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Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree Program

Train to help patients with physical, mental or developmental challenges.

20
months
ACOTE®
ACCREDITED PROGRAM
OC
Campus
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By clicking above, I consent to receive calls, emails and/or text messages** by a college representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with ACC. I understand that I am not required to provide consent as a condition of any purchase. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

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OTA program graduates can help patients become more independent and achieve better quality of life.

When you earn an occupational therapy assistant degree, you get hands-on training to work with patients of all ages — helping them develop fine-motor skills, improve hand-eye coordination and enhance their social skills. Support your patients as they work on the skills they need to become more independent in day-to-day tasks.

Looking for the right occupational therapy assistant school? ACC’s 20-month Occupational Therapy Assistant program helps prepare you through classroom, lab and real-world experience. Train to help patients with physical impairments, mental illness, or developmental challenges. Gain knowledge that helps prepare you to work with children with sensory processing disorders, learning challenges and more.

Find an Occupational Therapy Assistant program near you. Our program is available at our Orange County campus in Anaheim.

This program is taught in a blended format combining online classes with in-person instruction.

Program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

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In ACC's Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, You'll Learn to:

Learn to Enhance Quality of Life

Help Enhance Quality of Life

Create environmental and task-related adaptations to improve patients’ ability to perform daily activities such as dressing and bathing.

Learn Patient Care

Care for Patients

Practice measuring and recording patient heart rates.

Learn to Maintain Progress Reports

Maintain Progress Reports

Record patients’ progress, report to occupational therapists and carry out other administrative tasks.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Course List

Learn more about what's in store for you in the Occupational Therapy Assistant associate of occupational science degree program. For more on occupational therapy assistant courses, visit the college catalog.

General Education Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Quarter Credits

ANAT200 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology 20 2.0
ANAT200-L Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab 40 2.0
ENGL100 Written Communications I 40 4.0
MATH100 College Mathematics I 40 4.0
PSYC100 Introduction to Psychology 40 4.0
 

Totals

180

16.0

Course Number: ANAT200

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Clock Hours20
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: ANAT200-L

Title Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Lab
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 2.0

Course Number: ENGL100

Title Written Communications I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: MATH100

Title College Mathematics I
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

Course Number: PSYC100

Title Introduction to Psychology
Clock Hours40
Quarter Credits 4.0

TOTALS

Clock Hours

180

Quarter Credits

16.0

Core Courses

Course Number

Title

Clock Hours

Clinical Hours

Quarter Credits

ANAT206 Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals 60 0 4.0
OTA100 Principles of OT 20 0 2.0
HP205 Professional Communication for Health Professionals 50 0 3.0
OTA130 Conditions in Occupational Therapy I 60 0 4.0
OTA200 Therapeutic use of Occupations 60 0 4.0
OTA170 Conditions in Occupational Therapy II 60 0 4.0
OTA210 Human Structure and Function in Occupational Therapy 60 0 4.0
MDTR400 Medical Terminology 10 0 1.0
OTA220 Group Dynamics and Leadership 30 0 2.0
OTA225 Introduction to Fieldwork 20 0 1.0
OTA245 Occupational Performance from Birth to Adolescence 80 0 5.0
OTA230 Level I Fieldwork 80 60 3.0
OTA250 Occupational Therapy Services in Psychosocial Settings 60 0 4.0
OTA260 Occupational Performance in Adulthood 80 0 5.0
HP220 Inter-professional Collaborative Practice & Cultural Competence in Healthcare 40 0 3.0
OTA270 Occupational Performance in the Elderly 80 0 5.0
OTA280 OTA Clinical Competency 30 0 2.0
HP230 Business Concepts in Healthcare 20 0 2.0
OTA300A Level II Fieldwork A § 340 320 12.5
OTA300B Level II Fieldwork B § 340 320 12.5
 

Totals

1580

700

83.0

Course Number: ANAT206

Title Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: OTA100

Title Principles of OT
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: HP205

Title Professional Communication for Health Professionals
Clock Hours50
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits3.0

Course Number: OTA130

Title Conditions in Occupational Therapy I
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: OTA200

Title Therapeutic use of Occupations
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: OTA170

Title Conditions in Occupational Therapy II
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: OTA210

Title Human Structure and Function in Occupational Therapy
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: MDTR400

Title Medical Terminology
Clock Hours10
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits1.0

Course Number: OTA220

Title Group Dynamics and Leadership
Clock Hours30
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: OTA225

Title Introduction to Fieldwork
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits1.0

