Hudson County Community College Offers New Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree Program
December 20, 2012
JERSEY CITY, N.J. / December 20, 2012 — Responding to a statewide need for trained and qualified occupational therapy assistants, Hudson County Community College is now offering an Associate in Science Degree program for Occupational Therapy Assistants.
The United States Department of Labor indicates that employment of Occupational Therapy Assistants will grow by 30% nationally between 2008 and 2018, and the New Jersey Department of Labor projects a 22.7% increase in employment for Occupational Therapy Assistants in New Jersey during the same period.
The HCCC Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed to prepare graduates to work with and help people of all ages who are challenged by disability, trauma, and/or aging by working collaboratively with a team under the supervision of an occupational therapist in healthcare, educational and other community settings.
The HCCC joint degree program is offered in partnership with the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) School of Health-Related Professions. Students complete 33 of the 75 credits with general education and required science courses at HCCC as a prerequisite to the 42 credits of professional coursework at UMDNJ.
Individuals who successfully complete the coursework will be eligible to take the exam for certification in this field by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Assistant within three months of graduation.
“Hudson County Community College is dedicated to developing and offering programs that will benefit our community with meaningful employment and with needed services,” said HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert. “This program will provide opportunities for individuals to pursue careers in a field with real growth potential, and it will help ensure that members of our community who need occupational therapy receive the quality, professional care they deserve.”