Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree (BS)
Occupational Therapy Practitioners Improve Lives
Do you want to be directly involved in providing therapy to patients as they develop, recover, and improve skills needed for daily life? That is what students who earn an occupational therapy assistant degree do.
Huntington University’s accredited occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program offers an occupational therapy assistant bachelor's degree to provide our graduates with various opportunities in the workforce and/or paths to graduate school.
There are many benefits for achieving an occupational therapy assistant bachelor's degree:
- Graduates can take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Board Exam and upon passing, practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA),
- Graduates may choose to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy through Huntington University or a master's or doctorate at another university,
- Graduates may choose to pursue a graduate degree in speech therapy, physical therapy, etc. to be a dual certified practitioner,
- Having a bachelor's degree will not limit graduates from leadership positions that minimum require a bachelors degree.
Why Huntington University?
Coursework is completed over four years, with in-depth learning in designated classrooms and laboratory space. Students gain skills in assessment and intervention strategies, professional behaviors, commitment to life-long learning, scholarship, leadership and technology, and professional writing through guided learning experiences.
99% of students receive scholarships to help fund their degree at Huntington University. Check out the financial aid page for more scholarship information.
To learn more about the application process and courses offered in Huntington University's OTA program, check out the OTA Academic Catalog.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Mini-Camp
This camp provides an up-close look at the occupational therapy assistant profession. During this camp will give you experience with the learning experiences and opportunities open to an OTA and what it’s like to be an OTA student. You’ll learn from and work closely with amazing OTA faculty and current students. Campers will stay overnight in an HU residence hall.
NBCOT Eligibility
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 graduate will be an occupational therapy assistant, certified (COTA).
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.
Visit the NBCOT website for pass rate information by university.
Accreditation
Huntington University’s baccalaureate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program is accredited (As of April 9, 2020) 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 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.
Graduation Year/Academic Year | Students Entering/Graduating-Progression/Retention | Graduation Rates | Certification/NBCOT National Board Exam Pass Rate |
2020 | 18/14 | 78% | 100% |
2021 | 11/11 | 100% | 100% |
2022 | 11/11 | 100% | 100% |
Totals/Averages | 91% | 93% | 100% |
OTA Salary and Job Outlook
| 2021 Median Pay | $61,520 per year or $29.58 per hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None Required |
| Number of Jobs, 2021 | 47,000 |
| Job Outlook, 2021-31 | 25% (Much faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2021-31 | 11,500 |
* Data provided by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Want to learn more about what it takes to be an HU OTA student?
The OTA program's admission guidelines can be found in the OTA academic catalog.
Meet the OTA Department Chair / Program Director
Nicole Scheiman
Nicole Scheiman, a native of Huntington Indiana, graduated from Indiana University’s Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (OT) program in 1999. Her clinical experiences including working in the following areas: acute care, transitional care, outpatient rehab, home care, long-term care, animal-assisted therapy, prevention and wellness, and as a lymphedema consultant.
She continued her clinical expertise experience by earning the following clinical certifications: Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), Lymphedema Association of North America certification (LANA), Certified Kinesiotaping Practitioner (CKTP), Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist-Advanced (CEES-Advanced), Certified Senior Strength Trainer (CSST) and Certified Strength Training Specialist (CSST), and Certified Dementia Care Specialist (CDCS).
