General Admissions & OTCAS OTA Bridge Programs how long will they be around for?

[PsychadelicTech]

Hi, I will do my best to make a long story short.
First intro name is Doug 29 y.o. male and a psychiatric counselor with a degree in the human service field. Worked in inpatient and residential psych facilities for almost 5 to 6 year's.

I have been for the last three semesters going back to college and taking my prerequisites for nursing. Taken so far: Intro to Psych (B+); Intro to Chem (B); AP 1 (B-), AP 2 (In progress); Microbiology (In progress). Taking Lifespan & Development, Pre-Calculus, and Chem 1 next fall. Then in the Spring plan to take Chem 2, Spanish 1, and Stats.

I already applied to 2 programs and was wait listed at them (100 out of 106). I plan to apply to three more nursing programs in this coming fall as well.

However, looking for a backup plan. I really want to continue doing patient care really enjoy it. As far as my role at work I am a mix of a PCT (Phlebotomy/EKGs/ADLS/Vitals) and on the psych side (Admissions/Setting up care plans/Documenting patients progress regarding treatment goals/Facilitating groups/Working on daily living skills).

I was looking in to OTA. Now I would be interested in doing OT, but a few issues. First is there is only two programs in my State I live in Connecticut and they are wicked expensive talking close to $80,000, I am good. Second I do OT if there was a part time or preferably a weekend program in the New England area. Found a few weekend programs, but they look to be more of a bridge for OTAs to OTs. Now if I am wrong and can guide me or suggest any programs will be ecstatic!

I am considering applying to an OTA program and applying to an OTA-OT weekend bridge program. Programs I would consider is Bay Path University, New England Institute of Tech, Dominican College, AIC, Salem U, and believe Marist had one as well.

My only concern with these bridge programs is by the time I am in OTA school - 2018 by 2020 they will be done with and programs will transition to OT. Then I am stuck with an OTA degree, not that it's a bad thing. From what I read about the OTA field I am interested it seems a lot of continuation of my work I do now.

I am interested in the OT field I work with a lot of awesome OTs. Some work more on the psych side, some work with child development, some work in geriatric/dementia/stroke area, and some work with PT. Your not stuck doing one thing, which I like.

I appreciate any feedback or insight can offer. I greatly appreciate the wisdom can offer up.

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[PsychadelicTech]

Also forgot to mention looking at Bay Path. They come to the CC where I am taking my prerequisites Naugatuck Valley a lot. Found a really interesting program a PTA to OT bridge program. That really intrigues me. However, there appears so much instability in the OT field and how things will change. I wouldn't mind going PTA to OT to DOT.

Also bummer there is only really 1 OTA program in my State, one is suspended indefinitely, and the other 2 are on accreditation probation.

 

[Otmom95]

Also forgot to mention looking at Bay Path. They come to the CC where I am taking my prerequisites Naugatuck Valley a lot. Found a really interesting program a PTA to OT bridge program. That really intrigues me. However, there appears so much instability in the OT field and how things will change. I wouldn't mind going PTA to OT to DOT.

Also bummer there is only really 1 OTA program in my State, one is suspended indefinitely, and the other 2 are on accreditation probation.

Mercy College is in Dobbs Ferry, NY not far from Ct. They have a weekend OT program.

 

[PsychadelicTech]

Cool I saw that one I sent a request for more info from them earlier today. Is it an every weekend type program? That would work amazing with my work schedule.

The program I was looking to apply to is taking applicants for 2019 class.

 

[sometimesimfunny]

Hi, I will do my best to make a long story short.
First intro name is Doug 29 y.o. male and a psychiatric counselor with a degree in the human service field. Worked in inpatient and residential psych facilities for almost 5 to 6 year's.

I have been for the last three semesters going back to college and taking my prerequisites for nursing. Taken so far: Intro to Psych (B+); Intro to Chem (B); AP 1 (B-), AP 2 (In progress); Microbiology (In progress). Taking Lifespan & Development, Pre-Calculus, and Chem 1 next fall. Then in the Spring plan to take Chem 2, Spanish 1, and Stats.

I already applied to 2 programs and was wait listed at them (100 out of 106). I plan to apply to three more nursing programs in this coming fall as well.

However, looking for a backup plan. I really want to continue doing patient care really enjoy it. As far as my role at work I am a mix of a PCT (Phlebotomy/EKGs/ADLS/Vitals) and on the psych side (Admissions/Setting up care plans/Documenting patients progress regarding treatment goals/Facilitating groups/Working on daily living skills).

