What is OTA school? An occupational therapy assistant program is a degree-conferring program that prepares students to become occupational therapy assistants (OTAs). At St. Kate’s, you can expect a combination of online coursework, in-person skills labs, and in-person fieldwork assignments. The graduation timeline is around 16 to 24 months.
Becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) requires hard work and dedication, but you’ll never be alone in your pursuit. St. Catherine University’s Online Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers an individualized, supported experience. From the moment you talk to an admissions counselor to the day you test for the NBCOT exam, you’ll have a lot of support to help you along the way.
Before enrolling in our online OTA program, take a closer look at questions such as, “What is OTA school?” and “How long is occupational therapy school?” Learn about the curriculum's difficulty level and what to expect during fieldwork.
What Is OTA School?
An OTA school is an institute of higher education that offers an occupational therapy assistant program. These programs typically confer an Associate of Science (AS) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in OTA. Students can graduate in as few as 16 months or longer, depending on the program.
Some OTA schools may offer a hybrid approach, with online learning components that make earning a degree more feasible. St. Kate’s online OTA program embraces a hybrid learning model, with 80% of the degree program available online and 20% in person.
What Is Occupational Therapy School Like?
Coursework and fieldwork are the two cornerstones of OTA school. You’ll start the program by enrolling in one to three semesters of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses, followed by the four-semester OTA Professional Sequence courses.
These LAS courses are offered 100% online and help to make you a well-rounded OTA. You’ll need to put in the time to do well in these courses, as you must have a 2.5 grade point average across the four LAS prerequisite courses to move on to the OTA Professional Sequence courses.
The OTA courses comprise a series of predetermined courses in a fixed, four-semester sequence.
During the OTA Professional Sequence courses, you’ll be expected to attend and participate in a total of eight skills labs. These labs take place once a month over each of the first three semesters of the sequence.
In your last semester of the sequence, you’ll participate in two eight-week-long fieldwork experiences. Fieldwork is full-time, in-person learning, with an immersive, hands-on approach.
Learn what to look for in an accredited OTA program.
What Do Students Learn in an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program?
What is occupational therapy school like in terms of its curriculum? Every school is a little different. At St. Kate’s, you can expect a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything an OTA needs to know. The prerequisites for the OTA professional courses cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and psychology.
In the OTA Professional Sequence courses, you’ll study topics ranging from the role of the OTA to the foundational principles of human occupation and more. Other topics include psychosocial approaches to rehabilitation, working with senior and pediatric patients, and the principles and practices of rehabilitation.
Is OTA School Hard?
St. Kate’s online occupational therapy assistant program can be challenging, in part due to its fast pace. During the 16-month program, you’ll complete a total of 63 credit hours. You’ll need to be committed to your coursework for the duration of the program.
Is OTA school hard in terms of the curriculum? Like other academic programs, there may be some classes that you find more challenging than others. At St. Kate’s, our instructors provide personalized attention to help you succeed.
Applying to an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Each OTA school establishes its own admission requirements and procedures. At St. Kate’s, you can expect to need the following for the AAS in OTA:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.5
If you have prior college education, you may alternatively qualify with a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Your admissions counselor will help you put together a personalized plan for applying to the program. After acceptance, you’ll need to complete other requirements, such as providing proof of up-to-date vaccination status and submitting photos for your student ID.
How Long Is Occupational Therapy School?
The length of your education depends on the program you choose. At St. Kate’s, you can earn your AAS in OTA in as few as 16 months. There is another option, however, as St. Kate’s online OTA program offers a customizable curriculum.
If you’ve already completed your prerequisite courses, you can take your LAS and professional courses simultaneously, graduating in as few as 16 months. If you do still need to complete prerequisites, you can choose to do so before beginning your OTA coursework. This option will require longer than 16 months to graduate, but provides greater scheduling flexibility.
Get your complete guide to becoming an occupational therapy assistant.
Fieldwork: What to Expect Outside the Classroom
You’ll have skills labs and fieldwork for hands-on learning along with your courses. St. Kate’s offers one-day skills labs about a month apart. Because you are not required to live near the program, most participants travel to their skills labs and Fieldwork I.
We even work with our students to identify local practices so that they can complete the bulk of the Level II Fieldwork locally. This way, you get the experience you need without having to relocate.
During the Level II Fieldwork components, you’ll work directly with clients under supervision. You’ll continue to learn as you practice applying theoretical principles, guiding clients through rehabilitative exercises.
Tips for Succeeding in the OTA Program
Succeeding in an occupational therapy assistant program takes hard work and dedication. You’ll need to adjust your schedule and other commitments to accommodate your coursework, fieldwork, and studying. It’s important to keep your goals in mind to sustain your motivation.
You’ll have a cohort throughout your program to connect with, lean on, and study with. All of you will be going through the program together, and your cohort can be a great source of networking, emotional support, and friendship.
Everyone in your cohort has the same goal: to become an OTA. Take the time to build connections with your peers and form study groups, whether online or in person. Seek out each other’s help when you need it and be willing to help in turn.
Life After Graduation From an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
The last step toward becoming an OTA is to pass the NBCOT® exam. Preparing for the NBCOT can be intimidating, but at St. Kate’s, our students benefit from the NBCOT Prep Coaching Program.
During your third semester, you’ll be given a 200-question practice exam. You’ll then receive a customized seven-week study plan based on your results. You’ll also participate in weekly group study sessions with your peers and meet one-on-one with a licensed occupational therapist coach who will provide you with guidance.
Start the Admission Process Today at St. Kate
As the first university in the nation to offer an occupational therapy assistant program, St. Kate’s sets the standard for the field. Benefit from curriculum options, predominantly online learning, and receive personalized support as you pursue your new career.
Request information and take the first step today.
