Occupational therapy assistant classes at Ross campuses in Hopkinsville, KY.
ACOTE’s Disclosure Statement regarding Probationary Accreditation Action: The occupational therapy assistant program at Ross College in Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was placed on Probationary Accreditation effective March 23, 2024, because the area of noncompliance related to 2018 Standard A.6.4 (certification exam pass rate) is so serious that the capability of the program to provide acceptable educational experiences for the students is threatened. The program has been requested to submit a Progress Report to return the program to full compliance with the Standards within the mandated time period for correction.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree program can prepare you for the opportunity to help improve the quality of a person’s life and ability to perform daily activities through rehabilitative exercises and activities. Working as part of a rehabilitation team and under the supervision of an occupational therapist, you will find occupational therapy assistants in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, home health care, early intervention, school systems, and psychiatric hospitals.
The goal of occupational therapy is to help clients return to every day activities such as work, play, leisure, and home activities. In order to accomplish this, occupational therapy assistants think creatively to help clients with disabilities.
Occupational therapy assistants work alongside and under the supervision of occupational therapists. They assist occupational therapy clients as they relearn and develop typical daily life skills like eating, getting dressed, working, driving, etc. Occupational therapy assistants can be found in a variety of settings and working with many different types of patients.
Some choose to work with the elderly in their homes, nursing homes, or clinics. Others work with children, helping them to expand their skills in accomplishing fundamental activities. Still others may decide to work with patients that have disabilities that challenge their ability to perform necessary tasks.
Students enrolled in the Ross Occupational Therapy Assistant program are required to successfully complete two different fieldwork components. The first fieldwork experience is a one week full time observation based experience in a psychosocial setting. This one week fieldwork is scheduled during the same month as Intervention in Mental Health allowing students to apply academic principles to real world settings. Once students have completed all academic courses, students are required to complete two 2-month full time fieldwork experiences.
This fieldwork experience allows students to follow and learn from experienced, well respected occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapists. Not only do students build necessary clinical skills, but more importantly gain valuable patient interaction skills. In summary, the four months of fieldwork allows students to apply academic principles to real patient care. The combination of the academic coursework and the fieldwork experience serve as an appropriate starting point for students to pass the certification exam allowing them to be practicing occupational therapy assistants.
Once a student successfully completes the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Ross, they are eligible to take the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In order to be able to work as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, graduates must take and successfully pass the exam.
In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
NBCOT Certification Examination Performance: For information pertaining to the most recent OTA graduates on the national certification examination, please refer to https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.
The total number of graduates from Ross College – Quad Cities/Bettendorf, Iowa, campus for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three-year period of 2021-2023 was 24 with an overall graduation rate of 80%.
The total number of graduates from the Ross College – Hopkinsville, Kentucky, campus for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three-year period of 2021-2023* was 38 with an overall graduation rate of 83%.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering / Graduates | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15/13 | 86% |
| 2022 | 10/6 | 60% |
| 2023 | 5/5 | 100% |
| Total | 30/24 | 80% |
| Graduation Year | Students Entering / Graduates | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19/15 | 79% |
| 2022 | 20/18 | 90% |
| 2023 | 7/5 | 71% |
| Total | 46/38 | 83% |
An Associate of Applied Science Degree will be awarded to each student who successfully:
| Program | Credit Hour | Program Length (Quarters) | Tuition per Credit Hour | General Fee | Total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 96 | 8 | $411.00 | $0.00 | $39,456.00 |
* There is an optional technology kit that would add $395.00 to the cost of the program if selected. Published fees for the program are subject to change
Ross College Official 3 year Cohort Default Rate (for all campuses under the main campus of Ross Medical Education Center – Brighton, MI) for 2020 is [0.0].
The Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Program at Ross College – Ross College Hopkinsville and Ross College Quad Cities locations accredited by The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (Acote).
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 652-2682 acoteonline.org
I'm a single mother of 3 and work full time. I came to the point of my life where I was ready to change my profession and do something that will better our lives. So I was looking around at different schools, calling around seeing what they offer. Then my mom told me about Ross. I was nervous of course, but I called and the gentleman I talked to was so upbeat and supportive. Made me feel like they were really willing to help me out. I set up an interview with the school and I met with Brandi. Brandi is amazing!! She was so friendly and listened to all of my needs and wants. I started school in May 2018, of course I was nervous, but everyone helped me out with all of my questions. Every time I walk in for class, they are always so friendly and knew my name from day one. I was in the evening MA program. My teacher was very helpful and if I needed help they would sit down with me and work one-on-one. I'm now on my externship with the school. I'm at an ENT and I love it! I'm so glad I took the step and called Ross because now I see everything I learned in school coming out everyday and realize every day that my life will be for the better with this career.
Alycia Murdie Graduate Medical Assistant student at Knoxville, TN campus Graduation: January 23, 2019
Before I started Ross, I was looking to further my education, but was struggling financially. Ross makes sure that they help you be able to afford their program. Ross has a great cheerful staff here and their main priority is to make sure their students succeed. This program helps students become one step closer to their career goals. My personal experience here has been great and I wouldn't change it.
Abbie Franklin Graduate Medical Assistant student at Ontario, OH campus Graduation: March 27, 2019
I thank Ross for everything that they have done, from the first time I stepped foot on their campus. I was so afraid, but not so much of starting school, but afraid of failure. That was my biggest fear until talking with one of the school's administrators. She made me feel so comfortable in becoming a student at Ross. Once I started and met my teachers it became so easy. They took time out to help me when I didn't understand things, which made it that much easier. Once I got to my externship I was so excited yet afraid at the same time. However, where they sent me for my externship is where I wanted to go and upon completion, I am very proud to say that I got hired and I am still working there to this day! Ross helped me with my career so much that I enrolled in the online school for Ross and received my associates degree. It was hard being a full-time mom, employee, and student, but I did it and so can you, thanks to Ross and its amazing team!
Shayla Hall Graduate Medical Assistant student at Portage, MI campus Graduation: November 9, 2016
I chose Ross Medical Education Center for schooling because I was looking for a great place to learn and start a fantastic career path. Before attending Ross, I was not sure which medical career path I wanted to enroll in. I toured the school and the administrative staff told me a little bit about each class offered. I decided to join the Dental Assistant program. Throughout the course, Ross Medical Education Center went above and beyond to make sure each student had everything they needed in order to be successful. My learning experience at Ross was exceptional! I learned so much more than I had anticipated. Ross is very hands-on and allows students to practice clinically in school and practice during externship at a medical office. I really enjoy that the school gives students the opportunity and benefit of learning "on-site" and being a part of a co-worker team. While I was on externship, I gained working confidence and efficiency on the things I was taught in school. I was able to get my radiology certification while on externship and I am now able to take x-rays on patients when needed. I've also been able to assist the dentist on procedures, sterilize instruments, set up trays and operatories. Overall, I think Ross Medical Education Center was a great school choice! I could not ask for a better school to help me prepare and start a great career! I would recommend Ross schools to anyone wanting to start a career in the medical field.
Paige White Graduate Dental Assistant student at Brighton, MI campus Graduation: November 25, 2019
I chose Ross because being in the medical field has always been a passion of mine. I have learned so many things at Ross. It has given me the opportunity to get hands-on learning in the lab.
Desiree Bridenbaugh Graduate Medical Assistant student at Dayton, OH campus Graduation: June 25, 2019
