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.
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.
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.
