Earn a two-year occupational therapy assistant degree close to home at Southern State Community College

Earn your Associate Degree In Occupational Therapy Assistant through Shawnee State University and Southern State Community College

Early Acceptance Deadline: January 15, 2025

Don't wait to find out if you've been accepted! If you have at least a 3.0 GPA for statistics or algebra, chemistry, and biology, complete the application process by Jan. 15 and we will notify you of your acceptance by Feb. 1, 2025!

Occupational Therapy Assistants help people of all ages gain the skills they need for daily living and working. OTA's are in high demand and you can start your rewarding career in just two years.

Our special dual enrollment partnership with Southern State Community College is making our accredited OTA degree more accessible for students in southwest Ohio. All classes in this dual enrollment program are held at Southern State Community College.

News + Highlights

SSU’s Master of Occupational Therapy program teams up with AAA7 to Present Award-Winning “Fall-Free Fridays” Livestream

Shawnee State University’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program and the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) are once again joining together to provide falls prevention education to the community through a Facebook livestream series, “Fall-Free Fridays.”

SSU Master of Occupational Therapy program recognized with Aging Achievement Award for partnership with AAA7

Shawnee State University’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program has been recognized with a 2024 Aging Achievement Award from USAging for its partnership with the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7).

SSU OTA Students doing activities with seniors

Shawnee State OTA students partner with USSA Adult Day Center to provide senior activities

Students enrolled in the Shawnee State University Occupational Therapy Assistant program (OTA) recently partnered with the USSA Adult Day Center located on Market Street in Portsmouth, Ohio to provide occupational learning and engage in therapeutic activities with the seniors in attendance.

Finding a wealth of experience in SSU’s Master of Occupational Therapy program

A native of Rockwood, Michigan, Zayden Rinehart is pursuing a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Shawnee State University.

Shawnee State University Master of Occupational Therapy program partners with AAA7 to provide community education

Shawnee State University’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program partnered with the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) to provide community education through in-person presentations that took place throughout Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, and Scioto counties.

SSU Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is designed for the working professional

With a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, Cincinnati, Ohio native Colton Sayers knew he wanted to continue his education and pursue his doctorate.

Occupational Therapy Assistant dual enrollment program with Southern State Community College

How do I apply?

To be considered for admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Dual Enrollment Program, submit all of the following by our April 1 final deadline:

1. Apply for Admission to Shawnee State

Apply for Admission

*NOTE: Select Occupational Therapy Assistant at Southern State Community College as your intended field of study

2. Apply for Admission to Southern State Community College

Apply for Admission

*NOTE: The SSCC application is only required for the dual enrollment program. If you wish to enroll in Shawnee State's Occupational Therapy Assistant program on the campus of Shawnee State, indicate Occupational Therapy Assistant on the Shawnee State application and skip to Step 3.

3. Submit the Health Science Application

Health Science Application

4. Send Admissions your high school transcript or GED, and college transcript, if applicable.

Talk to your high school guidance counselor to have your transcript sent to us by email (admissions@shawnee.edu), by fax (740) 351-3111, or by mail to:

Office of Admission
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

5. Send Admissions your ACT/SAT scores.

If you have a copy of your report, email it to admissions@shawnee.edu. Your high school counselor may also be able to include your ACT/SAT score on your transcript.

Office of Admission
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

You may also contact ACT or College Board to have your scores officially sent to Shawnee State. If you listed Shawnee State at the time that you took your test, you’re good to go. We will receive your scores automatically.

Our OTA program is selective.

In addition to admission applications, candidates should meet the following minimum requirements:

Complete Algebra, Biology and Chemistry with grade of 'C' or better
ACT composite of 18 or greater (or 20 hours of prior college credit hours)
Complete OTA Program Observation Hours Form* (PDF) (20 observation hours required)
If accepted, attend mandatory OTA orientation

What is the selection process?

An advisory panel of local OTs and OTAs assist the OTA faculty in determining selection criteria. The criteria have been effective in selecting students who are able to successfully complete the program and launch successful careers.

All applicants receive a numerical score in three areas. Each area is weighted as one third of the total points.

Area 1 (one third weight)

Volunteer reference (applicants need 20 hours). The volunteer reference is given a numerical rating based on the quality of the reference. Students who do not waive their right to review the volunteer reference may have points deducted prior to rating the reference. This is due to potential reluctance of the reviewer to make unfavorable comments.

Area 2 (one third weight)

Autobiography/Personal Statement writing sample. The writing sample is scored blindly, and independently by two faculty members. These scores are averaged.

Area 3 (one third weight)

Grade point average based on previous High School and/or College coursework. College level algebra, biology and chemistry receive .5 points higher than high school level. College level course work overrides high school course work. In instances where a student may have more than one college course which meets the prerequisite, the higher grade will be used in calculating the GPA.

Points for all 3 areas are each scored on a 0-4 point scale and totaled on an Excel Spreadsheet. Students are selected from the highest points down the list to fill the number of seats available for that cohort.

The program accepts an average of 25-30 qualified students per year.

Need help?

If any questions regarding the application process please contact:

Kim Moore, Director
Kricker Hall, Room 172
(740) 351-3770
kmoore@shawnee.edu

Lisa Whitten, Site Coordinator, Southern State Community College
Office adjacent to Classroom 103, Central Campus, Southern State Community College
lwhitten@shawnee.edu

Kelley Frantz, Academic Administrative Assistant
Kricker Hall, Room 101A
(740) 351-3169
kfrantz@shawnee.edu

Free Tuition Program

Shawnee State University has announced a Free Tuition Initiative for qualifying students from Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Learn more

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