Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program
ACOTE Accredited
ABHES Accredited
On Campus | Hybrid*
At a Glance
~20 Months
Course length
70.5-73.5
Total credits**
224
Lab hours**
768-813
Class hours**
720
Externship hours**
**Credit totals and hours vary by location
About the Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program
Pima Medical Institute’s Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program gives you the clinical and professional skills needed to begin your career as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant working under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
Through a curriculum that balances clinical knowledge with real-world application, you will learn the principles of occupational therapy, therapeutic modalities, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology, documentation, administrative procedures, and specialized practice across mental health, physical health, and pediatric populations. Pima Medical’s labs simulate real-world settings, giving you hands-on training that prepares you for the environments you will encounter on the job. Graduates of an accredited OTA program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Where the Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program Can Take You
Certification
Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) credential through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).*
Entry-level roles
Occupational therapy assistant, pediatric occupational therapy assistant, geriatric occupational therapy assistant, school-based occupational therapy assistant, home health occupational therapy assistant, or mental health occupational therapy assistant.
Career advancement
With experience, COTAs can move into senior or lead OTA roles, specialize in areas such as hand therapy or pediatrics or take on training and mentorship responsibilities for new staff. Some also choose to continue their education toward a bachelor's degree.
Core Skills You’ll Develop
OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSIS
KINESIOLOGY
MENTAL HEALTH
DOCUMENTATION
PEDIATRICS
FIELDWORK
Program Objective
Hybrid Learning Options
For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses. Hybrid learning combines in-person instruction with online learning. Students can engage with course materials at times and in environments that suit their individual circumstances, such as balancing employment, family responsibilities or geographic constraints. However, externship hours must be completed entirely in person because hands-on clinical experience is essential for developing the practical skills and confidence needed for real-world patient care.
*Not all programs offer hybrid learning options; Hybrid education options not available at all campuses
Find a Campus Near You
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Learn More About Externships→Continuing Education
Job Outlook
20% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $70,800 per year.*
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm (visited August 27, 2026).
What careers can you pursue with an Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree?
The Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:
- Occupational therapy assistant
- Rehabilitation therapy assistant
- Pediatric occupational therapy assistant
These careers exist in a variety of environments, including but not limited to hospitals, public schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Career Services
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
View Career Services→Student Services
Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic careers. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.
View Student Services→Application Process
- Submit the form below
A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
- Chat with our team
They’ll ask about your goals, your background, and what’s drawing you to healthcare. From there, they’ll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
- Attend your campus tour
Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We’ll walk you through programs and what to expect.
- We help you complete your application
Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Eligibility Requirements
- Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
- Additional requirements may apply by campus
Tuition & financial aid
Federal aid (FAFSA), institutional scholarships and payment plans are available for those who qualify to help make your education affordable.
FAQs About our Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do?
What is the difference between an Occupational Therapist and an Occupational Therapy Assistant?
What will I learn in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?
In the Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program, you will learn both the clinical and administrative skills needed to work confidently in a professional occupational therapy setting. Coursework covers occupational therapy principles, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, therapeutic modalities, mental health practice, physical health practice, pediatric practice, growth and development, documentation and administrative procedures. You will also complete hands-on clinical fieldwork in a real occupational therapy environment before graduation.
How long does the Occupational Therapy Assistant program take to complete?
How Do I Get Certified as an Occupational Therapy Assistant After Graduation?
Is the Occupational Therapy Assistant program available online or in a hybrid format?
For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at select campuses. This format combines in-person instruction with online coursework, allowing you to complete academic coursework at times and in environments that fit your schedule. Fieldwork hours, however, must be completed entirely in person, since hands-on clinical experience is essential to developing the practical skills and confidence needed for real-world patient care.
*Hybrid learning is not offered at every campus; contact your local Pima Medical campus to confirm availability for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
What are the admissions requirements for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?
Is financial aid available for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Semester l
Semester lI
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
*Program is 80 weeks in length. The total number of program hours is 1,712 at all campuses except Las Vegas. The Las Vegas campus program hours total 1,757. The Las Vegas program includes one additional 3 credit class (HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution). Graduates will receive an Associate of Occupational Science with the exception of Houston and El Paso program graduates, which will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates of an accredited OTA 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).
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Accreditations and Disclosures
Accreditation and Program Information
The Occupational Therapy Assistant programs at the Denver, El Paso, Houston, Las Vegas, Mesa, San Marcos and Tucson campuses are 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.
- successfully completed the program of study with a minimum grade average of 77 percent in each course
- completed exit requirements with Financial Services and Career Services personnel
- have successfully completed the program of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater; and
- Level II fieldwork must be completed within 18 months of completing the didactic portion of the curriculum.
Graduates of an accredited 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 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.
View accreditation information for all programs by campus
NBCOT National Certification Examination Program Performance Data
View program costs, additional disclosures and outcomes for this program (if applicable)
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.