Occupational Therapy Assistant

ATU Ozark | Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed to prepare successful graduates for entry-level employment in the field of as Occupational Therapy Assistants. A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, provides rehabilitative services to individuals with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities.

ACCREDITATION

The OTA 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

ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. 

Graduation Year Students Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate
2024 18/17 94%
2023 16/15 94%
2022 20/15 85%
Total 54/47 91%

 

The total number of graduates from the Arkansas Tech University Occupational Therapy Assistant Program during the 3-year period of 2022-2024 was 54 with an overall graduation rate of 91%. Graduation rates are based on academic year.


Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT):

https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

 
 
Russell Dr. Graycen
Russell Program Chair (479) 880-4275 grussell6@atu.edu
Redman Rebekah
Redman Academic Field Work Coordinator & Instructor 479-880-4241 rredman4@atu.edu

Morton Hall
1700 West C Street
Russellville, AR  72801

Academic Prerequisites
(All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better before the start of the OTA program.)
  • ☐ Human Anatomical Structures I (HAS I)
  • ☐ Human Anatomical Structures II (HAS II)
  • ☐ Medical Terminology
  • ☐ Introduction to Computers
  • ☐ Composition I
  • ☐ Composition II
  • ☐ College Mathematics (or higher)
  • ☐ Introduction to Physical Science or Introduction to Biological Science
  • ☐ General Psychology
Additional Requirements
(All additional requirements must be submitted by the March 1st application deadline.)
 
  • ☐ Current First Aid and CPR certification (American Heart Association or Red Cross only)
  • ☐ Completion of at least 8 observation hours under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).
      • The OT or OTA must seal the completed form in an envelope and sign across the seal.
  • ☐ Two-page essay following the supplied rubric
  • Observation hours forms and essay rubric can be found HERE
  • If you have completed any prerequisites at another institution, please request that an official transcript be sent to ATU-Ozark as soon as possible.
  • All applicants will be emailed after the March 1st application deadline with information about TEAS test dates and instructions for registering for the exam.

PROGRAM APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 AND MARCH 1

MARCH 1: OTA PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE

ONLINE APPLICATION

IMPORTANT: Additional Documents Required for Online Application 

PAPER APPLICATION PACKET

 

CONTACT

(479) 508-8500 ext. 6503
alliedhealth@atu.edu

TEAS TEST INFORMATION

CAREER OPTIONS

You could work as a(n):

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant in a pediatric facility
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant in an rehab facility
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant in a senior care facility

Alumni of our program work at:

  • Friendship Pediatrics
  • Incite Therapy
  • Pediatric Plus
  • St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center

 Credentials that stack with this degree:

  • Bachelor of Applied Science

HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Laboratory activities practiced on both real and simulated patients
  • Provide interventions for the pediatric population
  • Provide occupational therapy services for up to 40 hours per week while under the supervision of a fieldwork instructor
  • Community service projects

SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN

  • Evidence-based practice
  • Professionalism
  • Management skills
  • Self-care skills
  • Group therapy
  • Manual therapy techniques
  • Orthotic fabrication
  • Physical agent modalities
  • Assistive technology fabrication
  • Home and community modifications
  • Pediatric, adult and older adult assessments
  • Pediatric, adult and older adult interventions

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, located in Russellville, AR, is designed to prepare successful graduates for entry-level employment in the field of Occupational Therapy Assistants. A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, provides rehabilitative services to individuals with mental, physical, emotional or developmental disabilities.  This program is delivered in person, providing students with hands-on, interactive learning experiences to ensure they develop the skills needed for success in the field. The COTA's purpose is to improve a client's quality of life and enhance their ability to perform meaningful occupations. COTAs provide clients with adaptive skills that enable them to reenter the workforce, instruct clients in compensating for a loss of motor skill function and plan activities that increase the independence of the physically and/or developmentally disabled. 

Students must complete 28 hours of platform general education courses and 43 hours of OTA technical coursework.