NDSCS College Catalog |
The dual degree in Mental Health Care Associate and Occupational Therapy Assistant is offered to provide the student with more employment options. With the dual degree the graduate will be prepared to accept employment in mental health settings in both roles - as a Mental Health Care Associate or an Occupational Therapy Assistant. If the place of employment needs the services of either profession only part-time, the graduate could fill both roles.
The Mental Health Care Associate program is designed to prepare entry-level mental health care/human service practitioners to provide high-quality care and services in a variety of settings. This curriculum also will provide students with the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to advance in their profession. Students will participate in both classroom and field experiences that are intended to provide them a generalist-model foundation in helping people. This program of study also has the flexibility to allow students to tailor their educational experience with the client population of their choice.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed to prepare students to work as occupational therapy assistants in a variety of delivery systems, including, but not limited to: acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, developmental centers, school systems, long-term care facilities and community-based programs. OT personnel assess, utilize and adapt everyday occupations to improve daily living skills, promote health and wellness, and enhance independence in the daily occupations of the clients. The COTA provides intervention strategies under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist.
The OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE’s telephone number at AOTA is (301) 652-2682.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. *
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Care Associate Core Courses | ||
| SWK 200 | Introduction to Helping Skills | 3 |
| SWK 256 | Development of Social Welfare | 3 |
| MEHC 221 | Fundamentals of Case Management | 3 |
| MEHC 262 | Mental Health Management | 3 |
| **MEHC 265 | Service Learning Practicum | 4 |
| TOTAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE CREDITS | 16 | |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant Core Courses | ||
| OTA 101 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OTA 102 | Behavioral Health: Theory/Practice Children and Adolescents | 2 |
| OTA 111 | Introduction to Muscle Function | 1 |
| OTA 112 | Documentation | 2 |
| OTA 113 | Physical Disabilities: Theory/Practice | 5 |
| OTA 120 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| OTA 121 | Disability Awareness | 1 |
| OTA 141 | Therapeutic Media | 2 |
| OTA 154 | Fieldwork Level I: Experience I | 1 |
| OTA 214 | Pediatrics: Theory/Practice | 5 |
| OTA 215 | Behavioral Health: Theory/Practice Adults | 3 |
| OTA 216 | Professional Issues | 2 |
| OTA 217 | Orientation to Fieldwork Level II | 1 |
| OTA 218 | Aging | 2 |
| OTA 219 | Community Models of OT Practice | 2 |
| OTA 253 | Fieldwork Level I - Practicum | 1 |
| OTA 254 | Fieldwork Level II - Experience I | 6 |
| OTA 255 | Fieldwork Level II - Experience II | 6 |
| OTA 256 | Seminar | 1 |
| Optional OTA Courses: | ||
| OTA 241 | Therapeutic Media: Teaching Assistant | 2 |
| OTA 220 | Medical Terminology: Teaching Assistant | 2 |
| TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATE CREDITS | 48 (52) | |
| Related/General Education Courses | ||
| BIOL 115 | Human Structure and Function | 3 |
| BIOL 115L | Human Structure and Function Lab | 1 |
| CIS 101 | Computer Literacy | 2 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Humanities elective | 3 | |
| HPER 210 | First Aid and CPR | 2 |
| HPER 217 | Personal and Community Health | 3 |
| ***MATH 102 | Intermediate Algebra | 3 |
| Math or Science elective | 4 | |
| PHIL 210 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSYC 100 | Human Relations in Organizations | 2 |
| PSYC 105 | Relationships and Self-Esteem | 2 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 270 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 299 | Addictions and Alternatives | 1 |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 220 | Family | 3 |
| TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDTIS | 53 | |
| **20 hour volunteer and written reflection required prior to experience. | ||
| ***Prerequisite may be required as determined by COMPASS testing. | ||
The applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent. Helpful courses to prepare for this program include: basic sciences, biology or anatomy, social sciences, psychology, communication skills, including computer literacy. Applicants may be required to complete a basic skills evaluation during the admissions process. Applicants are invited to visit the programs. To set up an appointment or for more information, please call toll free 1-800-342-4325, ext. 3-2981 or e-mail.
Students interested in transferring to a four year undergraduate program will find completion of the Mental Health Care Associate program will provide them with a number of options. Many students have successfully transferred into accredited Social Work programs at a number of colleges and universities.
Students interested in an entry-level master’s degree in OT can articulate with the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND.
Upon successful completion of the required courses, students will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Mental Health Care Associate and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
*See OTA program for more information.
