Polk State OTA Program awarded highest level of reaccreditation
For the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program, the proof is in the pudding. The most recent ingredient came in the form of maximum-length reaccreditation.
For the second straight accreditation cycle, the OTA Program earned a 10-year accreditation – the highest possible – through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Founded more than 25 years ago, the program now isn’t due for another on-site evaluation until the 2034-35 Academic Year.
“This is what everyone hopes for when they go through the accreditation process,” said Annette Bullard, OTA Program Director. “This really helps our students stand out.”
The ACOTE accreditation process is an extensive one to make sure standards and expectations are being met. In addition to a three-day on-site evaluation, ACOTE interviews all OTA faculty, staff and students as well as employers of graduates and clinical sites where Polk State students learn.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Bullard exclaimed. “Everyone worked so hard. This shows our long track record. It shows applicants and the community that our program is strong and stable.”
With three full-time faculty members and one adjunct professor, the OTA Program accepts up to 24 students per year. It is currently amid its application period which runs throughout September and offering virtual info sessions weekly for individuals interested in the program.
“All four of us strongly believe in preparing future professionals who will one day take our place,” Bullard added. “Everyone in the field is caring for someone else’s loved ones and we really stress that to our students and make sure they take that very seriously.”
Prospective applicants should review the How to Apply information and note that they must be admitted to Polk State College and complete observation hour requirements before applying for the limited-access OTA Program. Veterans of the U.S. Military may also benefit from two reserved seats within the program and should email veterans@polk.edu for assistance with the veteran application.
“The OTA team of Director Bullard, and coordinators Lucerito Gonzalez and Lindsey Vera all worked extremely hard throughout the process from self-study to on-site visit,” said Beth Luckett, Dean of Health Professions. “To get the maximum award that a program can receive, I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Polk State’s Health Sciences programs will also benefit from the Haines City-Davenport Campus. Located in the county’s fastest-growing area, the planned 75,000-square-foot facility will house classroom, laboratory, and office spaces to support workforce training in Health Sciences among other programs and general education courses. It will also house the first interdisciplinary simulation hospital in Central Florida.
Polk State OTA’s graduates boasted nearly an 86% three-year aggregate pass rate on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam, exceeding state averages. Over the last several years, Bullard has made it a point to connect students with the community. This summer, the OTA Program launched a partnership with The Mission to help the Winter Haven nonprofit’s clients acquire new skills or to translate existing skills to into work-readiness that allows them to reintegrate into the community.
“We’re committed to excellence,” Bullard concluded. “We’ve built in more community-based learning. We partner with entities within our community on projects that make a difference. Our students learn through real-life situations with real people.”