OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Not every healthcare professional is a nurse or a doctor. There is a growing demand for rehabilitation-oriented professionals, including certified occupational therapy assistants (or COTAs). Gain the skills needed to step into a variety of healthcare settings with the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) associate degree at Bryant & Stratton College.
Students in this occupational therapy associate degree program will learn what it takes to provide support and treatment to adults and children in need of focused therapy to develop vital capacities that are used on a daily basis. They’ll study theory, anatomy, and physiology and will gain assessment skills through multiple experiences in the field, which will enhance the theory and practice learned in classroom and lab settings. This is the degree, and the education, students will need to pursue OTA careers helping—with supervision (under Occupational Therapists)—individuals live life to the fullest.
The associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant will prepare graduates for roles in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and day treatment centers. There is a growing demand within the occupational therapy field for professionals with the skills and the degrees to do the one-on-one work patients need to improve functionality and recover from illness and injury. As the demand for occupational therapy services grows, so will the value of the Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program from Bryant & Stratton College.
*The final semester of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program mandates that students fulfill full-time day fieldwork participation.
An Accredited, Career-Building OTA Program
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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is 301-652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the Wauwatosa, Greece, Solon, and Syracuse programs will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Program results from the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.
*Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure or authorization.
Outcomes
The Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program at Bryant & Stratton College provides students with the ability to do the following:
- Apply occupational therapy principles and theories to evaluation and intervention techniques in order to achieve desired outcomes.
- Demonstrate professional behavior and values and moral and ethical standards and attitudes consistent with the profession of occupational therapy.
- Appreciate the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapy assistant as they apply to interaction with clients, family members, and other professionals, including occupational therapists.
- Be an advocate for clients, for services, and for the profession.
- Provide services to clients of varied backgrounds in various systems without bias.
- Value research, evidence-based practice, and the need to keep current and engaged in life-long learning.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Graduation Rates
Occupational Therapy Assistant Academic Program Disclosures
Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree
Bryant & Stratton College is offering students a flexible and unique path to earning their Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree. Students can now earn their OTA degree in as little as 20 months with Bryant & Stratton College’s online Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program.
By earning their OTA degree online, students will gain the flexibility to juggle work, school, their home lives and other obligations. The unique blended learning format of the degree keeps weekdays open and limits the number of hours students have to spend in the classroom each semester.
Online and On Campus Curriculum
Students taking the online OTA program will be required to come to the Wauwatosa campus one weekend per month, per term. All other coursework will be completed online. The online component will cover 100% of lectures, meaning students can access their classes 24 hours a day, from wherever they choose, and there will be no set class times that students are required to check in for. The online OTA associate degree also features 45 hours of lab work which is completed thorough a blended online and on-campus curriculum.
Online Lab Requirements
Students will be required to complete nine hours (25%) of their lab work online. The online labs differ from the online lecture component of the degree program as students are required to be logged into class at set times during the term. The online labs are scheduled in three-hour blocks and are delivered on the weekend. This ensures the greatest flexibility for students as the class times will not interfere with any previous obligations during the week.
On Campus Lab Requirements
The remaining 75% of lab work will be conducted in-person at the Wauwatosa campus. Students will be required to spend all day Saturday and part of Sunday on-campus completing their lab requirements in our state-of-the-art OTA lab. The online OTA program is structured so that students will only be on campus one weekend per month, per term. In total, students will come to campus for four weekends each term.
On-campus lab work must be completed at the Wauwatosa campus in Wisconsin. Contact the Wauwatosa campus to learn more about this program, including travel and accommodation options.
Careers
Demand for occupational therapy assistants is growing much faster than average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These professionals may help patients perform therapeutic activities, teach patients to use assistive devices, or lead children in therapeutic play. An Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree prepares you to perform these tasks under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Where to Find Career Information and Advice
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Cost of Attending the Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS Program
Cost of Attending the Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS Program
| Current Direct Cost of Education* |
OTA - AAS 2023 Fall Semester |
OTA - AAS 2024 Winter Semester |
OTA - AAS Academic Year (2 Semester Cost) |
Total Cost of Program 2023-2025 (20 month Program) |
| Tuition |
$9,975 |
$9,975 |
$19,950 |
$50,375 |
| Student Fees |
$250 |
$65 |
$315 |
$610 |
| Books & Supplies |
$900 |
$900 |
$1,800 |
$4,500 |
| Other |
$250 |
$100 |
$350 |
$650 |
| Total |
$11,375 |
$11,040 |
$22,415 |
$56,135 |
*Cost of Attendance includes the total cost of education including institutional charges such as tuition, fee and book supplies as well as factors for transportation, personal expenses and room and board while attending college.
Illustration based on current tuition fees and book charges. These costs are subject to change.
Start Your Occupational Therapy Associate Degree Program Today!
Are you ready to pursue a career as an occupational therapy assistant? With locations in New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin, Bryant & Stratton College offers the in-person instruction and education you need to pursue career opportunities in rehab centers, long-term care facilities, and more. Start your OTA journey by contacting us today.