Occupational Therapy Assistant

10-514-1 Associate Degree (two-year)
Offered at Ashland, New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, and Superior*
*Via ITV (interactive television)

Competence. Attitude. Life Skills.

The WITC associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) prepares you to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), or for employment in related jobs. In the traditional setting, the COTA provides services under the supervision of an occupational therapist using goal-directed activities to prevent, lessen, or overcome difficulty in attaining, maintaining, or developing occupations: daily living skills, play, leisure, and/or work skills. Services are provided in various environments including hospitals, geriatric centers, schools, homes, and communities. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Program graduates are eligible to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA).
 

Empathetic. Flexible. Personable.

Successful graduates have certain characteristics and skills that help them succeed in the industry. To prepare for your career in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, school, day treatment, or community-based program, you should strive to reach a comfort level in the following courses or skills:

• Biology
• Anatomy
• Communications
• Psychology
• Basic computer skills

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

   To be a student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, you must:

• Meet the OTA standard on the WITC entrance admissions test
• Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate or be currently enrolled in a secondary Youth Options program
• Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check, and/or other states as applicable
• Pass a physical exam, have current immunizations, and demonstrate negative status for tuberculosis (Tb)
• Complete one year of high school or one semester of college-level chemistry with a C- or better

Program Outcomes

Employers will expect you, as a graduate of the program, to be able to:

• Adhere to ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession
• Practice within the distinct role and responsibility of the occupational therapy assistant
• Advocate for the profession, services, and consumers
• Value lifelong learning and the need to keep current with best practice
• Apply occupational therapy principles and intervention tools to achieve expected outcomes
• Serve a diverse population in a variety of systems that are consistent with entry-level practice

Program Costs

The estimated total program cost for the two-year Occupational Therapy Assistant program is approximately $8,300. This program is eligible for financial aid. View more information on program and costs.

Accredited. Reputable. Nationally Recognized.

WITC's Occupational Therapy Assistance program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, phone 301-652-AOTA. Graduates of the program will be able 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). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.