Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Turn your compassion into a rewarding career

Occupational Therapy Assistants play a key role in the treatment and rehabilitation of clients aiming to gain the skillsets to live independent, fulfilling lives. Individuals in need of occupational therapy are typically limited by a physical illness or injury, an emotional disorder, a developmental disability, or the aging process. As an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), you will be responsible for supervising your clients as they restore and maintain independence while performing everyday life skills. Seeing improved client outcomes and quality of life as a result of your work will lead to an immense sense of fulfillment and career satisfaction — you’ll know you’re truly making a difference.

Become an advocate for your clients

When you pursue a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you are committing to advocate for your clients’ personal and healthcare needs. At Goodwin University, you’ll gain the critical thinking and interpersonal skills to help you fully understand client needs and develop solutions accordingly. Participating in clinical training sessions will allow you to sharpen your active listening skills and strategize best practices for addressing client needs.

Gain the skills to become nationally certified

In order to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you will be required to sit for the national certification administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Connecticut also requires a license in order to practice occupational therapy, which is based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Exam.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Goodwin University will prepare you to gain certification and licensure after you graduate. Our program will teach you how to implement interventions, support client participation, and work with Registered Occupational Therapists to provide quality care, all of which are requirements to earn certification and licensure.

Open a world of career possibilities

When you earn your associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant at our school, you’ll be well-equipped to enter a variety of in-demand career settings, including the following:

  • Alternative community settings
  • Assisted living facility
  • Geriatrics
  • Homes
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Pediatrics
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Schools
  • And more!

We do things differently

Career-focused programs

Our degree programs are designed with your career in mind. We combine traditional classroom learning with hands-on learning experiences to help you prepare for real-world success in your field. As part of our Occupational Therapy Assistant program, you’ll work alongside practicing OTA professionals to engage in clinical work, where you’ll learn the fabrication of splints, vocational training, training in activities of daily living, and more.

Flexible scheduling

At Goodwin, we believe that taking care of your personal responsibilities is just as important as reaching your career goals. Our Occupational Therapy Assistant school offers flexible scheduling that will allow you to get your degree without sacrificing your professional or personal life. Our program offers day and evening classes, weekend classes, and a combination of on-campus and hybrid curriculums that allow you the flexibility to advance your career.

Affordability

Paying for college doesn’t have to be stressful. We offer a variety of financial aid opportunities to help you afford your education. Students may be eligible for grants and scholarships that don’t have to be paid back, student loans that have to be repaid, and work-study opportunities that provide a regular paycheck.

Support services

We are committed to supporting our students in any way possible. This includes offering services to help you both personally and professionally. Here’s a look at the resources you can take advantage of when you earn your degree at Goodwin.

We’re ready when you are

Contact us today!

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Find more information in the academic catalog.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program will be eligible 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). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. When you apply to sit for the certification exam, you will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felony convictions. For further information on these limitations, contact NBCOT. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain licensure. Connecticut requires a license in order to practice occupational therapy and the license is based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Cohort Number of Graduates Graduation Rate
2021 25 89.3%
2022 22 73.3%
2023 21 80.8%
2021-23 (Totals) 68 85.7%

Program results from the National Board for Certification (NBCOT) in Occupational Therapy can be found on their website.

Occupational Therapy Assistant program tuition and fees:

Credit Count Tuition Rate Course Fee Books and Supplies Total Amount
Semester 1 7 $5,242 $100 (OTA 100) $633.50 $5,975
Semester 2 8 $5,242 $613 $5,855
Semester 3 10 $7,358 $250 (OTA 218) $214.50 $7,822.50
Semester 4 11 $7,358 $195 (OTA 220) $218.75 $7,771.75
$27,424.75

** Tuition and Fees are subject to change **