Course Descriptions

OTA working with cheerful elderly woman.

Course Descriptions

illustration - OTA assisting client with exersize ball.

The College of the Canyons Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students to become skilled, compassionate, and competent OTAs. Our courses blend interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and immersive fieldwork experiences, equipping students with the knowledge and practical skills required to support clients of all ages and abilities. Students will explore topics such as therapeutic intervention, clinical reasoning, activity analysis, and evidence-based practice. Each course is thoughtfully designed to align with industry and ACOTE standards and prepare graduates for success on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

Semester 1 (Fall)

OTA 100
Introduction to Occupational Therapy: Theory and Practice | 2 units
Introduces the history and core principles of Occupational Therapy. Students will explore key theories and practices within the field and examine various frames of reference and their applications. The course highlights the role of diversity in occupational therapy education and practice and examines how occupational therapy services are provided across different settings and populations. Field trips may be required. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA 110
Introduction to Activity Analysis & Documentation | 1.5 units
Explores the principles of activity analysis, develops subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) documentation in Occupational Therapy. This course provides hands-on experience analyzing therapeutic activities applying the teaching/learning process in diverse clinical settings, while adhering to legal and ethical standards. Field trips may be required. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA 120
Biomechanics and Applied Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy | 3 units
Explores biomechanics, kinesiology, and motor and processing skills related to human movement, including joint structure, muscle function, and balance. Students will conduct biomechanical activity analyses to develop occupation-based interventions. Field trips may be required. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA 120L
Biomechanics and Applied Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy Lab | 1 unit
Provides hands-on experience in developing assessment skills and basic intervention methods for addressing biomechanical deficits and impairments. This course emphasizes practical applications through lab-based activities, fostering an analytical and problem-solving approach to functional human movement. Laboratory component of OTA-120. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA 130
Theory and Process in Neurological Disorders and Psychosocial Issues | 3 units
Explores the various aspects of neuroscience, focusing on motor and reflex development as well as sensory influences. Students will examine how client factors impact engagement in occupations throughout the lifespan and the role of neuromusculoskeletal and psychosocial factors in this process. Students will study the responsibilities of the Occupational Therapy Assistant in supporting individuals with mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, trauma histories, and dysregulated behaviors across different settings. The course will also involve completing a psychosocial activity analysis related to occupational performance. Field trips may be required. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA 130L
Theory and Process in Neurological Disorders and Psychosocial Issues Lab | 1 unit
Provides students with hands-on lab experiences to develop problem-solving skills with individuals facing mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, trauma histories, or dysregulated behaviors. Students will develop skills in group dynamics, client assessment, and basic intervention strategies for neuromusculoskeletal and psychosocial factors, including methods for remediation and compensation. Laboratory component of OTA-130. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA133
Level I Fieldwork in Neurological and Psychosocial Issues | 0.5 unit
Provides students with off-site fieldwork experiences to develop problem-solving skills with individuals facing mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, trauma histories, and/or dysregulated behaviors. Students will develop skills in group dynamics, client assessment, and basic intervention strategies for neuromusculoskeletal and psychosocial factors, including methods for remediation and compensation. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

Semester 2 (Spring)