I was looking in to OTA. Now I would be interested in doing OT, but a few issues. First is there is only two programs in my State I live in Connecticut and they are wicked expensive talking close to $80,000, I am good. Second I do OT if there was a part time or preferably a weekend program in the New England area. Found a few weekend programs, but they look to be more of a bridge for OTAs to OTs. Now if I am wrong and can guide me or suggest any programs will be ecstatic!

I am considering applying to an OTA program and applying to an OTA-OT weekend bridge program. Programs I would consider is Bay Path University, New England Institute of Tech, Dominican College, AIC, Salem U, and believe Marist had one as well.

My only concern with these bridge programs is by the time I am in OTA school - 2018 by 2020 they will be done with and programs will transition to OT. Then I am stuck with an OTA degree, not that it's a bad thing. From what I read about the OTA field I am interested it seems a lot of continuation of my work I do now.

I am interested in the OT field I work with a lot of awesome OTs. Some work more on the psych side, some work with child development, some work in geriatric/dementia/stroke area, and some work with PT. Your not stuck doing one thing, which I like.

I appreciate any feedback or insight can offer. I greatly appreciate the wisdom can offer up.

Hey what do you mean that Ot programs will be done with by that time?

 

[PsychadelicTech]

We can't predict the future. What if OTA to OT bridges are gone with OT transitioning to a Doctorate degree.

I am going to look into 2 weekend OT programs in NY and probably apply.

Think of applying to them, a MSW program, and a PTA program in addition to the 3 nursing programs plan to apply to at the end of the year.

I would apply to an OTA program but they shut down one at the public college, 2 are on probation, and one is a drive doesn't start until Fall of next year where PTA starts in the Spring.

If push came to shove my options were the MSW or PTA what do you think would be the best program to choose? I feel I have a good shot at these two programs.

 

[PsychadelicTech]

Hi, so I didn't want to clog up the board by making a new post. Been doing a lot of research and I really want to become an OT. I know this might question my passion for the career, but I am okay paying $80K if I can knock out a degree in 3 years. I rather start in 2018 not 2019. Like to be able to work because I mean I have bills there is no way around food, car payments, rent, and so forth.

Thinking of giving Bay Path a go see what happens. I have all the prerequisites completed and I can fundugle with my work a Friday-Sunday schedule.

Now other option kind of a pain and a long road. Is go either OTA or PTA to OT. There are three bridge programs Bay Path, Rhode Island, and Salem right near by where I live.
Thoughts?

 

[MOTmking]

Hi, I will do my best to make a long story short.
First intro name is Doug 29 y.o. male and a psychiatric counselor with a degree in the human service field. Worked in inpatient and residential psych facilities for almost 5 to 6 year's.

I have been for the last three semesters going back to college and taking my prerequisites for nursing. Taken so far: Intro to Psych (B+); Intro to Chem (B); AP 1 (B-), AP 2 (In progress); Microbiology (In progress). Taking Lifespan & Development, Pre-Calculus, and Chem 1 next fall. Then in the Spring plan to take Chem 2, Spanish 1, and Stats.

I already applied to 2 programs and was wait listed at them (100 out of 106). I plan to apply to three more nursing programs in this coming fall as well.

However, looking for a backup plan. I really want to continue doing patient care really enjoy it. As far as my role at work I am a mix of a PCT (Phlebotomy/EKGs/ADLS/Vitals) and on the psych side (Admissions/Setting up care plans/Documenting patients progress regarding treatment goals/Facilitating groups/Working on daily living skills).

I was looking in to OTA. Now I would be interested in doing OT, but a few issues. First is there is only two programs in my State I live in Connecticut and they are wicked expensive talking close to $80,000, I am good. Second I do OT if there was a part time or preferably a weekend program in the New England area. Found a few weekend programs, but they look to be more of a bridge for OTAs to OTs. Now if I am wrong and can guide me or suggest any programs will be ecstatic!

I am considering applying to an OTA program and applying to an OTA-OT weekend bridge program. Programs I would consider is Bay Path University, New England Institute of Tech, Dominican College, AIC, Salem U, and believe Marist had one as well.

My only concern with these bridge programs is by the time I am in OTA school - 2018 by 2020 they will be done with and programs will transition to OT. Then I am stuck with an OTA degree, not that it's a bad thing. From what I read about the OTA field I am interested it seems a lot of continuation of my work I do now.

I am interested in the OT field I work with a lot of awesome OTs. Some work more on the psych side, some work with child development, some work in geriatric/dementia/stroke area, and some work with PT. Your not stuck doing one thing, which I like.

I appreciate any feedback or insight can offer. I greatly appreciate the wisdom can offer up.

