Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) (AS)
Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) (AS)
Learn how to become an occupational therapy assistant with the South College Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program, available in Asheville, Knoxville, and Nashville. Develop the skills to become an OTA and start working toward tomorrow’s career in occupational therapy today.
Your Future Starts Here.
Degree Features
Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) (AS)
-
Program Duration
24 months (full-time)
-
Financial Aid
Available for qualified OTA program applicants
-
Location
Earn your AS in OTA degree in Asheville, Knoxville, or Nashville!
Financial Aid
Financial aid, offered through a variety of government, state, and local programs, grants, and scholarships—like Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, South College Promise, and others—is available to those who qualify. To learn about financial aid options for our OTA degree program contact us today.
Industry Outlook
Under the direction of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants provide therapy directly to children, adults, and seniors living with a wide variety of conditions. In doing so, they help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working while adhering to a patient’s physical and psychological needs. At South College, our OTA program can offer exposure to and guided practice in schools, community settings, clinical environments, and more, helping prepare you to pursue career opportunities in the wide range of occupational therapy environments.
Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) (AS)
Program Overview
The South College Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program offers immersive classroom and fieldwork instruction designed to prepare you for working with an occupational therapist to help patients overcome difficulties and live a healthier, fuller life. In the OTA program, you can learn current and emerging OT practices with hands-on access to therapy equipment and supplies. Through experiential learning and exposure to the professional occupational therapy community, you can develop your clinical reasoning skills as well as your ability to provide quality client-centered care and prioritize holistic client needs. Our Occupational Therapy Assistant program also offers a full-time fieldwork experience, allowing you to practice and hone your skills under the supervision of an OT practitioner.
South College
Accreditation
South College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the doctorate, educational specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate levels, as well as certificates. Questions about the accreditation of South College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Asheville
The South College Occupational Therapy Assistant program offered at the Asheville campus 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, www.acoteonline.org. ACOTE’s telephone number is (301) 652-6611. Accreditation was granted in August 2022 for 7 years with the next site visit to be scheduled during the 2028/2029 academic year.
Knoxville
The South College Occupational Therapy Assistant – Knoxville campus 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 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 ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATION ACCREDITATION MANUAL VI.E. Revised July 2019 Section VI – Page 19 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, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Nashville
The South College – Nashville Occupational Therapy Assistant program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status 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 telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-2682 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. The on-site evaluation is scheduled for October 26-28th, 2020.