Course Number: OTA245

Title Occupational Performance from Birth to Adolescence
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits5.0

Course Number: OTA230

Title Level I Fieldwork
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours60
Quarter Credits3.0

Course Number: OTA250

Title Occupational Therapy Services in Psychosocial Settings
Clock Hours60
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits4.0

Course Number: OTA260

Title Occupational Performance in Adulthood
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits5.0

Course Number: HP220

Title Inter-professional Collaborative Practice & Cultural Competence in Healthcare
Clock Hours40
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits3.0

Course Number: OTA270

Title Occupational Performance in the Elderly
Clock Hours80
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits5.0

Course Number: OTA280

Title OTA Clinical Competency
Clock Hours30
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: HP230

Title Business Concepts in Healthcare
Clock Hours20
Clinical Hours0
Quarter Credits2.0

Course Number: OTA300A

Title Level II Fieldwork A §
Clock Hours340
Clinical Hours320
Quarter Credits12.5

Course Number: OTA300B

Title Level II Fieldwork B §
Clock Hours340
Clinical Hours320
Quarter Credits12.5

TOTALS

Clock Hours

1580

Clinical Hours

700

Quarter Credits

83.0

Courses offered in a blended format, a combination of online and on ground.
Courses offered online.
§ Courses offered on ground.

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 99.0

Occupational Therapy Assistant
OTA Program Overview

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program curriculum exposes students to traditional areas of practice where occupational therapy professionals deliver their services. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Working with children and youth in clinical inpatient and clinical outpatient services, as well as in schools
  • Working with adults in clinical inpatient and clinical outpatient services, as well as in work hardening programs
  • Working with older adults in hospitals, long-term care facilities and in day care centers
  • Working with adults with mental health and behavioral challenges who receive OT services in behavioral clinics, acute care community hospitals and state hospitals

Students in OTA school will also have direct exposure to emerging practice areas, specifically to the driver rehabilitation program.

Through the OTA program, students have the opportunity to learn how to implement care plans, educate patients and caregivers, be sensitive to patients’ different cultural backgrounds, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care.

Personal attitude is very important in the delivery of healthcare. As such, occupational therapy assistant school emphasizes students’ awareness of their own behavioral strengths and weaknesses using a modified form of the Generic Abilities Assessment tool.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (Associate of Occupational Science) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (ACOTE 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; Phone: 301-652-AOTA / www.acoteonline.org).

Graduates of the accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program are eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupation therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate‘s ability to perform fieldwork, take the NBCOT certification examination, and attain state licensure. Program performance data can be accessed via the following link: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.

Tuition

Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the cost of occupational therapy assistant school and help you explore financial aid options.

To learn more about ACC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program cost, access our tuition info.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Graduation Year Students Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate
2021 29/28 96.6%
2022 36/27 75%
2023 38/24 63%
TOTAL 103/79 77%

 

From lectures to real-world experience, our ACC programs are designed with your career in mind.

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From lectures to labs, our ACC curriculum is designed with you in mind.
What does an occupational therapy assistant do?

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs), work closely with occupational therapists to lead patients through exercises and therapies. OTAs are an important part of a team that’s dedicated to helping patients develop skills for day-to-day living.

They can work with adults who have been through accidents or illnesses, helping ensure they can do daily tasks like buttoning their shirts or making breakfast. They also work with individuals who have mental illness, cognitive impairments, psychosocial dysfunction or developmental challenges. Additionally, OTAs can also work with children who have sensory processing disorders or learning challenges, helping them develop fine-motor skills, hand-eye coordination, social skills and more.1

Here are some things occupational therapy assistants do:

  • Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capacities
  • Help patients do therapeutic activities, such as stretches
  • Lead children who have developmental disabilities in play activities that promote coordination and socialization
  • Instruct patients and families in the use of adaptive equipment
  • Observe and record progress
  • Implement plans designed to help patients function independently. 2, 3

1Occupational Therapy (for Parents) - Nemours Kids Health,  Finlan , kidshealth.org/en/parents/occupational-therapy.html 

2https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=&careerID=&menuChoice=occExplorer&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=312011&search=Explore+Occupation 

3Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm#tab-2 

Am I a good fit for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

If you want a hands-on career that has you working with people one-on-one to help improve patients’ quality of life and independence, you might enjoy occupational therapy.

Here are some of the top skills and attributes that make for a great occupational therapy assistant:

Active listening – A good occupational therapy assistant can actively listen to their patients and understand their unique needs and goals.