Utica College in New York has a weekend OT program! From what I could tell, they really seem to focus more on the psychology side than the biology/physical side based on the classes in their curriculum. I shadowed an OT who graduated from their weekend program and she seemed to love it there!

Good Luck!

 

[PsychadelicTech]

So did some more research found 3 to 4 OTA to OT programs in the area. Now kind of 4 one program is a PTA or OTA accelerated program for those with a bachelor degree. The cost for these programs is relatively inexpensive. Think the most is around $60K.

I did research on OTA jobs and there is a lot in my area. There is maybe 20 full time jobs in the State and 20 part time jobs. There is a slew of per diem OTA jobs so the market isn't terrible. However, the job market does appear to be taken over by PTA jobs so unsure how it will be in 2 or 3 years. Pay is decent about an extra $10K more a year than what I am currently making.

The only issue is there is only two OTA program's where I live. One is an 80 mile round trip away and cost is about $10,000.

The other program is right down the road from where I live. The program cost about $15,000.

Question is do I go for my PTA or OTA? If I go the OTA route go for the more expensive option or the less expensive option with the longer drive. Also to put into consideration the expensive option is on probation due to low pass rate of students.

I still plan to apply to an OT program at the end of this Fall and going to work on prerequisites for 2 more OT programs if I don't go into OTA or PTA school.

 

[Future OT2Be]

So did some more research found 3 to 4 OTA to OT programs in the area. Now kind of 4 one program is a PTA or OTA accelerated program for those with a bachelor degree. The cost for these programs is relatively inexpensive. Think the most is around $60K.

I did research on OTA jobs and there is a lot in my area. There is maybe 20 full time jobs in the State and 20 part time jobs. There is a slew of per diem OTA jobs so the market isn't terrible. However, the job market does appear to be taken over by PTA jobs so unsure how it will be in 2 or 3 years. Pay is decent about an extra $10K more a year than what I am currently making.

The only issue is there is only two OTA program's where I live. One is an 80 mile round trip away and cost is about $10,000.

The other program is right down the road from where I live. The program cost about $15,000.

Question is do I go for my PTA or OTA? If I go the OTA route go for the more expensive option or the less expensive option with the longer drive. Also to put into consideration the expensive option is on probation due to low pass rate of students.

I still plan to apply to an OT program at the end of this Fall and going to work on prerequisites for 2 more OT programs if I don't go into OTA or PTA school.

Hi there I wanted to comment because I am actually considering going to OTA school and then doing a bridge program as well. My mom is a PT and we have been talking about the fields a lot so I feel like I can provide some help. First, from what my mom told me OTA is the better rout to go because OTAs get to do a lot more with patients then PTAs due to the regulations that PT has in place. Also, the PTA field is very saturated so you might have a better chance finding a job as an OTA (but this is just a guess, as is most of what I am saying). I wish the OTA school by me was the price of the ones by you but unfortunately I live in Nevada which has one OT program that is 75k and one OTA program that is 35k. Thought they are both fast face two year programs, I am a little jealous of your options. Anyways, I do not see the bridge programs going away anytime soon. When I interviewed with the OT program hear they said that while Ot is working on becoming a mandatory Doctorate program that goal will most likely not be realized until 2025 since every school will have to go that rout and that takes time. Therefore, since you are looking at doing it soon I do not see that being a hindrance in either of our wishes to continue on to OT. The bridge programs all essentially require a bachelors to get your masters anyways whether it is part of the program or not and that is true of doctorate level programs to. Most of the schools also require a year of working as an OTA before applying as well so just keep that in mind. I apologize for my rambling but hopefully this helps you out. I wish you luck!

 

[othopeful93]

Hi.

You jump around a lot here, saying first you want nursing and OTA is a backup. Then that you want OTA because OT school is too expensive, and then you're ok with the money because you really want to be an OT, and then back to OTA vs PTA.

My question would be, why not go straight for the MSOT? Yes the programs are more expensive upfront, but if the school by you is 60k for the entire degree that's honestly great. My degree is going to cost me about 112k, which is ok because this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.


Now to be more helpful, I doubt OTA bridge programs are going anywhere anytime soon. AOTA is looking to make the OTD mandatory with a target date of 2025, but also states this on their website.

"No decision has been made to change entry-level requirements. If ultimately any change were made to mandate doctoral-level entry for occupational therapists, it would apply only to future graduates after an appropriate transition for educational institutions."

So you would have a few extra years and if you were already in a school, it wouldn't be a problem. I think you would be fine with OTA-OT bridge, but make sure it's really what you want because you don't want to sink money into something if you won't be happy!