Occupational Therapy Assistant, AS (OTA)

This program is available in the following Florida campuses:

Daytona Beach Campus, Fort Lauderdale Campus, Fort Myers Campus, Jacksonville Campus, Melbourne Campus, Miami Campus, Orlando Campus, Pembroke Pines Campus, Tallahassee Campus, Tampa Campus, West Palm Beach Campus

Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant prepares students to work as occupational therapy assistants under direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. Occupational therapy is the art and science of helping people gain skills needed to become independent in daily living activities. Students learn the therapeutic use of occupations which include self-care, work and play/leisure activities in order to maximize independent function, enhance development, prevent disability and maintain health. Intervention strategies may include adaptations to a task or environment or compensatory approaches in order to facilitate clients’ achievement of maximum independence.

Click here to see Keiser University OTA Program Performance Data on the NBCOT® National Certification Examination. When you get to the site, select ‘Florida’ for the state and ‘OTA Level Program’ for the program type and choose the year you’d like the view the results for.

Keiser University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Miami, Pembroke Pines, Jacksonville, Daytona, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach campuses, are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). ACOTE can be reached at ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929  Office phone: (301) 652-AOTA www.acoteonline.org.

The occupational therapy assistant program at Keiser University-Melbourne, Melbourne, Florida, was placed on Probationary Accreditation effective April 22, 2023, because the area of noncompliance related to 2018 Standard A.6.4 (certification exam pass rate) is so serious that the capability of the program to provide acceptable educational experiences for the students is threatened. In addition, based on review of the 2023 Annual Report, ACOTE determined that the program was in noncompliance with 2018 Standard A.4.4 (published policies). ACOTE voted to grant the program’s request to extend the time frame for compliance with 2018 Standard A.6.4 until August 2024.

The occupational therapy assistant program at Keiser University-Orlando, Orlando, Florida, was placed on Probationary Accreditation effective April 22, 2023, because the area of noncompliance related to 2018 Standard A.6.4 (certification exam pass rate) is so serious that the capability of the program to provide acceptable educational experiences for the students is threatened. In addition, based on review of the 2023 Annual Report, ACOTE determined that the program was in noncompliance with 2018 Standard A.4.4 (published policies). ACOTE voted to grant the program’s request to extend the time frame for compliance with 2018 Standard A.6.4 until August 2024.

Program Objectives

The following objectives are designed to meet Keiser University’s mission and its objectives.

• To provide an environment in which students demonstrate ethical behaviors, critical thinking skills and commitment to lifelong learning as required of a competent healthcare professional;
• Students demonstrate emerging clinical skills in treatment techniques, methodology and rationale for implementation, including clinical documentation and reasoning skills as an entry-level professional;
• Students demonstrate an academic foundation that clearly evidences occupational therapy’s unique focus on daily living activities and interventions that promote clients’ participation within a social/cultural context.

Program Goals

The program’s mission is further defined in the following goals:

• Students will demonstrate critical thinking, communication skills and a commitment to lifelong learning;
• Students will possess employable entry-level skills required for the profession;
• Students will demonstrate ethical behavior that promotes client participation within a social/cultural context.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Testimonial

Prerequisites for Major Courses

• Satisfactory background check and drug screening (for information on graduate’s eligibility for certification and credentialing click here). 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 graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure;
• Completion of general education courses with a minimum grade of ―”C” for each course.  Successful completion of the following prerequisite courses: BSC2085C, BSC2086C, MAT1033 and PSY1012;
• Cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Cost of Attendance

• View OTA Tuition & Costs

Program Outline

To receive an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, students must earn 83 credit hours. Program requirements are as follows.

Each course in the Occupational Therapy Assistant major is a prerequisite for the subsequent course and therefore must be passed with a minimum “C” grade in order to proceed successfully through the program.

Program Outcomes

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State Licensure Disclosure

• Click here for State Licensure Disclosure Information