Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Sacramento City College!

If after having reviewed our pages you need additional information, please contact us and we will reply as soon as possible:

SCC-OTAInfo@scc.losrios.edu

916.558.2271

OTA Program Applications - Update 5-14-12:

• The application period for Spring 2013 will open July 27 and close September 21.  The application and instructions will be posted here in mid-July.  Read and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that your materials are accepted. 
• Last year was another record-setting year with 111 program applications.  Due to the volume of qualified applicants, random selection (what some call a "lottery") was used as part of the selection process.  There are 69 alternates.  Four alternates were placed.
• All applicants will be notified of their enrollment status via US mail approximately nine weeks after the close of the application period (about the end of November).  Please do not call or email to check the status of your application.
• For re-applying alternates ONLY:  you do not need to submit a new set of transcripts.  We have your materials on file.  Submit ONLY official transcripts for additional coursework taken since the last application cycle.

Get Two Degrees - Occupational Therapy and Gerontology

• Consider this as part of your educational plan for 2012-2013 while waiting to apply to the OTA Program.
• With a few additional courses, you could get two related and meaningful degrees.  No need to apply to the Gerontology program - just take classes that meet the degree requirements.
• Courses that overlap both programs:  Lifespan Human Development and Nutrition
• Course that will be accepted by OTA in lieu of Sociology or Cultural Anthropology:  Sociology of Aging
• Read more about the SCC Gerontology program.
• Contact Dr. Jessica Coppola at CoppolJ@scc.losrios.edu for additional information about the Gerontology program

FAQ's About "Alternate" Status

• What is the benefit to me of maintaining my alternate status?  Those who are reapplying as an alternate from the previous year have two chances for enrollment through random selection.  Those who are new applicants have only one chance.  The first 1/3 of the incoming class is filled by eligible returning alternates.  The remaining 2/3 of the class is filled by all remaining applicants.
• Why can't I keep my alternate placement from the year before?  I had a high number.  The program is required to enroll through a random selection process, per California Community College policies that maximize open access and equal opportunity.  We must draw from the pool of currently qualified applicants and cannot carryover applications from the year prior.  To do so would create a waiting list system which is not a random selection system.
• As an alternate reapplying, do I have to submit new transcripts?  You will need to submit transcripts ONLY for coursework taken since the last application.  For example, if you took courses since your last application, you would submit transcripts only for that coursework.  All application materials from previous cycles are maintained by the OTA Program office.
• Who makes the rules regarding the enrollment process?  The college develops the rules in compliance with the regulations put forth in the California education code for community colleges.
• If there are so many applicants, why can't more students be enrolled?  Many factors go into determining class size, including classroom and lab space, staffing ratios required by accreditation, and clinical site availability.  The program enrolls to its maximum capacity of 30 students during each enrollment cycle. 
• Should I come to another OTA Program Information Meeting before applying again?  You are certainly welcome to, however, it is not required.  There will not be any significant policy changes that will affect the application or enrollment process.  In addition, all program prerequisites and course requirements will remain the same.