OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (OTA)
Associate of Applied Science Degree
OTA at Kent State
Occupational therapy helps individuals of all ages develop skills for independent living. Kent State University's OTA program, available in Flex Part-Time, Hybrid, or Traditional In-Person formats, offers a consistent, high-quality curriculum across all options at two convenient campus locations in Ashtabula and East Liverpool. The program can be completed in as few as five semesters, preparing graduates to assist clients in diverse settings.
Program Highlights
- Unique on-campus labs — learn in our OT house or fully-functioning apartment.
- Complete in as few as five semesters after program acceptance.
- Work in health rehabilitation with clients of all ages in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and other settings.
- Use activities to help people live meaningful, productive lives and maximize independence.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 21% growth in occupational therapy assistant jobs by 2033, adding about 10,800 positions. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Two Campuses, Three Convenient Formats
The Kent State Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers flexible formats, including on-campus and hybrid, full and part-time options at the Ashtabula and East Liverpool campus locations for convenience and accessibility.
Hybrid ~ Flex Part-Time ~ Traditional In-Person
Want to learn more? Register to attend one of our upcoming virtual information sessions.
Find out more about our Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and discover why you belong here!
- Application Information Packet
- Course Sequence
- Essential Functions
- Professional Background Checks
- Register for an Information Session
- Selection Process
- Transfer Credit
Steps to apply to the OTA Program
- Apply to Kent State University
- Demonstrate College Readiness through completion of KSU Admission testing, ACT/ SAT scores, or completion of ALL prescribed developmental course work with a “C” or better by the beginning of the OTA program. Applicants may be “provisionally accepted” to the OTA program if enrolled in developmental courses and on track to pass with “C” or better in the semester prior to entrance/acceptance to the program.
- Declare the OTA major (contact your advisor)
- Attendance at an Information Session or meeting with an advisor for the OTA Program is not required but highly recommended.
- Submit the online OTA Program Technical Study Application. THIS IS A SEPARATE APPLICATION FROM THE APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY. Applications open approximately two months prior to the deadline (see page 1).
Additional Requirements for Acceptance
- Applicants must successfully complete BSCI 11010—Anatomy and Physiology I for Allied Health or equivalent course by the end of the spring semester for Ashtabula cohort and end of summer semester for East Liverpool cohort to be eligible to start the following semester. Applicants may be “provisionally accepted” to the OTA program if enrolled in A&P I and on track to pass with “C” or better in the semester prior to entrance/acceptance to the program.
- Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA from the most recent academic experience of six credit hours or more
Application Information
Application Information Packet
Ashtabula applications now closed; deadline March 1.
East Liverpool applications now closed; deadline April 30
Questions? Contact Us!
* Important Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification examination or obtain state licensure.
Discover important information and policies for the OTA program
- Kathy Swoboda, MLS, OTR/L, Academic Program Director | kswobod1@kent.edu | 330-382-7456
- Nina Sullivan, BS, COTA/L, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator | nssulliv@kent.edu | 330-382-7457
- Lori Armstrong, BA, COTA/L NTT Faculty | lahare@kent.edu | 440-964-4335
- Linda Ankerman, BS, OTR/L, Adjunct Faculty | lankerma@kent.edu
- Nicole Best, MS, COTA/L Adjunct Faculty | nbest@kent.edu
- Heather Rosser, BS, COTA/L, Adjunct Faculty | hrosser1@kent.edu
- Janine Rickets, OTD, MOT/L Adjunct Faculty | jricket4@kent.edu
- Theresa Hootman, Allied Health Administrative Clerk | thootma1@kent.edu | 440-964-4252
- Mary Schonhut, Secretary | mschonhu@kent.edu
For Fieldwork Educators:
- Fieldwork Educators Manual
- Fieldwork Management
- Models of Supervision
- Resource List
- Self-Assessment Tool for Fieldwork Educator Competency (SAFECOM)
For Students:
- AOTA Student Resources
- Fieldwork Management
- Kent State University Fieldwork Experience Schedule (PDF)
- Resources for Fieldwork Education
- The Fieldwork Experience
Professional organizations and resources:
- The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA)
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
- Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (OOTA)
- The Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board (OTPTAT)
- The Ohio Occupational Therapy Practice Act (Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code)
- Pennsylvania State Board of Occupational Therapy
- State of West Virginia Board of Occupational Therapy
Upon successful completion of coursework & fieldwork experiences, students will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree.
To be eligible for graduation the student must:
- Have a grade point average of 2.0 or above
- Complete all general, related and occupational therapy assistant courses with a "C" or above
- Successfully complete two level II fieldwork experiences within 18 months of classroom coursework.
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, most 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.
Prior to 2024, the KSU Ashtabula and East Liverpool programs were separately accredited. Therefore, outcome data below is reported separately. Beginning in 2024, outcome data will be combined.
| Year | Number of Program Graduates (calendar year) | Graduation Rates (reported as number of students who graduated from the program within 3 years, divided by number of students who started the program 3 years prior) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 16 | 65% |
| 2023 | 18 | 82% |
| 2024 | 9 | 75% |
| Total 3- year | 43 | 74% |
| Year | Number of Program Graduates (calendar year) | Graduation Rates (reported as number of students who graduated from the program within 3 years, divided by number of students who started the program 3 years prior) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 50% |
| 2022 | 9 | 64% |
| 2023 | 7 | 70% |
| Total 3- year | 22 | 61% |
| Year | Number of Program Graduates (calendar year) | Graduation Rates (reported as number of students who graduated from the program within 3 years, divided by number of students who started the program 3 years prior) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | 67% |
| 2022 | 7 | 50% |
| 2023 | 11 | 79% |
| Total 3- year | 25 | 63% |
Career Information
The job outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants is excellent. Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in both traditional and nontraditional settings including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, home health agencies, and mental health facilities. The median national salary (2022) is $64,250. for the State of Ohio $61,510. For more detailed job outlook and salary information: 31-2011.00 - Occupational Therapy Assistants (onetonline.org)
Important Tuition and Fees Information
Kent State University Regional Campus Tuition and Fees
OTA Program Cost of Attendance
OTA students also incur the following costs and fees, which are subject to change:
OTHER EXPENSES:
- Clinical Experience expenses (travel, uniform, facility name tag, meals)
- AOTA National Conference (Optional) - $300 plus meals.
- Gas expenses for various field trips. Carpooling with other students is an option.
GRADUATION EXPENSES:
- Cap & gown - $60
- Application for certification exam - $555
- Application for licensure - $100
Accreditation
The associate-degree-level 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. 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.
View Graduates Pass Rate on NBCOT Exam
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.