COVID-19 Information
(Learn More)
Be prepared to play a vital role in the future of healthcare.
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) provides a comprehensive and accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program. In as little as two years, we prepare students for national certification and professional job opportunities in the OTA profession.
What OTAs Do
An occupational therapy assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of an occupational therapist directly with people to develop and improve their ability to perform daily activities. The goal for each individual person depends on his or her condition. Someone may need occupational therapy due to an accident, a lifelong health condition, or a disability.
CUKC is intentional
At CUKC, we link the teaching and learning process used by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. We believe our students learn best through guided experiences and practice with the opportunity for self-reflection.
Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs are in the top-25 list of best healthcare support jobs in the nation as ranked by the US News & World Report. OTAs have a national median wage of $61,510 annually. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in this field is anticipated to grow by 35% between 2019-2029, making it the 4th fastest-growing occupation.
Each occupational therapy assistant takes continuing education courses for professional development and to maintain their licensure and certification. They can advance in their careers by teaching classes, and by becoming an administrator or director.
The A.A.S. Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Cleveland University-Kansas City consists of 15 core courses which include approximately 4-5 months of fieldwork education. Focused 8-week courses immerse you into your class subjects and allow for completion of an A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree in as little as two years.
Cleveland University-Kansas City’s College of Health Sciences admits students to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program three times per year. Academic and fieldwork courses are offered during the day, with occasional weekend rotations depending on the fieldwork assignment.
On completion of the degree program, graduates will have met the educational eligibility requirements needed to take National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certification Examination to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
All states require licensure in order to practice, however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Once NBCOT certified and licensed, occupational therapy assistants need to renew their certification and registration annually as well as meet continuing education requirements.
Contact Us
Call Cleveland University-Kansas City Admissions at (800) 467-2252 with any questions, to schedule a campus tour or request an information packet.
We strive to select candidates who not only have a passion for supporting people in living fulfilling lives but also those who are academically ready for the rigor of our A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program. Please note that admission to Cleveland University-Kansas City is separate from admission to the OTA degree program.
Physical Requirements
An occupational therapy assistant has a physically demanding job. Due to the nature of the coursework and clinical content, sufficient physical strength is required for lifting and moving people and handling therapy equipment in a variety of settings. OTA students must demonstrate the ability to deliver services in a safe and effective manner with or without reasonable accommodations.
Students desiring admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program must
Preferred Admission
Students who complete all of the required prerequisite and general education coursework at CUKC will be granted preferred admission status to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program provided that all criteria for the OTA program admission are met, and all other additional considerations are satisfactory.
Contact Us
Call Cleveland University-Kansas City Admissions at (800) 467-2252 with any questions, to schedule a campus tour or request an information packet.
Download a copy of the OTA Enrollment Checklist here and work with an admissions advisor to understand the timeline you must follow to enroll in the semester of your choice.
To apply for undergraduate academic programs, click below.
If you have not attended college, or you have fewer than 24 college credit hours, you must submit your high school or GED transcript and your ACT/SAT scores. All official college transcripts are required for all degree programs. Transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
Applicants to Cleveland University-Kansas City may be required to participate in a final interview prior to matriculation. Applicants will be notified in writing of the University’s decision regarding admission.
International student applicants
If you are an international student, please click here for information about applying to Cleveland University-Kansas City. You must be accepted to the University before applying to the Occupational Therapy Assistant degree 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 site address is www.acoteonline.org.
Graduates 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). 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.
Graduation rates for students in the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy
Assistant degree program at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) are as follows:
| Graduation Year |
Students Entering/Graduation |
Graduation Rates |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5/3 | 60% |
| 2020 | 7/7 | 100% |
| Graduate Total | 12/10 | 83% |
NBCOT Pass Results
OTA Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at NBCOT at https://www.nbcot.org/en/Educators/Home#SchoolPerformance.
Note: CUKC students graduating in 2019 took their exam in 2020, and 2020 program exam results will
be posted in January 2021.
