Admission Requirements

Thank you for your interest in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Del Mar College. The application deadline is July 15th for fall admission.

Students are accepted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program based on a ranking point system. The OTA Program accepts up to 20 students each year.

To be considered for admission into the program, the student must submit all required admission documentation via email at ApplyOTA@delmar.edu or in-person at the Allied Health Department, Windward Campus, Health Science Building 2, Room 128 by no later than 5:00pm on July 15th. Del Mar College Campuses close on Fridays at 12:30. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for admission to the program for that year. No exceptions. (If July 15th falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the deadline to submit the application will be 5:00pm on the next available business day.)

To apply for admission to the program, you must complete all the following steps below:

1. Complete the required prerequisite coursework.
2. A minimum cumulative (overall) 2.5 GPA is required.
3. Submit evidence of a total of 10 hours of observation in the occupational therapy field.
4. Submit all required documents as listed on the OTA Program Application Checklist
5. To request a complete copy of the OTA Program Admissions Procedures and required documents, please contact the Allied Health Department at 361-698-2820 or complete the program interest eform .

After program acceptance, the student must submit a completed physical examination which includes the complete Hepatitis B series, all college transcripts included Del Mar College and a current card of completion in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers which must be maintained throughout the program. Upon enrollment, the student must pass a background check and drug screen test, at student's expense, for security clearance and continued enrollment in the program.

Further information will be provided for accepted applicants during the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program orientation.

Contact the Allied Health Department for more information at 361-698-2820 or the OTA Program Director at 361-698-1846.

Point System

After all admission criteria have been satisfied, a point system will be utilized for selection. The higher the student’s grades, the higher the points earned. The students will be ranked by points accumulated and the top 20 ranked students will be selected for the Occupational Therapy Assistant class. The 21st through 25th students will be alternates.

Former Education

• Degree earned from a regionally accredited institution (5 pts)

Cumulative GPA

Points earned equals GPA multiplied by 5 (maximum possible 20 pts)

Prerequisites

Points earned are based on grades. The higher the student’s grades, the higher the points earned. See a program advisor for more details on the points system.

• ENGL 1301 Composition I
• BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2404 will be accepted if previously taken)
• HPRS 1106 Medical Terminology
• HPRS 1204 Basic Health Professions Skills

Program Curriculum

• PSYC 2301 General Psychology
• PSYC 2314 Human Growth and Development
• Humanities/Visual Performing Arts
• SPCH Speech Elective

Work Experience

• OT Aide 6 months full time or 12 months part time (2 points, other 1 point)

Residency Status

• South Texas Resident (1 point)