Pre-Professional Program, Occupational Therapy Assistant

Pre-Professional Program

UWA has a linkage program in cooperation with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama, in various fields of allied health. Students complete academic course work at UWA, then apply to transfer to the professional phase of the program at Wallace State Community College. Students completing the program will be awarded the associate degree from Wallace State. Acceptance into the clinical phase is on a competitive basis as students throughout the state compete for available positions. Students should see UWA Health Linkage Coordinator for additional information.

All associate degree programs at Wallace State require completion of the following courses at UWA with a grade of “C” or higher in each course counted toward the degree:

• BY 101. Principles of Biology (4)
• BY 231. Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
• BY 232. Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
• EH 101. Written English I (3)
• EH 102. Written English II (3)
• MH 113. Precalculus Algebra (3)
• PY 100. General Psychology (3)
• SH 100. Principles of Public Speaking (3)
• UWA 101. Freshman Seminar (2)
• Humanities/Fine Arts Elective (3)

Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant, under the direction of an Occupational Therapist, assists in evaluating patients and in developing a plan of selected tasks to restore, influence or enhance performance of individuals whose abilities to cope with daily living tasks are impaired or threatened by developmental deficits, the aging process, physical injury or illness, learning disabilities, or psychological and social disabilities.

Occupational therapy assistants are employed in general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health care agencies, private practices, and other specialized health care settings.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants.