ADMISSION CRITERIA
Applications for the class of January 2013 are accepted until October 31, 2012. Applications through the Linkage Program are accepted until September 30, 2012.
Admission guidelines for the January 2014 and subsequent classes will change, effective January 2013. Note that the "Admission Requirements" remain the same, except for item "f."
New Guidelines for Class of January 2014 and Subsequent Classes (Effective January 2013):
1. The student must submit a complete and accurate application form directly to the OTA Program Director or an academic advisor at any of the college's campuses from September 1 through October 31 in order to be considered for admission into the class starting in January of each year.
Note: Following recommendations by the OTA Program Advisory Committee, twenty-one (21) seats for the January 2013 class were assigned by the end of November 2011 to the first 21 qualified applicants that were already on the January 2012 waiting list. The remainder of the qualified applicants on the waiting list will serve as alternates for the January 2013 class. As of November 1, 2012, any candidates from the waiting list who are still interested in applying for the January 2014 class and who were not accepted into the January 2013 class will be advised to submit a new application to the program during the application window discussed above.
2. Student applying through the Linkage Program estabablished with St. Petersburg College, Pasco-Hernando Community College, and Hillsborough Community College may apply from September 1 through September 30. Prospective linkage students may find detailed instructions in the Linkage Handbook available from the academic advisors at their respective colleges.
3. Twenty-four seats are allocated to qualified applicants.
4. The date and time of receipt are posted on the application form.
5. No application is considered if submitted before or after the admission window.
6. No application is considered until all necessary Polk State College admission documentation (application to Polk State College, high school transcripts, college transcripts if applicable, residency paperwork, etc.) has been received and processed by the Registrar's Office.
7. If the number of qualified applicants is less than or equal to the number of available seats, all applicants will automatically be accepted into the upcoming class. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available seats, selection of applicants will be conducted by lottery. The OTA Program Admission Committee draws the names of qualified applicants randomly from the available pool. Additionally, ten other applicants are designated as alternates.
8. Selected applicants and alternates are notified by mail by the second week of November.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Note: These guidelines also apply for the class starting in January 2013,
except for item "f."
1. Applicants must have the following admission criteria by the time of application:
- a) Admission to Polk State College as a degree-seeking student with all required admission documents received by the Registrar’s Office.
- b) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 upon application. Note: GPA only includes courses that are completed, graded, and that appear on the student’s college transcript.
- c) Completion of college preparatory courses.
- d) Completion of prerequisite courses with a C or higher, including:
- BSC 2085C: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- PSY 2012: General Psychology
- ENC 1101: College Composition I
- e) Completion of 20 hours of observation of occupational therapy services. Hours must be documented on the OTA Program Observation Hours Form.
- f) Applicants are recommended to submit a resume along with the application form. A template is available at www.polk.edu/ota under the “Forms” link.
2. Qualified candidates who are not admitted into the program must reapply for the next year by submitting a new application form during the designated application window.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Note: These guidelines also apply for the class starting in January 2013.
The following requirements are to be completed no later than the first day of class by students admitted into the program, and documentation is to be submitted directly to the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator:
2. Completion of all immunization and communicable disease screenings, including a Tuberculosis PPD, Tetanus vaccination or booster within the last 5 years, MMR vaccine (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) or an MMR titer, a Varicella titer, and a Hepatitis B vaccination (optional, but recommended)
3. Certification in CPR (current)
4. Certification in AIDS/HIV precautions (4 hours)
The following requirements are to be completed by a designated date in April, and before the summer fieldwork rotations:
1. Submission of a Level II Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background check
2. Completion of drug screening (10 panel)
These admission requirements need to be updated by students every year. Information regarding the completion of these additional admission requirements is provided by the faculty during the orientation meeting scheduled in November.
Who to Contact?
For further information on the admission process and program curriculum, contact Saritza Guzmán-Sardina at 863-669-2905 or sguzman-sardina@polk.edu
Posted February 27, 2012
Revised April 18, 2012
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