FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama’s occupational therapy assistant baccalaureate program has been granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
The approval allows UNA to admit its first cohort of OTA students in January and marks a step toward addressing workforce needs in North Alabama and beyond.
“We are honored by ACOTE’s recognition of our program’s strengths and grateful for their guidance throughout this process,” said Dr. Laura Smith, OTA program director. “This program will not only prepare students for fulfilling careers, but also enhance access to occupational therapy services in our region, ultimately improving quality of life for individuals and communities.”
After a review of the candidacy application, ACOTE recognized several strengths of UNA’s OTA program, including its placement within the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and strong community partnerships.
The program will be the only OTA program in North Alabama, offering a local pathway for students who wish to pursue this growing healthcare career without relocating.
The UNA OTA program is one of only a few OTA programs in the nation offered at the bachelor’s degree level, providing students with expanded academic and professional opportunities. Its spiral curriculum is designed to revisit and build upon key concepts throughout the program, helping students retain and apply knowledge more effectively.
Graduates of the program will also have the unique advantage of a seamless transition into UNA’s Occupational Therapy Master’s Program – also launching within the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions – without the need for a separate “bridge” program. This creates a streamlined pathway from OTA to OT, allowing students to advance their careers more efficiently while continuing their education in a familiar, supportive environment.
With dedicated learning space, such as a sensory gym/pediatric lab, a working apartment, multi-purpose treatment areas and classrooms, and a fully equipped simulation center, the OTA program will provide innovative, hands-on training in collaboration with UNA’s well-established nursing and respiratory programs.
Graduates will be prepared to meet the demand for occupational therapy services in hospitals, clinics, schools, and community-based settings. The program now moves forward to the preaccreditation review and self-study phase, with full accreditation review to follow.
For more information about the OTA program, click here, or contact Smith at [email protected].
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