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Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant

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As you work toward your future professional goals, review the related information at the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Keys to Success

A successful Occupational Therapy Assistant is committed to knowledgeable and ethical patient care. Professionalism in classroom and clinical settings is a must. Good communication skills with medical providers, patients and their families are also vital to success in this career. If you are compassionate, motivated, and disciplined, this is the program for you.

South College is committed to helping you reach your goals and provides many avenues for support, from free tutoring to frequent access to experienced faculty members. We endeavor to match students with the best fieldwork experiences possible. Students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program leave well-prepared to meet the demands of a challenging and fulfilling career.

South College

 

Continuing Education

Additional Information

  • Mission and Additional Program Information
  • Student Learning Outcomes
    • Asheville
      • South College Asheville Location Graduation Rates
        Calendar YearStudents Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate
        2021 (13/13) 100%
        2022 (8/8) 100%
        2023 4/TBD September 2023 TBD
        3 Year Average 25/TBD September 2023 TBD
        Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.
    • Knoxville
      • South College Knoxville Location Graduation Rates                                             
        Graduation Year Students Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate
        2021 17/17 100%
        2022 9/8 88.9%
        2023 13/TBD September 2023 TBD
        3 Year Average 39/TBD September 2023 TBD
      • Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.
    • Nashville
      • South College Nashville Location Graduation Rates                                           
        Graduation Year Students Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate
        2021 5/5 100%
        2022 9/7 77%
        2023 6/5 83%
        3-year average 20/17  85%
      • Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

Accreditation or Approval

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) 652-6611 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 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 associate-degree-level 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 telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611 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 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.

 

 

Consumer Information

Amounts for tuition, fees, books, and supplies are subject to change. South College follows the required methodology provided by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission for the reporting of employment information for graduates. This information is compiled on an annual basis and published via the institution website each year for graduates during the most recently completed reporting year (July 1-June 30). For more detailed information related to the calculation of graduate employment rates, please click here.

Success At South College

Shawn Domm

I chose South College because it came highly recommended from mentors of mine, the faculty is second to none, and the program fits my ever-changing lifestyle. I also chose it because of the flexibility. My wife is still serving in the United States Air Force on Active Duty, and this means that we move when they tell us to move.

- Shawn Domm, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Emma Parrinello, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant

The staff and faculty are always very kind and generous and provide help when needed. Take advantage of all of the awesome opportunities and features they offer. These factors can really help pave your way to success.

- Emma Parrinello, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant
Kaui Chang, Physical Therapy

South has helped me appreciate the hands-on portion of our curriculum and prepared me for different scenarios that I will come into contact with in my future career. Although it may not be a traditional classroom setting, you still connect with classmates and faculty as much as you can. It is challenging, but totally worth it!

- Kaui Chang, Physical Therapy
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