OTA141
Conditions and Wellness in Occupational Therapy | 2 units
Introduces conditions and issues concerning health, illness, and wellness, as well as the impact of pathologic processes on individuals. Provides knowledge of various occupational contexts, Occupational Therapy services, and the scope of practice for Occupational Therapy Assistant. Field trips may be required. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA151
Advanced Clinical Documentation for Occupational Therapy | 1 unit
Develops clinical reasoning skills by applying various documentation formats required by different treatment settings and reimbursement systems. They will analyze the roles and responsibilities in documentation and evaluate the use of professional terminology and electronic medical records (EMR) in practice. Additionally, students will explore ethical and legal considerations related to the medical record. Through these experiences, they will also create accurate, professional documentation in compliance with industry standards. Field trips may be required. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA161
Pediatric Occupational Therapy: Theory and Practice in Developmental Disabilities and Conditions | 3 units
Explores foundational knowledge of developmental disabilities and common conditions of children and adolescents referred for occupational therapy. Students will consider the scope of occupational therapy, analyze the types of practice settings, and apply the role of the occupational therapy assistant in pediatrics and developmental disabilities. Students will also evaluate common frames of reference, examine evaluation tools and procedures, and synthesize intervention strategies used in pediatric occupational therapy practice. Field trips may be required. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA161L
Pediatric Occupational Therapy: Theory and Practice in Developmental Disabilities and Conditions Lab | 1 unit
Provides hands-on lab experiences where students will analyze developmental disabilities and pediatric conditions while applying intervention methods and strategies for the remediation of and compensation for physical deficits and impairments in infants, children, and adolescents. Students will also create and evaluate tailored intervention plans based on specific case scenarios. This laboratory component is aligned with OTA-161. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA163
Level I Fieldwork in Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Conditions | 0.5 unit
Introduces off-site clinical practice for individuals with pediatric or developmental conditions that limit or affect engagement in occupation. As a participant observer, the student will integrate academic knowledge with the Occupational Therapy (OT) process in settings serving infants, children, and adolescent clients facing various occupational challenges and disabilities, while demonstrating professionalism and ethics throughout their experiences. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA171
Physical Dysfunction and Rehabilitation for Adults: Theory and Practice | 3.5 units
Provides students with an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy, covering the scope of the field, various practice settings, and commonly used frames of reference. Students will explore intervention strategies, standardized assessments, and the specific role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant in addressing physical dysfunctions in adults and older adults. Field trips may be required. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA171L
Physical Dysfunction and Rehabilitation for Adults: Theory and Practice Lab | 1 unit
Provides hands-on lab experiences where students will analyze physical disabilities and develop intervention methods and strategies for remediation of, and compensation for, physical deficits and impairments for the adult and older adult. Laboratory component of OTA-171. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

Semester 3 (Spring)

OTA173
Level I Fieldwork in Physical Dysfunction and Adult Rehabilitation | 0.5 unit
Introduces working with individuals experiencing physical dysfunction through off-site Level I Fieldwork experiences. As participant observers, the student integrates academic experiences with Occupational Therapy (OT) process in settings serving adult and older adult individuals with physical dysfunction in a variety of occupational challenges and degrees of disability. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA202
Management of Occupational Therapy Services | 1.5 units
Explores key management principles and techniques tailored to the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant. Students will learn the roles and functions of the supervisor and the supervisee, scheduling, billing, and quality improvement. Field trips may be required. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA212
Evidence-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy Interventions | 3 units
Analyzes therapeutic interventions that support purposeful activities (occupations) and will apply these interventions effectively, including family/caregiver training, environmental modifications, orthotics, prosthetics, assistive technology, and physical agent modalities. Students will evaluate the suitability of these methods in various contexts and will create individualized treatment plans that incorporate evidence-based techniques. Field trips may be required. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

Semester 4 (Fall)

OTA222L
Clinical Competency and Reasoning Skills Lab | 1 unit
Provides hands-on lab experiences where students will develop clinical reasoning skills for occupational therapy practice to meet professional standards and reimbursement guidelines, creates and implements therapeutic adaptations for the client and environment, and progresses in problem- solving skills necessary for occupational therapy practice. Admission to Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA232
Exam Preparation for Occupational Therapy Assistants | 1 unit
Prepares students for the National Exam for Occupational Therapy Assistants through targeted test-taking strategies, application of clinical and didactic knowledge to case study questions, and practice exams. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA233
OTA Level II Fieldwork: First Rotation | 6.25 units
Provides structured, supervised off-site fieldwork experience that integrates the application of occupational therapy skills with real-world clinical practice. Students work full-time for eight weeks in diverse clinical settings, focusing on clients with physical and psychosocial dysfunction. Students are required to attend a weekly seminar focused on reflective practice and professionalism. This course is one of two clinical rotations (or courses) designed to provide comprehensive fieldwork experience. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.

OTA243
OTA Level II Fieldwork: Second Rotation | 6.25 units
Provides structured, supervised off-site fieldwork experience that integrates the application of occupational therapy skills with real-world clinical practice. Students work full-time for eight weeks in diverse clinical settings, focusing on clients with physical and psychosocial dysfunction. Students are required to attend a weekly seminar focused on reflective practice and professionalism. This course is the second of two clinical rotations (or courses) designed to provide comprehensive fieldwork experience. Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required.