The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at Utah Valley University is a bachelor's level program designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in the healthcare industry. The program exposes students to foundational knowledge and entry-level skills to work in current and non-traditional practice settings. This includes preparing students to work with various diagnoses within individuals, groups, and populations. Additionally, the program prepares students to graduate as leaders in scholarship and evidence-based practice by integrating the baccalaureate project into curriculum design.
Occupational Therapy Assistants play a vital role in the occupational therapy profession by working collaboratively with occupational therapists to support clients in achieving their functional goals. OTAs implement therapy plans, lead therapeutic activities, and provide hands-on care to help individuals improve their independence and quality of life. Through skilled intervention and compassionate care, OTAs make a meaningful impact across various settings, from rehabilitation centers to schools, empowering individuals of all ages to participate fully in everyday activities.
Occupational Therapy Assistants have diverse career opportunities across various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, nursing homes, and community health organizations. They may also work in specialized environments such as mental health facilities, home health agencies, and pediatric centers, supporting clients of all ages and backgrounds to improve their daily function and quality of life.
As a bachelor’s level program, students complete pre-requisite courses and general education requirements during the first four semesters of the program. The last four semesters of the program include all occupational therapy-specific courses, including fieldwork I and II rotations and the baccalaureate project.
This program prepares students to become a certified, licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), as well as providing them with the necessary prerequisites for graduate work in occupational therapy. The job of an OTA is to assist an Occupational Therapist (OT, graduate-level credential) in treating patients who have difficulty performing everyday activities due to disability, illness, or injury. OTAs help clients acquire or regain the normal activities of daily living such as eating, getting dressed, and preparing meals.
| Graduation Year | Entering/Graduation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2028 | TBD | TBD |
| 2029 | TBD | TBD |
| 2030 | TBD | TBD |
| 2031 | TBD | TBD |
Once the OTA-B program receives accreditation status from ACOTE, graduates of UVU’s OTA-B program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon successfully completing the exam, the graduate will be an Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states require licensure to practice. However, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
1. Complete all general education coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (no grades below a C).
2. Complete the following discipline core requirement courses: ZOOL 2320, ZOOL 2325, ZOOL 2420, ZOOL 2425, OT 1010, and HLTH 1300 with a C or higher, limited to two attempts per course, must be completed within 5 years of the start of the program.
3. Apply to the program. The OTA program will be starting January, 2026. Applications may be submitted during the following dates:
a. Spring semester start: accepting applications May 15-September 15, 2025
b. Fall semester start: accepting applications January 15-May 15, 2026
4. Acceptance letters to the program will be sent to students by the following dates:
a. Spring semester start: October 15
b. Fall semester start: June 15
Upon acceptance into the program, students are required to obtain and maintain the following:
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The OTA Program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a pre-accreditation 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).
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Phone: 301.652.6611
Email: [email protected]
Website:
www.acoteonline.org
