Occupational Therapy Assistant

Application deadline: February 15 – Fall 2027 materials are not yet available.

Turn your passion for helping and assisting others into a career by entering the Virginia Western Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science Program. Occupational therapy takes a holistic approach to patient care by focusing on everyday activities that patients want and need to accomplish. This comprehensive program trains you to help people of all ages live life to the fullest by promoting health and supporting those living with injury, illness or disability.  Occupational therapy assistants work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, outpatient clinics and in-home healthcare.

A career that grows with you  

Occupational therapy assistants have a physically demanding job that requires the ability to lift and transfer patients and equipment. This program is a good fit if you want to work directly with patients to provide treatment and advocate for their well-being. You will find success in this program if you are flexible and able to adapt to changing environments while having patience, compassion and empathy for your patients. Upon completion of this program, you can sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Online tests taken during this program are designed with a similar question and timing format to the NBCOT exam, providing a realistic preview of what you can expect. You can begin working immediately upon earning an additional state license. Licensed occupational therapy assistants can pursue more specialized training options to build on their existing skill set throughout their career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 23 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.  

Transferring

If you’re considering an AAS program and interested in transferring to a four-year college or university, contact a program advisor upon entry to the program to discuss your plans.

Accreditation

The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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 to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.