Occupational Therapy Assistant

Admission Procedure

Admission Application Period

View the Application Dates and Deadlines page for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program admission application period.

Criterion for acceptance

Qualification is based on a rating system of completed prerequisite courses and occupational therapy field observation/shadowing (8 hours minimum). Selection is based on total qualifying scores in rank order from the highest score until admission quota is reached.

Admission Procedures

Step 1 : Complete the Occupational Therapy Program Readiness Check.

If you intend to apply for the Select Admission Occupational Therapy Program, complete the Occupational Therapy Program Readiness Check form under the "Forms" section to see if you qualify for admission.

Step 2 : Attend a mandatory information session before the end of the application period.

See the "Program Information Session Schedule" for dates and times available; the schedule may be obtained from the Health Sciences Department office or viewed on-line at  Health Sciences Information Sessions. At the information session you will learn more about the career pathway, program, curriculum, admissions, and application requirements.

For academic advising and support, visit a counselor on walk-in WEDNESDAYS from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. in Kauila 122, or contact hlthhelp@hawaii.edu for e-mail advising.

Step 3 : Submit the UH System Application before the end of the application period.

Submit a “University of Hawai'i System Application Form” if you are: (a) new applicant to the UH system (b) graduating high school student (c) returning student (d) international student (e) transfer student not attending a UH system college or university (f) active duty U.S. Armed Forces

Eligibility: All persons who are 18 or older, or who have earned a high school diploma or equivalency, are eligible for admissions to Kapi'olani Community College. Identify your major as: “Liberal Arts (Pre-OTA).”

The College requires tuberculosis (TB) and Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) clearance for registration approval.

Application form is available in the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC), Ilima 102.

Step 4 : Develop an academic action plan with a Health Sciences counselor.

On Walk-in Wednesdays, you may seek advising to develop an academic action plan with a Health Sciences counselor using a “student issued copy” of your transcript(s)/records.

Step 5 : Complete all prerequisite courses.

Complete all OTA prerequisite courses prior to application. A "C" grade or higher is required for prerequisite and support courses (See attached OTA curriculum). Science courses need to be completed within the last 5 years to be valid. Completing other program support courses is highly recommended.

Step 6 : Request official transcript(s) before the end of the application period.

For evaluation of your previous college work to be applied toward your degree, you should have official transcript(s) and course description(s) outside Kapi'olani Community College be sent directly to the Kekaulike Information and Service Center (KISC). The Banner Information System has your UH system school's transcript information. You must complete a “Request for Transcript Evaluation” form.

Step 7 : During the application period, submit the OTA Application Packet to the Health Sciences counselor.

Pick up the OTA Application Packet in Kauila 122. The application packet is available in the "kiosk" during Health Sciences office hours from 8:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. The packet is available Monday through Friday, except state holidays. The application packet is not available on-line. Neighbor island and U.S. mainland students may request the application packet be sent by mail from the Health Sciences department.

Submit the completed OTA Application Packet to a Health Sciences counselor on Walk-In Wednesdays from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Your program application will be reviewed with you during the application period. Only Neighbor Island and U.S. mainland students may mail the completed application packet to the Health Sciences department.

The OTA Program application packet includes the (a) OTA Application Checklist (b) Application for Selective Admission Program (ASAP form) (c) OTA Admission Information form.

Notice: Health care students are required to complete University prescribed academic requirements that involve clinical practice in a University affiliated health care facility setting with no substitution allowable for the completion of required clinical practice. Failure of a student to complete the prescribed clinical practice shall be deemed as not satisfying academic program requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to satisfactorily complete any background checks and drug testing that may be required by the affliated health care facility to which he/she is assigned for clinical practice in accordance with procedures and timelines as prescribed by that affiliated health card facility.

Step 8 : Notification of acceptance to the program.

Each applicant will receive a letter of application status by the end of June.

Accepted students will receive an Acceptance Letter from the Program Director about the Orientation and Advising Sessions.

Students who are not selected are encouraged to seek support for future acceptance from Program Director or Health Sciences counselor.

Step 9 : Accepted students attend the program orientation and advising session.

All new OTA majors will attend a Program Orientation and Advising session. At orientation, students will review the OTA Program Student Handbook. During the advising session, OTA majors will be advised by the Program Director about the OTA courses to enroll in for the Fall semester.

Pay for your liability insurance at the Business Office (Ilima 101).

Complete and return your health forms and First Aid & CPR certification to the Program Director by the first week of the Fall semester.

Step 10 : Register online and pay your tuition.

You will register for your courses on-line. To register online, go to http://myuhportal.hawaii.edu and follow the instructions to login. Payment may be made on-line or at the cashier's office (Ilima 102).

Step 11 : Complete the Keytrain pre-assessment and lessons.

The KeyTrain Program equips students with work skills to prepare for job entry. New OTA majors will participate in a session for KeyTrain program. Students will complete the KeyTrain pre-assessments by the designated deadline. Students can begin and complete the KeyTrain "lessons" to improve their “skill gaps” of the job profile.

OTA majors will complete the WorkKeys post-assessment near program exit.

Admission requirements and application procedures can change. Prior to applying to the OTA program, contact the Health Sciences Department for updated information.