WELCOME
Western New Mexico University Occupational Therapy
Assistant Program admitted its’ first class in 1993,
making it the oldest Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program in New Mexico. Since its inception, the Occupational
Therapy Assistant Program has graduated over 200 students.
Graduates of the Program can be found in many different
work setting and in many different roles: school
based clinicians, skilled nursing facilities, home
health providers, community based practitioners, service
delivery management, case management, outpatient clinics,
early intervention specialists, developmental specialists,
senior center coordinator, just to mention a few.
Mission of the Occupational Therapy
Assistant Program
Consistent with the missions of Western New Mexico
University, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance
and the Department of Allied Health, the Occupational
Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program prepares students
to meet the challenges of providing entry-level occupational
therapy services in established and emerging areas
of practice. Emphasis is placed on cultural diversity,
rural and regional healthcare, an appreciation for
life-long learning, and effective implementation of
evidence based practice.
Accreditation
The OTA Program is fully accredited
by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy
Education ( ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy
Association (AOTA) (www.aota.org)
located at 4720 Montgomery Lane P.O. Box 31220 Bethesda,
MD 20824-1220 ( #301 652-2682 or TDD 1-800-377-8555).
Certification
Graduates of the program receive
an Associate of Science Degree and are eligible to
sit for the national certification exam administered
by National Board for Certification in Occupational
Therapy (www.nbcot.org ). After successful completion
of this exam, they receive the title of Certified
Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
Our
Student Success Rates
Over the past three years (2006, 2007, 2008), thirty-four
students took the National Certification examination
for Occupational Therapy Assistants. Thirty of them
passed that exam their first attempt (88%). Over the
past 15 years, we have had an overall pass rate of
97%.
Licensure
Many states have some form of regulation in order
to practice. In New Mexico occupational therapy personnel
must be licensed with the New Mexico Board of Examiners
for Occupational Therapy. For more information about
New Mexico licensure go to (http://www.rld.state.nm.us/OccupationalTherapy/index.html
).
To
contact the Allied Health Department
Call 575-574-5170 or contact
Gwen Cassel.
To
Admissions
Call 575-538-6000 or request
admissions information
