The pace of today’s life is continually changing. Your dreams evolve. Your needs grow in step with your family. Suddenly, you find out the job that used to be good enough isn’t. You need to move up. You’re not alone in this – many others have discovered what you now realize. It’s time to explore what a 2-year occupational therapy assistant degree could deliver for you.
Two-Year Healthcare Programs: OTA Degree is a Great Opportunity
Relying on specialized skill sets is a product of the rapid changes occurring in nearly all career fields today. One of the sectors where specialization is occurring the fastest – and needed the most – is in healthcare. Experts say the number of healthcare jobs will expand by 14% over the next decade, fueled by:
OTA is a Focused Career Option
Helping meet the desire for specialized healthcare practitioners are two-year healthcare programs like the associate of applied science (A.A.S.) in occupational therapy assistant degree. The concentrated, two-year coursework of an applied science degree allows graduates to enter the workforce in as little as two years, instead of four.
When fully accredited universities offer these degree programs and taught by experienced instructors, the A.A.S. degree delivers the competencies today’s employers want.
Why Becoming an OTA is a Tremendous Opportunity
Of the two-year healthcare programs available, the occupational therapy assistant degree offers an impressive combination of personal and professional benefits:
An A.A.S. degree can also serve as a launch point for later career moves, such as additional certifications, elevation to supervisory positions, or the decision to become an occupational therapist (OT). OTA-to-OT bridge programs for working OTAs often use distance learning and on-site classes.
Making a Move Up is Worthwhile
Becoming an OTA requires proper preparation and a determination to succeed, but the result of this hard work is worth it. Occupational therapy assistants have higher average salaries than other healthcare support roles, such as Certified Nursing Assistants or Certified Medical Assistants, according to reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The median salary for those completing an occupational therapy assistant degree is 53,298 – $64,996, vs. the median wage for all occupations ($50,620). OTAs also have a wide variety of work settings:
OTA Degree: A 2-Year Healthcare Program at CUKC
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, healthcare-focused university in Overland Park, Kansas. CUKC offers a two-year applied science degree: the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Beyond the class and lab time that introduces knowledge and client skills, our occupational therapy assistant degree helps ensure career confidence through supervised multiple-month fieldwork experiences. (More about OTA fieldwork here.)
The CUKC program prepares you for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certification Examination to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Employers love to see COTA certification because this designation tells employers you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of their clients.
Request information to learn about the CUKC 2-year OTA degree, or download the free career ebook today: Your Complete Guide to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Career.
