An associate degree is required to become an occupational therapy assistant, which is a degree program typically found through community and technical colleges. OTAs help patients through therapeutic activities, work with children who have development disabilities, teach patients how to use special equipment, develop treatment plans in collaboration with an occupational therapist, and record patients? progress. OTAs work under the supervision of occupational therapists and therefore must report to them. Most occupational therapist assistants work in occupational therapy or physical therapy offices, but an individual may also find employment in nursing care facilities; home health care services; elementary and secondary schools; and state, local, and private medical and surgical hospitals. Most states require occupational therapy assistants to be licensed.
Students should expect courses in human growth and development, anatomy, physiology, occupational therapy principles, humanities, sociology, medical conditions, developmental disabilities, and psychosocial dysfunction. Students learn different exercise techniques, disability types, rehabilitation routines, treatment plans, and proper record keeping. They also develop their analysis and communication skills, as well as assorted office skills.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapy assistants have a job outlook of 41 percent, which is must larger than average, and the median annual wage in May 2010 was $51,010.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USCabarrus College of Health Sciences offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 20 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 20 Associate's degrees.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 21 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 21 Associate's degrees.
Mercy University offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 12 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 12 Associate's degrees.
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 161 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 161 Associate's degrees.
University of Louisiana at Monroe offers 2 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 30 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 30 Associate's degrees.
Radford University offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2024, 15 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 15 Associate's degrees.
University of Missouri-Columbia offers 2 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2024, 11 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 11 Bachelor's degrees.
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 27 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 27 Associate's degrees.
New England Institute of Technology offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2024, 10 Occupational Therapist Assistant students graduated with students earning 10 Associate's degrees.
University of Southern Maine offers 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a small city.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Touro University New York, NY | 27 : 1 | 11,937 | |
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Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord, NC | 19 : 1 | 924 | |
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ | 23 : 1 | 52,269 | |
|
Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA | 13 : 1 | 4,210 | |
|
Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NY | 40 : 1 | 8,991 | |