How to Apply

The OTA Program Application Process

To be considered for admission to the OTA Program, the prospective student must:

 

  1. + Attend a Zoom information session.

    A student interested in applying should start by attending a Zoom information session.

    Click below for session dates.

  2. + Review the following information regarding the requirements for program admission:

    1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for acceptance.
    2. The student must have completed the following courses with a prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or higher: ENC 1101 College Composition I, PSY 2012 General Psychology, BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I, and BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
        • [Note: BSC 2085C or BSC 2086C must be successfully completed within five years of the application date. If a student has successfully completed a higher-level course than the stated prerequisite, the OTA Selection Committee reviews the coursework to determine if the class can be used to meet the requirement.]
    3. Complete a drug test and a Level II Background Check.
      • [Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to attain a state license. Anyone who has a felony conviction is required to meet with the OTA Program Director before applying to the program.]
    4. Review the OTA Program Essential Requirements, including the technical skills and other abilities necessary for program and career success.

  3. + Complete the following tasks

    To apply to the Polk State College OTA Program, the student must:

    1. Be admitted to Polk State College, with all forms, transcripts and materials submitted.
      • A student who has never attended Polk State College must complete the Polk State College Admission Process before applying to the OTA Program. This includes completing the College’s Online Orientation, submitting transcripts to the Registrar’s Office, and obtaining a Polk State College student email account.
      • Transcripts and admission documentation must be submitted and processed by the Registrar’s Office before applying to the OTA Program.
        [Note: This process takes approximately six to eight weeks; the student is advised to complete this step well in advance of the application period.]
      • A student who is transferring must follow the information provided by the Registrar’s Office.
    2. Complete the required prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or better in each class, obtain a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5 GPA or higher, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
    3. Complete Program-related Observation Hours. The student should use the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program: Observation Hours Form to document completion of the observation hours and answer the associated reflection and informational questions.
    4. Complete the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application Questions Form. These questions address the profession and relate to an informational career video. The form and its responses must be submitted as part of the application process.
    5. Submit an up-to-date resume during the application period.
      [Note: If  needed, the student can use this Resume Template to assist with developing a document for submission.]
    6. Review the OTA Program  Essential Requirements List, which includes the technical skills and other abilities necessary for program and career success.
    7. Attend an informational session about the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

     

  4. + Submit a completed Polk State College OTA Program Application

    Submit a completed Polk State College OTA Program Application (including the question form, observation hours, and resume) through Etrieve and await information regarding candidate selections. [Note: The Google Chrome browser is recommended.]

    1. All applicants (including Linkage and Veteran Student applicants) must complete the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application and the required materials.
      [Note: With respect and gratitude for all U.S. Military veterans, the OTA Program reserves two seats with each cohort for Veteran Students (and their dependents). The Veterans Agreement provides more information about this initiative. A Veteran Student seeking more information may review the Veteran Information page on the Polk State College website or contact the Veterans’ Office for assistance with applying (veterans@polk.edu).]
    2. After the OTA Selection Committee meets, decisions are sent to the Polk State College email address provided on the application. The Selection Committee meets approximately two weeks after the application window closes. The student should be sure to check the email junk and spam folders for information regarding the application.
    3. A potential applicant who would like more information is encouraged to email the OTA Program Team (OTA@polk.edu).

    [Note: Polk State College reserves the right to make changes to the OTA Program admission criteria as circumstances require. Every reasonable effort is made to communicate program changes to interested students.

  5. + Selection Process

    The Selection Process

    Prospective Linkage Program Candidates:

    • Two seats are allocated to prospective candidates from Pasco-Hernando State College and Hillsborough Community College who apply via the Linkage Program. A Prospective Linkage Student applicant may find detailed instructions in the Linkage Handbook available from an Academic Advisor at the respective college.
    • The Linkage Student must complete a general Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application prior to April 15, and submit the Linkage Program documents.
    • The application window for Linkage Student candidates opens at 9:00 a.m. on February 1; it closes on April 15. Selected candidates are notified via electronic mail shortly after April 15.
    • Linkage applicants may submit the electronic application only after meeting with an Academic Advisor at the home college to initiate the Linkage Transmittal Form. The Linkage Transmittal Form must be submitted to Polk State’s Registrar’s Office by April 15. A Linkage Student applicant who neglects to follow this process cannot be considered for admission, and his or her application is not acknowledged.
    • No application may be considered until all necessary Polk State College admission documents have been received and processed by the Registrar’s Office (e.g., application to Polk State College, high school transcripts, college transcripts (if applicable), residency paperwork).
    • Preference is given to the Linkage Student with a higher GPA if more than one qualified applicant from the same institution applies for the same Linkage Program seat.
    • Unused Linkage Program seats revert to usage by General Admission students.

    The Veterans Agreement for Prospective Veteran Students:

    • Two seats are allocated on a first-come, first-qualified basis to prospective qualified veterans (and their dependents) who are enrolled at Polk State College. A Veteran Student applicant must meet with the Coordinator of Veteran Services to determine eligibility before initiating the application process.
    • After establishing eligibility, the student must meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the criteria for program admission have been met.
    • The Veteran Student must also complete a general Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application and all materials prior to April 15.
    • The Academic Advisor then forwards the qualified application and related documents (e.g., Veteran Transmittal Form, OTA Program: Observation Hours Form, student resume, transcripts) directly to the OTA Program Director by April 15.
    • If more than two qualified applicants apply for the Veterans Agreement seats, preference is given to the individuals with the highest GPAs. In the event that two applicants have the same GPA, the seat is assigned to the student who applied first (based on the date and time posted on the OTA Program Application).
    • The two selected Veteran applicants are notified via email shortly after May 1.
    • Any Veteran Student who is not selected for the Veterans Agreement seats has the opportunity to apply again through the General Admission process from May 1 through May 31. A new application must be submitted to be considered through this method.
    • Unassigned Veterans Agreement seats revert to usage by General Admission students.

    General Admission:

    • The remaining seats that are not allocated through the Linkage Program or Veterans Agreement are allocated to qualified students through the General Admission process. A maximum of 24 students are accepted into each OTA Program cohort (based on space availability and other factors).
    • Up to ten additional applicants may be designated as alternates.
    • The application window for General Admission opens February 1 at 9:00 a.m. and remains open until May 31.

    The General Selection Process:

    The OTA Selection Committee utilizes a point system as a guide in the selection of qualified students for the OTA Program. Areas evaluated by the Committee include overall college GPA, prerequisite GPA, Polk County residency, related experiences in the field, and corequisite and General Education courses that have been completed.

    • No application will be considered until all necessary Polk State College admission documents have been received by the Registrar’s Office (e.g., application to Polk State College, high school transcripts, college transcripts (if applicable), residency paperwork).
    • Selected candidates and alternates for General Admission are notified via the Polk State College email on the application in mid-June. The applicant should check his or her account, as well as the junk folder, for this message.
    • Each student admitted into the OTA Program must attend the required New Student Orientation Day.  This event’s date and time are indicated in the acceptance notice sent to the Polk State College email.

    [Note:  An OTA Program student may be required to travel up to (or greater than) 60 miles to clinical sites for program-related training and experiences. A prospective student seeking more information is encouraged to contact the Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Team (OTA@polk.edu).]