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Do you think that you might be interested in this degree? Schedule an appointment with an advisor to get started or just talk over your options. Working with your advisor can help you to meet your academic goals in the shortest time possible.

To start, contact (740) 351-3770 or kmoore@shawnee.edu

Applications for Fall 2024 are due April 1, 2024.

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Career Pathway

To become an occupational therapy assistant, you must complete an educational program. The majority of these are two-year associate degree programs like the one at Shawnee State University.

Studies include basic academic subjects, human growth and development, the functioning of the human body, and occupational therapy principles and techniques. The OTA program requires two, eight-week rotations of supervised practical experience in a variety of health care settings.

After successfully completing the educational program, you are eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant. Many states, including Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, also require licensing by their respective states to practice occupational therapy.

Accreditation

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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD  20852-4929. ACOTE’s phone number, c/o AOTA (301) 652-AOTA and its website is acoteonline.org

Graduates of the program are able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT); however, the NBCOT sets its own criteria for taking the exam, which may include questions on the applicant's criminal history. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification examination or attain state licensure. For more information on these limitations, you can contact NBCOT at (301) 990-7979. 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.

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