Why April is the Right Time to Discover the OTA Degree

Communications Staff

Posted April 16, 2019

Spring is always a good time to begin new adventures, and with April being National Occupational Therapy Month, there’s never been a better time to learn about the benefits of earning an OTA degree.

Occupational therapy has come a long way in its 100-year history – today’s occupational therapist (OT) and occupational therapy assistant (OTA) teams are recognized for helping people of all ages and abilities achieve their best possible lives.

Discover What You Can Do with an OTA Degree

Experienced occupational therapy assistants will tell you they have the most enjoyable role within the OT profession. OTAs get to work one-on-one with their clients, so they can share in the success of the therapies and activities the OTAs carry out:

• Helping children with developmental issues or disabilities to participate alongside their friends in school and social situations
• Showing someone how to recuperate safely from a severe injury, stroke, or heart attack
• Demonstrating new, safer ways of doing daily activities
• Teaching how to use adaptive tools and techniques to make life more enjoyable
• Providing support, encouragement, and assistance to senior adults who are experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

Explore How OT Makes a Difference

As you can see, occupational therapy addresses people’s needs throughout their lifespan and in a full spectrum of scenarios involving developmental, social, emotional, and physical situations.

One of the reasons OTAs are in big demand (an anticipated 28 percent growth through 2026) is there are six practice areas in which OTAs can apply their skills and expertise. As a student earning an OTA degree, you’ll get to explore the issues and concerns of each specialty area: Children and Youth, Health & Wellness, Work & Industry, Rehabilitation and Disability, Quality of Life/Aging, and Mental Health.

Learn About the 6 Practice Areas

Click on the link to each of these practice areas for a full description of activities and therapies involved in each area.

1. Working with Children and Youth
Young children, youth, and their families all benefit from OTA expertise.

2. Improving Health and Wellness
OTAs participate in all areas of the health and wellness equation, from education to recommending adaptive equipment.

3. Work and Industry
For employers, OTAs can evaluate tasks a recovering worker can do safely.

4. Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation addresses issues someone has about re-engaging in preferred daily activities.

5. Quality of Life
With an occupational therapy assistant degree, you’re working toward someone’s best-possible life.

6. Mental Health Issues
OTAs, often in coordination with other healthcare practitioners, help find answers to mental health issues.

Earn Your OTA Degree from CUKC

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university located in Overland Park, Kansas. CUKC offers an accelerated Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree) in Occupational Therapy Assistant. The CUKC degree program includes the four-to-five months of patient-focused fieldwork experience mandated by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

April is an excellent time to begin investigating your career as an OTA. You won’t have to wait long to get started. CUKC has an OTA class session beginning in the summer, fall, and spring every year.

Other features the CUKC OTA degree program:

• Complete the A.A.S. degree in as little as two years
• Focused 8-week courses
• Dedicated on-campus simulated living quarters lab
• Includes 4-to-6 months of fieldwork experience
• Prepares you to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

Get the answers you want about the two-year OTA degree from an advisor or explore the career opportunities by downloading the free ebook: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.