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.
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.
At CUKC, we link the teaching and learning processes 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 30% between 2021-2031.
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 completing an A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) degree in as little as two years.
Cleveland University-Kansas City’s College of Health Sciences admits students to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program in the spring and fall each year. Academic and fieldwork courses are offered during the day, with occasional weekend rotations depending on the fieldwork assignment.
OTA program Academic Coursework (PDF)
Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Handbook (PDF)
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.
Admission to the occupational therapy assistant program is competitive. Candidates will be ranked based upon GPA in required general education courses coupled with the number of those courses completed at CUKC. In the event of a tie, the following factors will be used to further rank candidates: on the alternate list the previous term, attending an open house or campus tour at CUKC, and/or were referred by a CUKC alumni, staff or faculty member.
Declined seats will be offered to alternates as they become available. Students who remain on the alternate list will be placed in the candidate pool for the next available cohort start. OTA cohort starts are in the fall and spring trimesters.
Completion of general education courses, and meeting program requirements, does not guarantee enrollment for a specific term. Upon notification of acceptance for a specific enrollment term, students will be advised of additional tasks and documentation they must complete prior to the start of professional occupational therapy assistant courses. Failure to complete all program requirements prior to the first day of professional occupational therapy assistant courses will result in retraction of enrollment, and an alternate will be offered the vacant seat.
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.
Associate of Applied Science Application 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.
Additional Emailcaroline.bequette@cleveland.edu
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. All official college transcripts are required for all degree programs. Transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
Applicants will be notified in writing of the University’s decision regarding admission. Program enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of a non-refundable tuition deposit and preregistration form. Program enrollment is required prior to course registration.
International student applicants
If you are an international student, please click here for information about applying to Cleveland University-Kansas City.
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 website address is www.acoteonline.org.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
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% |
| 2021 | 3/2 | 66% |
| 2022 | 9/6 | 66% |
| Graduate Total | 23/18 | 78% |
NBCOT Pass Results
OTA Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at NBCOT.
