Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree
Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree
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Grand Canyon University offers those seeking employment in the occupational therapy field the opportunity to earn their degree through our OTA program. This degree presents graduates with the chance to qualify for entry into the occupational therapy field by completing a curriculum designed to meet the requirements for eligibility to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy’s (NBCOT) Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.
If you’re looking to positively impact people’s lives by becoming an OTA, read through some commonly asked questions to gain more insight into this career path and earning your degree.
The BS in OTA program is based on a cohort model and is designed as an accelerated path to a bachelor's degree in OTA. This design model is based on the GCU initiative to offer programs that allow students to graduate and get into the workforce as quickly as possible. After the secondary admission into the program, all program major courses will need to be taken on a full-time, year-round basis. To learn more about how long it may take you to complete this program and determine your eligibility, fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor.
Both OTAs and PTAs work to help patients get rehabilitated through therapy. However, there are key differences between the two. OTAs help their patients gain more independence in daily activities through holistic and functional treatments that focus on fine motor skills, cognitive abilities and adaptation strategies for everyday tasks. Meanwhile, PTAs focus on their patient's gross motor skills, strength, balance and mobility usually after an injury or illness.
Because an OTA bachelor’s degree requires more credits and courses, this degree goes more in-depth in its curriculum, covering a wider variety of science topics and OTA-specific courses than an associate degree. Because of this, you will have the opportunity to gain more knowledge of the field and can gain a stronger foundation before either pursuing an OTA position or progressing to enroll in a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program.
In order to qualify for an OT master’s program, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree. While your bachelor’s does not necessarily need to be in OTA, it can provide you with a valuable foundation of knowledge in occupational therapy and various sciences. This can be helpful when enrolling in and beginning your MSOT program.
An OTA is a medical professional who supports occupational therapists in their day-to-day duties, such as working with patients to improve their limitations. They assist in carrying out treatment plans and evaluations, help track client progress and provide education for both clients and their families to promote overall health and independence.
GCU is an institutionally accredited university, earning continuous accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. We are proud to offer programs that meet the high standards established by our accreditor, allowing us to provide a quality education to all students.
The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program at GCU is an Applicant for Candidacy by the American Council on Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland, 20852-4929, ACOTE's telephone number is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must 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). An occupational therapy assistant is certified for three years. After three years, an occupational therapy assistant may apply for recertification by NBCOT. In addition, all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage. For more information on the certification exam, please contact NBCOT. Telephone: 301-990-7979, email: info@nbcot.org. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Throughout your program, you will have the opportunity to gain competence and a well-rounded knowledge base in occupational therapy assisting. GCU instills aspects of a Christian worldview in all our programs, helping you understand the importance of delivering ethical, respectable and holistic care to your patients. This also includes looking at client needs, restoration, and the physical, mental and spiritual betterment of the whole person. Graduates will advocate for the advancement of human flourishing.
You will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills and apply occupational therapy concepts and best practices through on-campus experiences, baccalaureate projects and your fieldwork requirements.
These skills include:
The goal of this bachelor’s program is to qualify you to work in the occupational therapy field as an occupational therapy assistant. Through studying the scientifically based academic and clinical curricula, you will be taught critical thinking and the application of best practices, allowing you to help others implement useful methods and techniques that can help them lead independent lives. As a graduate of this program, you will be eligible to take the NBCOT exam to become a certified OTA. This program can also be a path to the OT graduate program, as a master's degree is required to become an OT.
As an occupational therapy assistant student, you will be taught to work with individuals who have emotional, developmental and physical disabilities through implementing research-based practices.
As a graduate of this program, you will have been taught:
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
As you work through the curriculum, you will have the opportunity to gain important skills necessary to the occupational therapy assistant profession.
The OTA program courses are designed to cover different subject areas, including:
Anatomy and physiology
Lifespan development
Kinesiology
Medical terminology
Clinical reasoning
Evidence-based practices
Abnormal psychology
Mental health, geriatric and pediatric practice
Leadership and management
Physical and neurological rehab
Fill out the form on this page to learn more about earning your Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at GCU.
Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
As an OTA student, you will have the opportunity to complete your courses on campus or online.1 Students have access to numerous benefits that GCU offers, including learning tools, tutoring and support services to assist you as you complete your program. Online students will also be expected to attend on-campus experiences.
