Occupational Therapy Assistant Application Steps

Admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ (CWI) is competitive and requires a supplemental application process as outlined below.

Program Application Period

Fall 2026

  • Applications open Feb. 15.

  • Priority Deadline: March 15

8364 1. Review Qualifications

Applicants to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program must be 18 years of age, have a clean background, and may be subject to vaccination requirements as outlined below.

Background Check

Admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check for students accepted into the program. 

  • A clean background check is required for full admission into the program and must be completed annually for continued enrollment.
  • Students are responsible for the requesting and payment of the background check as well as handling any disputes that arise. 
  • Background checks performed for previous employment may not be used for admission into the program.

Vaccinations

While vaccinations are not required to enroll at CWI or join the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, some of our partner healthcare organizations may require them for clinical rotations or externships, which are necessary to complete the program. Efforts will be made to secure a placement for each student; however, a site that does not require vaccinations cannot be guaranteed, which may delay or prevent completion of the program and may limit employment opportunities after graduation. CWI maintains an exemption process for medical conditions, disabilities, or religious beliefs, which are currently accepted by a number of partner organizations for the purposes of student placement.

Student Handbook

For a copy of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Handbook, please contact Mel Henderson

8364 2. Apply to CWI

Connect with Admissions

8364 3. Complete Classes

Grades for completed, in-progress, and planned classes required for program admission will be reported on your Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application. 

Program Admission Requirements

To be eligible for acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, you must complete the following classes with a C or higher:

  • ENGL 101 Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1)
  • PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology (GEM 6)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology*
    • Option 1
      • BIOL 226 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Plus
      • BIOL 227P Human Anatomy & Physiology I
      • BIOL 227L Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
    • Option 2
      • BIOL 227 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
      • BIOL 227L Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 

*Must have been completed within the last five (5) years.

General Education Requirements

While not required for entry into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, completion of the following classes with a C or higher can increase your ranking points on your application.

  • COMM 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication
8364 4. Provide Unofficial Transcripts

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide a copy of your unofficial transcripts with all program admission requirements, general education requirements, and previous degrees highlighted. 

  • If you have attended or are currently attending CWI, access your unofficial transcript via your Self-Service Toolkit on myCWI.
  • Unofficial transcripts from other colleges or universities may be obtained by contacting the institution directly.
8364 5. Obtain Professional References

As part of your application, you will be asked to provide two (2) professional references.

  • References must be a supervisor, manager, instructor, or coworker. 
  • Each of your chosen reference will complete an OTA Professional Reference Form.
  • Upon completion, the reference will seal the form in an envelope, sign their name across the seal for official recognition, and return the sealed envelope to you for submission with your application.
8364 6. Prepare a Cover Letter & Resume

Prepare a 500 – 1,000 word cover letter answering the following questions: 

  • Why are you interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy?
  • How do you believe occupation factors into the pursuit of a meaningful life? 

In addition to a cover letter, please prepare to include an up-to-date resume with your application. 

8364 7. Apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Upon completion of Steps 1 – 6, you are now ready to officially apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application

  • Your completed and signed application, along with any required materials, should be sealed in an envelope and submitted to One Stop Student Services in-person or by mail by the deadline.
    • Applicants who submit their application by the priority deadline will receive up to five (5) additional points on their application.
  • Please write your full name and Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application on the envelope.
  • Do not staple any of the documents within your application.
  • Only complete applications will be considered.
  • Additional materials or additions to your application will not be accepted upon submission.
  • Each fall, 15 students are admitted into the program.
    • Applicants not admitted may be placed on an alternate list should an opening occur. 
    • Applicants must reapply each semester.
8364 8. Participate in Orientation & Interview

All applicants to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program are required to participate in a mandatory orientation and panel interview following submission of their application. Dates and details of each will be communicated via email to applicants. 

  • Orientation will be held over Zoom. 
  • Following orientation, a panel interview is scheduled with each applicant.
  • The panel interviews will take place in May.

Questions?

headshot role additional location
Revision_id: 196351
Photo of Sabina Omair
Department Chair, Medical Assistant
208.562.2409
sabinaomair@cwi.edu
CCMA
Revision_id: 196351
Photo of Mel Henderson
Program Director/Instructor, Occupational Therapy Assistant
208.562.2746
melhenderson@cwi.edu
MS, OTR/L, MBA
Revision_id: 196351
208.562.3000
onestop@cwi.edu