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Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree

On-Campus or Hybrid
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Associate of Applied Science

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Program Duration Icon

20 months

Approximate Program Length

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73 credits

Total Credits

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January 14

Next Start Date for On-Campus Students

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Not every healthcare professional is a nurse or a doctor. There is a growing demand for rehabilitation-oriented professionals, including certified occupational therapy assistants. Gain the skills needed to step into a variety of healthcare settings with the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) associate degree at Bryant & Stratton College. Like all accredited OTA programs, our hybrid program has in-person clinical components offered in New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin supplemented by online courses and material that can be completed anywhere.
Benefit from an accredited OTA degree program, credentialed through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

The OTA Program You’ve Been Looking For

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 individuals live life to the fullest, working under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.

As an on-campus or hybrid occupational therapy program, Bryant & Stratton College’s OTA degree program combines comprehensive classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences. Students engage in both integrated and full-time clinical placements across diverse healthcare settings. This associate degree program blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, emphasizing patient-centered care. Graduates emerge well-equipped to deliver effective treatments and make meaningful contributions in their future occupational therapy careers.

Upon successful completion of the on-campus or hybrid occupational therapy program at Bryant & Stratton College, graduates will have the education necessary to take licensure exams for state license qualification and are eligible to sit for the national certification exam for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

*The final semester of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program mandates that students fulfill full-time day fieldwork participation.

Where can you take this program?

The OTA program is available 100% on site at our Syracuse, NY campus or through hybrid delivery at one of our lab locations in Ohio, New York, Virginia, or Wisconsin. The hybrid program blends online coursework with hands-on skill development. Students enrolled in the hybrid occupational therapy assistant associate program must attend one of the lab locations one weekend per month. Our OTA labs are located at our Greece, NY, Solon, OH, Virginia Beach, VA, or Wauwatosa, WI campus.

New York

Ohio

Virginia

Wisconsin

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Hybrid Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Degree Program

Bryant & Stratton College offers a flexible and innovative path to earning your Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree. Our hybrid occupational therapy program allows students to earn their degree in as little as 20 months through a combination of online coursework and in-person lab experiences.

This unique format provides the flexibility to manage work, family, and other commitments, while still gaining essential practical skills. The blend of online and in-person learning allows students to minimize their time on campus while still engaging in comprehensive lab work.

Flexible Education: Online and On-Campus Curriculum

Students in the hybrid occupational therapy program will be required to come to the Wauwatosa campus in Wisconsin, the Solon campus in Ohio, the Virginia Beach campus in Virginia, or the Greece campus in New York one weekend per month, per term. All other coursework will be completed online. The online component covers 100% of lecture materials, accessible 24/7, giving students the freedom to learn when it suits them best.

The hybrid occupational therapy program features 45 hours of lab work which is completed thorough a combination of online and on-campus curriculum. This combination of flexibility and direct interaction provides an optimal learning experience for future occupational therapy assistants.

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. 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 in Wisconsin, the Solon campus in Ohio, the Virginia Beach campus in Virginia, or the Greece campus in New York. Students will be required to spend all day Saturday and Sunday on-campus completing their lab requirements in our state-of-the-art OTA lab. The hybrid occupational therapy 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.

For those seeking the hybrid occupational therapy program, contact the Wauwatosa campus to learn more about this educational program, including travel and accommodation options for required on-campus lab work.

Key Courses

For a full course listing, please refer to the Bryant & Stratton College catalog.

  • OTAP101
     - Introduction to Occupational Therapy
  • OTAP102
     - Occupational Therapy Process
  • OTAP120
     - Human Occupations
  • OTAP135
     - Occupational Therapy Fieldwork I A
  • OTAP201
     - Psychosocial Intervention
  • OTAP220
     - Documentation in Occupational Therapy*
  • OTAP230
     - Developmental/Pediatric Intervention
  • OTAP235
     - Occupational Therapy Fieldwork I B
  • OTAP240
     - Human Movement for Occupation
  • OTAP245
     - Physical Disability Intervention
  • OTAP250
     - Adaptive Interventions
  • OTAP252
     - Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy*
  • OTAP270
     - Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Level II A
  • OTAP271
     - Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Level II B
  • BIOL113
     - Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL213
     - Anatomy and Physiology II
  • COMM115
     - Introduction to Information Literacy
  • ENGL101
     - Research and Writing I
  • ENGL250
     - Research and Writing II
  • MATH101
     - Workplace Mathematics
  • PSYC101
     - Principles of Psychology
  • PSYC111
     - Developmental Psychology
  • PSYC120
     - Abnormal Psychology
  • SOSC102
     - Principles of Sociology
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    Program Outcomes

    The Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program at Bryant & Stratton College provides students with the ability to do the following:

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    Abstract blue line art depicting three stylized human figures with one extending a hand towards the other two.