Communication – Because occupational therapy assistants work directly with patients, they must be able to communicate effectively with them, explaining exercises, adaptive devices, and more.

Social perceptiveness - Being aware of and understanding patients’ reactions helps occupational therapy assistants provide patient-centered service.

Service orientation – A great occupational therapy assistant has a passion for helping patients and for providing the best care possible.

Instructing – Occupational therapy assistants must be able to lead patients through exercises and teach them how to properly use any assistive devices.

Is ACC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited?

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (Associate of Occupational Science) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (ACOTE 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; Phone: 301-652-AOTA / www.acoteonline.org).

Graduates of the accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program are eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupation therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate‘s ability to perform fieldwork, take the NBCOT certification examination, and attain state licensure.

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.

Graduation Year Students Entering / Graduating Graduation Rate
2020 50/40 80%
2021 29/28 96.6%
2022 36/27 75%
TOTAL 159/95 82.6%
Where can I work as an occupational therapy assistant?

Occupational therapy assistants can work in a variety of settings, including:

  • Offices of other health practitioners
  • Nursing care facilities
  • General medical and surgical hospitals1

1California Employment Development Department Occupation Profile, Occupational Therapy Assistants

What will I learn in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

Our philosophical belief is that humans are active beings—and the Occupational Therapy Assistant class curriculum encourages students to become active in their own process of learning. The class curriculum follows a human developmental model (biological and psychological) as the conceptual framework and the three domains of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning Domains.

The human developmental model is used to guide college students in developing their clinical skills, and in understanding the impact of challenges on occupational performance during the life span of individuals. The three domains of Bloom’s taxonomy (knowledge, skills and attitude) are applied throughout the class curriculum.

The class curriculum has been developed to promote the development and shaping of intellectual skills. Students will recognize facts, procedural patterns and concepts. The acquisition of skills pertinent to the profession, such as practice of hands-on activities, is of utmost importance and is used extensively throughout the school's program.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and fieldwork experience, you’ll gain skills that will help prepare you to work with a diverse range of patients, including adults with mental illness, children with disabilities, people recovering from accidents/injuries and more.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is 99 quarter credits to be completed in 20 months. The last four months of the school's program are dedicated to full-time fieldwork experience (clinical education under the supervision of an OTA or OT professional).

General Education Courses:
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology – Lab
Written Communications I
College Mathematics I
Introduction to Psychology

Core Occupational Therapy Assistant and Other Courses:
Anatomy and Physiology for Rehab Professionals
Principles of OT
Conditions in Occupational Therapy I
Therapeutic Use of Occupations
Conditions in Occupational Therapy II
Medical Terminology
Human Structure and Function in Occupational Therapy
Professional Communication for Health Professionals
Group Dynamics and Leadership
Introduction to Fieldwork
Occupational Performance from Birth and Adolescence
Level I Field Work

Occupational Therapy Services in Psychosocial Settings
Occupational Performance in Adulthood
Inter-professional Collaborative Practice and Cultural Competence in Healthcare
Occupational Performance in the Elderly
OTA Clinical Competency
Business Concepts in Healthcare
Level II Fieldwork A
Level II Fieldwork B

For a complete description of coursework in these modules, please refer to the ACC Catalog.

How long is the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

Students can earn their occupational therapy assistant associate degree in as little as 20 months.

How much does the Occupational Therapy Assistant program cost?

Our admissions advisors and financial aid advisors are here to support you. They can help you figure out the occuptational therapy assistant school cost and help you explore financial aid options.

To learn more about ACC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program cost, access our tuition info.

Is Financial Aid Available?

Yes, financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.

Will I get real-world occupational therapy assistant training?

Yes! ACC's Occupational Therapy Assistant program includes over 700 hours of field work which gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the knowledge and skills they acquired learning hands-on throughout the training program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant
We believe that humans are active beings.

Our Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program gives you an education modeled after real-life situations, allowing you to make a real impact on people's lives in a rewarding and growing career.

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"From financial aid down to the reps here, they really care about the students."

- Anthony R.

Occupational Therapy Assistant
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in California

So, you’re interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant. You’ve done your research into what an OTA does, where and how they work and who they help, and you think it may be the right fit for you.

See Career Guide

What's Happening at American Career College
Want more details about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

By clicking above, I consent to receive calls, emails and/or text messages** by a college representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with ACC. I understand that I am not required to provide consent as a condition of any purchase. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required

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