Online OTA Admissions Overview

During the OTA admission process, an advisor will assist you in developing an enrollment plan that works toward your preferred start date, as the program offers three starts per year.

While our OTA program offers start dates in January, May, and August, our university reviews and responds to applications on a rolling basis. This means:

You benefit from a longer-than-usual application period.
You don’t have to wait long for an acceptance decision
If you apply early, you may face less competition (spots can fill up quickly).

Remember, the longer you delay your application, the more challenging it could become to secure a spot for your preferred start date.

Customizable Curriculum

Your advisor will help you understand our two curriculum options, which affect how long it takes to complete the program.

Option One

Complete the program in as few as 16 months of study if all prerequisites have been completed and a student has a previous degree. This option requires you to complete your LIFE Core and OTA courses simultaneously as part of our LIFE general education core curriculum. Only after completing yourLIFE Core courses and prerequisites can you move on to the curriculum’s OTA Professional Sequence phase and the program’s main portion.

Option Two

Complete some or all your LIFE Core courses before beginning the OTA coursework. This more extended option is ideal for students who:

Are still needing prerequisites
Do not currently meet the minimum GPA required to start OTA courses
Want to ease into online learning
Need additional schedule flexibility

With this option, the program will take longer than 16 months, but you will have a lighter course load each semester.

Loading Form

Dedicated Advisors

Our dedicated team of admission advisors works exclusively with online OTA program applicants. Committed to your success, these champions of higher learning go above and beyond to help you understand the full scope of the program and the time commitment involved.

Once you decide to pursue your associate degree as an occupational therapy assistant through St. Catherine University, we assign you an advisor who will help you:

Identify the curriculum option that best applies to you
Stay on task throughout the admissions and application processes
Create an academic plan that works toward your preferred start date

St Kate's OTA student smiling using laptop

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start the admissions process?

The first step in the OTA admissions process is to contact our admissions team by completing the contact form. You will be assigned a dedicated advisor who will guide and support you. Together, you will develop an education timeline with a target start date, application due dates, and other important deadlines to keep you moving toward your goal.

What happens once I meet the eligibility requirements?

Once you and your advisor determine you meet the eligibility requirements, you can proceed with completing the application for our online OTA program. After submitting your application, you will send us your official transcripts for review and start working toward completing prerequisites, if necessary.

Where will I complete my skills labs?

You will complete 12 skills labs at a designated location within your program area. St. Kate’s offers Online OTA program labs in California, Minnesota, Texas, and Virginia.

You are not required to reside in the state where your skills labs will take place; however, you must be willing to travel to your assigned lab location.