    Demonstrate therapeutic use of self by effectively advocating for clients, occupational therapy services, and the profession across all contexts and environments.

    Blue heart shape with an electrocardiogram line inside it, representing health or medical care.

    Apply occupational therapy principles and theories in assessment and intervention planning, implementing evidence-based practices to achieve client-centered, functional outcomes.

    Blue icon of three people, two larger figures on the left and right, with a smaller figure in the center.

    Demonstrate awareness of the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapy assistant in various healthcare settings, showcasing effective collaboration with clients, care partners, and inter/intra disciplinary care teams.

    A blue medical cross icon with a heart in the center.

    Identify professional behaviors aligned with the AOTA Code of Ethics, ethical decision-making, and values consistent with occupational therapy standards.

    A blue stylized figure holds a circular object with a smiling face, suggesting care or support.

    Apply critical thinking skills to complex clinical scenarios, demonstrating proficiency in safety procedures and appropriate responses to emergency situations.

    Blue icon of a computer keyboard with a magnifying glass above it, containing a medical cross symbol.

    Develop a personalized plan for lifelong learning that incorporates current research and evidence-based practices to support effective, contemporary occupational therapy service delivery.

    Valuable Internship Experience

    In addition to your classroom experience, we recognize the importance of real-world application in the occupational therapy field. Through our partnership network, OTA students are provided with various hands-on opportunities to actively apply their learnings to real patients and clients seeking rehabilitation from injury or illness in a number of settings.

    Careers

    What can you do with an Occupational Therapy Assistant Associates degree?

    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 in rehabilitation centers 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.

    An Occupational Therapy Assistant helps an older man lift a small orange dumbbell during a rehabilitation exercise session. The assistant supports the man's arm and smiles encouragingly.
    Occupational Therapy Assistant

    Accreditation & Disclosures

    The Hybrid Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (with lab locations in Greece, NY, Solon, OH, Virginia Beach, VA, and Wauwatosa, WI) and the in-person Syracuse, NY program, are 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 is 301-652-AOTA, and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the hybrid and face-to-face 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). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition to passing the NBCOT exam, all states require licensure or authorization in order to practice.

    Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure or authorization.

    * 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.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Typically, the minimum educational requirement to pursue a career as an occupational therapy assistant is an associate-level degree from an accredited institution of learning.

    The first step is to find an accredited degree program that fits your needs. Depending on where you plan to help practice, you’ll also need to complete a minimum of supervised clinical experiences, typically around 16 weeks full time. From there, you should pursue national certification, taking the test as administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy. At Bryant & Stratton College, our Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program can help you meet all the requirements.

    Most of the courses you will take involve some area of human movement. At Bryant & Stratton College, our AAS in Occupational Therapy Assistant program covers the occupational therapy process, developmental intervention, human movement for occupation, adaptive interventions and more.

    Bryant & Stratton College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant that can be completed in just over two years. The program incorporates four distinct clinical experiences across various healthcare environments, including two integrated and two culminating placements. This comprehensive approach equips students with the practical skills and a variety of situations needed to thrive in the long-term as occupational therapy assistants.

    Due to the clinical nature of many of the requirements for graduation, there are very few programs where even a portion of the instruction is offered in an online format. At Bryant & Stratton College, our Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program offers flexible learning options to suit your needs. Choose between a fully on-site experience at our Syracuse campus or our innovative hybrid format. The hybrid program combines the convenience of online coursework with essential hands-on training. Students in the hybrid program must attend on-site labs one weekend per month at our Wauwatosa, Greece, Solon, or Virginia Beach campuses.

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