Occupational Therapy
Associate of Arts (DTA) Degree
Occupational therapy professionals help people of all ages who need assistance in work, recreation and self-care activities. They work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, community settings, home health agencies, and mental health facilities.
Occupational Therapy programs are graduate level programs, requiring a bachelor's degree in order to apply. TCC offers courses that cover the first 2 years of a typical 4-year pre-occupational therapy program (college-level courses) as well as courses to develop skills needed for college-level courses. Students will earn an Associate of Arts (DTA) degree to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Degree Program
The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree is directly transferable to most Washington baccalaureate institutions (four-year colleges and universities). Students who transfer will be granted junior standing upon transfer.
To prepare for the Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy while in high school, students should pursue all available courses in mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics.
Students should gain exposure to the occupational therapy profession through experience working, volunteer in or observing in occupational therapy settings.
Option A Degree: 90 credits
The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree is directly transferable to most Washington baccalaureate institutions (four-year colleges and universities).
For students who wish to major in Occupational Therapy, here is the recommended course schedule at TCC for the Associate of Arts (DTA) degree.
Degree Completion Requirements
- A minimum of 90 quarter credit hours in courses numbered 100 or above, including the distribution requirements listed.
- At least 30 applicable credits earned at Tacoma Community College.
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all coursework applied to the degree, and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all TCC college-level courses.
- No more than three physical education activity credits will apply toward the degree.
At least one course (five credits) must be a designated multicultural course. Approved multicultural courses are identified on the Approved Distribution Course List.
| Communication Skills (10 credits) | |
|---|---|
| Number | Title |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| ENGL& 102 or ENGL 103 |
English Composition/Speaking Skills Select 5 additional credits from the Communication section of the Approved Distribution Course List |
| Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning Skills (5 credits) | |
| Number | Title |
| Select 5 credits from the Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning section of the Approved Distribution Course List. | |
| Requirements |
|---|
|
HUMANITIES (15 credits) Select courses from the Humanities section of the Approved Distribution Course List. Courses must be selected from at least two disciplines with no more than 10 credits in any one discipline. No more than 5 credits in world language at the 100 level. No more than five credits of performance/skills course(s) can be used to satisfy this requirement. |
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SOCIAL SCIENCES (15 credits) Select courses from the Social Sciences section of the Approved Distribution Course List. Courses must be selected from at least two disciplines with no more than 10 credits in any one discipline.
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NATURAL SCIENCES (15 credits) Select courses from the Natural Sciences section of the Approved Distribution Course List. Courses must be selected from at least two disciplines with no more than 10 credits in any one discipline. Courses must include at least 10 credits from the courses listed as Biological, Earth, and Physical Sciences. Courses must include at least one laboratory course.
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION (3 credits) Select three PE activity credits. No more than three PE activity credits apply toward the degree. The following PE courses do not count as activity credits: PE 190, PE 191, PE 285, PE 292 |
| Electives |
|---|
| Distribution Electives (12 credits) |
|
Distribution electives must be selected from courses listed under the Communication, Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, or General Distribution Courses sections of the Approved Distribution Course List. Students are advised to take at least one writing intensive course (other than a written communication skills course) as part of their degree requirements and electives. |
| Other College-Level Electives (15 credits) |
|
All elective credits must be selected from courses numbered 100 or above. PE credits cannot be used as electives. |
Learn more about career opportunities.
Transfer Information
The following Washington colleges and universities offer Occupational Therapy programs.
University of Washington Masters of Occupational Therapy
University of Puget Sound School of Occupational Therapy
Eastern Washington University Department of Occupational Therapy
Recommended Class Schedule: Based on the individual transfer requirements for each of the 4-year institutions, we suggest specific class schedules.
University of Washington Masters of Occupational Therapy
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First Year |
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|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
ENGL& 101 |
ENGL& 102, ENGL 103, or ENGL& 235 |
ANTH 101 or ANTH& 206 |
Some students may need to take additional prerequisite courses.
|
Second Year |
||
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
BIOL& 241 |
BIOL& 242 |
Elective |
University of Puget Sound School of Occupational Therapy
|
First Year |
||
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
ENGL& 101 |
ENGL& 102 or ENGL 103, or ENGL& 235 |
ANTH& 206 or PSYC& 220 |
Some students may need to take additional prerequisite courses.
|
Second Year |
||
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
BIOL& 241 |
BIOL& 242 |
HIT 105 |
Eastern Washington University Department of Occupational Therapy
|
First Year |
||
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
ENGL& 101 |
ENGL& 102, ENGL 103, or ENGL& 235 |
SOC& 101 or ANTH& 100 |
Some students my need to take additional prerequisite courses.
|
Second Year |
||
|
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|
BIOL& 241 |
BIOL& 242 |
HIT 105 |
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