Discover Your Best “You” With a 2-year OTA Degree 

Helping people of all ages and abilities achieve their best possible lives is what being in the occupational therapy (OT) profession is all about. The most rewarding role in OT is being an occupational therapy assistant – at least, that’s what today’s occupational therapy assistants – OTAs – will tell you. So yes, earning an OTA degree in two years is worth looking into.

The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings support this. Occupational therapy assistant is in the top-20 of “healthcare support” jobs.

Why the OTA Degree? It’s About Helping People Reach Their Goals

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.

Here are a few examples:

• 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 experiencing physical and cognitive changes.

Explore How OT Makes a Difference

Part of what’s attractive about earning the OTA degree is that after graduating, there’s such widespread use for their skills and knowledge.

Occupational therapy focuses on any activity, routine, or daily task people need or want to do to live a fulfilling life. The people OTAs serve need some help, guidance, information, and encouragement.

OTAs help people face situations involving developmental, social, emotional, and physical issues.

In fact, the America Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) defines six practice areas where 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 practice area for a full description of activities and therapies.

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

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

Work and Industry
For employers, those with an OTA degree can evaluate tasks a recovering worker can do safely.

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

Quality of Life for Senior Adults
With an OTA degree, you can help senior adults live their best possible lives using adaptive technologies, tools, and safety instruction.

Mental Health Issues
OTAs often coordinate with other healthcare practitioners to 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 Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S. degree) in Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Our OTA program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and includes the four-to-five months of patient-focused fieldwork experiences. (Get a fast connection to an advisor here.)

Features of the CUKC 2-year program:

• Most students complete their A.A.S. degree in as little as two years
• Focused 8-week courses
• Dedicated on-campus simulated living quarters lab
• Prepares you to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
• OTA class starts are available for spring and fall.

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