Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Overview

Program Accreditation

The baccalaureate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program has applied for accreditation 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 acoteonline.org. The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Program Length

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) bachelor’s degree is a limited-admission degree program. Students will be required to successfully complete 19 credits of prerequisites (taken prior to core classes) 59 professional core credits (taken in the final two years), and a minimum of 48 credits of general education and electives (required for graduation). The OTA program delivers the 59 core credits over a two-year timeframe in a lockstep (Fall/Spring) format, graduating a cohort of students every May.

Total Credits: 124

COTA Exam

Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification for Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA Exam) that is offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

After passing this examination, the graduate will become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). All states require licensure to practice occupational therapy, and proof of this certification is required in the licensure application process. Occupational therapy assistants’ practice under the clinical supervision of a Licensed, Occupational Therapist (OTR/L).

Learning Outcomes/Goals

  1. Demonstrate a holistic liberal arts foundation and focused knowledge and skills necessary for generalist occupational therapy assistant practice across a variety of practice areas (Occupational Performance Foundations).
  2. Demonstrate effective communication skills and ethical negotiation of practice settings to function effectively as a member of an inter- and intra-professional health care team (Professional Behavior and Issues).
  3. Engage in collaborative clinical reasoning for client-centered care that incorporates evidence-based practices in screening, intervention, and documentation of outcomes. (Collaborative and Evidence-based Reasoning).
  4. Practice as collaborative partners with occupational therapists by utilizing authentic and ethical occupational therapy approaches (Authentic and Ethical Occupation-based Practice).
  5. Adopt a servant-leadership identity to engage in lifelong learning through active participation in professional development activities including continuing education, post-graduate education, clinical specialty, and local/regional/national presentations. (Professional Advocacy and Leadership).
  6. Demonstrate a commitment to promoting participation, health, wellness, disease prevention, and access to care in the clinical settings and communities they serve (Community-Engaged Clinical Education).