Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
Employment info
The occupational therapy assistant program is an associate of science degree major designed to prepare students to obtain employment as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA); or a related field.
Occupational Therapy Assistants work in a wide variety of settings, however, they are primarily employed in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, community programs and public schools. Our graduates enjoy a high percentage of employability within months after graduation. Over 85% of our graduates are currently employed as COTAs.
The salary for entry level OTAs in this area (Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska) is usually $25-33 per hour.
What are the costs associated with this program?
Below are the estimated semester-by-semester costs for students in the Casper College occupational therapy assistant program. Note: This assumes the in-state tuition rate; not out-of-state or WUE. Fees are subject to change. Housing, meals, and fieldwork costs are not included.
| Semester | Tuition | Student fee | Books and supplies | Sub-Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Year 1 | $2,446 | $758 | $2,905 | $6,109 |
| Spring Year 1 | $2,162 | $485 | $524 | $3,171 |
| Summer Year 1 | $959 | $75 | $480 | $1,514 |
| Fall Year 2 | $2,025 | $103 | $567 | $2,695 |
| Spring Year 2 | $2,436 | $60 | $647 | $3,143 |
| Summer Year 2 | $822 | $0 | $0 | $822 (Students are off campus during this time, completing their level II fieldwork rotations.) |
| Total | $17,454 | |||
Are there any financial aid opportunities or scholarships available?
Yes. Many Casper College students receive financial assistance each year through grants, loans, work study opportunities and scholarships or a combination of these. Find out more about financial aid opportunities, scholarships and grants on our Cost and Financial Aid page.
What are the special admission requirements, if any?
Students are provisionally accepted during their first fall semester. Then, at the beginning of the second semester, interviews are conducted and the available slots are filled. If the number of applicants exceeds the 24 available spaces students may be placed on a waiting list. The program requires completion of 76 semester hours. The last semester is spent working under the supervision of a practicing therapist for two 8-week sessions.
Resources
- OTA Admissions Guide (DOCX)
- OTA Student Handbook (DOCX)
- OTA Spring Newsletter (PDF)
- NBCOT DataSchool Performance
- ACOTE
- Job postings at therapyjobs360.com
Fieldwork Educator Resources
What courses would I take?
For requirements and more information about this program, view its listing in the academic catalog:
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program began offering class in 1996 and graduated its first class in 1997, with initial ACOTE accreditation obtained in 1997. August 2022, Casper College continued its full ACOTE accreditation status with the next onsite evaluation scheduled for 2031/2032.
Feedback from fieldwork sites and employers indicated the graduates are well prepared for the positions they have been hired to work. The Casper College Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. The AOTA’s phone number and website are 301-652-AOTA (2682), www.acoteonline.org.
NOTE: To ensure that occupational therapy practitioners meet ethical and professional standards prior to entering the profession, all applicants for initial certification are required to provide information and documentation related to any illegal, unethical or incompetent behavior. Persons with a felony history may not be eligible to sit for the certification examination. When you apply to write the certification examination with the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy, you will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felonies. For further information on these limitations, you can contact NBCOT at:
- National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878 - NBCOT Pass Rate
Graduation Rate
- Graduation Rate’s 2023-2021 (last three years)
- Entered/Graduated: 34/19
- Graduation Rate: 55%
Graduation Year = 2023
- Students entering/graduating = 12/7
- Graduation rate = 58%
- Number of students taking NBCOT exam in year of graduation = 10
- NBCOT pass rates = 100%
Graduation Year = 2022
- Students entering/graduating = 11/6
- Graduation rate = 55%
- Number of students taking NBCOT exam in year of graduation = 10
- NBCOT pass rates = 100%
Graduation Year = 2021
- Students entering/graduating = 11/6
- Graduation rate = 55%
- Number of students taking NBCOT exam in year of graduation = 7
- NBCOT pass rates = 100%
Program outcomes
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program will graduate students who are able to:
- Demonstrate adaptation and mastery over academic challenges as demonstrated by successfully completing their education at the associate level to earn their Associate of Science degree, in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
- Demonstrate mastery of academic and experiential learning and apply this knowledge to successfully pass the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy exam.
- Demonstrate professionalism and life-long learning by obtaining and maintaining licensure in the state of Wyoming and/or their chosen state of practice.
- Demonstrate integrity and professionalism while following American Occupational Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics, which is essential to work as a generalist occupational therapy assistant.
- Appreciate and implement evidence-based practice through client centered, occupation-based activities when serving the needs of a person, population and community.
- Are self-directed, adaptive, and holistic generalist practitioners.
- Are lifelong learners and demonstrate stewardship to the occupational therapy profession, populations served, and their communities.
You may also be interested in…
These other programs:
- Other Certificates offered include:
- This is separate of the degree path
- Foundations of Interprofessional Health Care
