Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to begin offering the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program. This degree prepares students for certification and licensure in one of the top health care support jobs in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 40% from 2014 to 2024, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations.
Occupational therapy assistants play a vital role in health care. They implement treatment plans and goals written by an occupational therapist. Someone may need occupational therapy to improve their ability to perform daily activities due to an accident, disability, or a lifelong health condition.
The addition of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at CUKC is part of the University’s planned College of Health Sciences expansion. CUKC anticipates offering more health science programs to meet a broad range of health care careers that promote wellness. Dr. Cheryl Carpenter-Davis, CUKC Dean of College of Health Sciences, is guiding the expansion by strategically selecting professional programs that align with the University’s mission and integrate chiropractic within the healthcare system.
“The Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program at CUKC will prepare future professionals in a ‘white-coat’ culture that offers top-notch faculty, small class sizes, and experience in clinical practice,” Carpenter-Davis said.
Dr. Andy J. Wu, director of the CUKC Occupational Therapy Assistant program, stated that the OTA program at CUKC is scheduled to start in January 2018, contingent upon the approval of the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
