Occupational Therapy Assistant
Help people recovering from illness get back to the everyday tasks of work and life.
What is Occupational Therapy Assistant?
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) work in diverse settings, helping individuals of all ages overcome physical and cognitive challenges. They assist with tasks like improving motor skills in children, aiding adults with conditions such as arthritis or dementia, and supporting those recovering from injuries or illnesses.
OTAs address a range of conditions, from spinal injuries and arthritis to neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and autism. They collaborate closely with occupational therapists to develop and adjust personalized treatment plans for each individual.
To become an OTA, one needs a 2-year associate’s degree from an accredited school, followed by certification and state licensure.
Getting Started
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
How Do I Pay For This?
How Do I Apply?
Enrollment in this program is limited and includes a selective admissions process. The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program admits students only one time each year, with a new class beginning each spring. The application deadline is October 1 of the year in which the student intends to apply.
The Spring 2025 Application deadline for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is October 1, 2024.
Pre-Admission Conference
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| February 21, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| March 20, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| April 17, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| May 15, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| June 19, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| August 21, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| September 18, 2024 | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
| October 16, 2024* | 12-1:30pm | Meeting is online via Teams. Email Pam Smithy to request to join. |
*This Pre-Admission Conference date is for the Spring 2026 class of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Additional Information
Occupational therapy assistant students who successfully complete their academic and fieldwork education requirements will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Initial certification is a requirement for Occupational Therapy Assistant licensure in most states.
Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and obtain a license to practice. Concerned applicants may request an Early Determination Review by the NBCOT.
Caitlin Rothrock, COTA/L
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
To see college data, visit NBCOT School Performance Data.
Length of Program
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program consists of two semesters of academic preparation and one semester of full-time fieldwork education leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum includes a blend of courses Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences are completed in community and medical based practice settings.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
