Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools Online: Finding Your OTA Program

What the Experts Say: How to Find the Right OTA Program for You

The OTA programs in this guide meet our standards for clinical training quality and graduation outcomes. But the right OTA program for you depends on factors beyond outcomes data: your preferred patient population, whether you want a hospital or community setting after graduation, and what the program’s clinical placement network actually looks like. Our experts share what to consider.

Shadow an OTA First

I’d encourage anyone considering the field to shadow an OTA before you enroll. Not to change your mind, but to give you realistic expectations of the physical demands of the day-to-day job. Understanding the realities of your future role will set you up for success in school.

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Join AOTA as a Student

Look into joining AOTA as a student member early in your program. It gives you access to continuing education courses, NBCOT exam prep discounts, and specialty interest sections to help you figure out which setting you might want to pursue. And with so many bridge programs available for COTAs, all the way to OTD, advancing your degree is doable, even while working.

Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC

Understanding the “Online” in Online OTA Programs

For many OTA students, program format is a major consideration. Online occupational therapy assistant programs can make earning your degree more manageable by offering flexible coursework that fits around your schedule.

However, because OTA training includes hands-on skill development, most programs still require occasional on-campus visits for labs, instruction, or other in-person learning activities.

The following outlines how mostly online programs and programs with an online component work.

Mostly Online Programs

In mostly online programs, students can perform several tasks through the school’s online course management system, including:

• Attend classes and watch lectures
• Receive and submit assignments
• Participate in group work
• Obtain learning resources

In addition, these programs make it easy for students to communicate with their professors and peers via the Internet. However, hands-on training is also required in these programs, so students are expected to go to campus for lab work or clinical activities.

Programs with an Online Component

In these partially online occupational therapy assistant programs, students complete the majority of their work on campus, so they do not have as much flexibility as they would in mostly online programs.

There are, however, some opportunities for flexibility, as these programs may offer a certain number of classes that can be completed online.

What to Look for in an Online OTA Program

Every student searches for an online OTA program with a different idea of what path they want to follow. However, there are some characteristics that all students should be concerned about as they look for schools. The following are some of the most important things students should look for in an online occupational therapy assistant program.

Accreditation

In order for students to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, which is required to get a state license, they must enroll in an online OTA program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

This is important because to receive this accreditation, schools must demonstrate that they provide quality training and instill the skills students should know to work in the field—which ultimately helps the profession as a whole.

Class Schedule

All students have different lifestyles, so scheduling is a big consideration that people can’t ignore when choosing a degree program. Whether they are raising a family, working a full-time job, or have other obligations, people must find a school that best meets their needs.

For example, some schools offer online OTA programs that are conducted in an asynchronous manner, which gives students the maximum amount of flexibility because it allows them to complete work at their own pace.

Program Length

In most cases, students can complete an occupational therapy assistant associate degree within two years. However, those who may want to move up in their careers should keep in mind that they will have to invest more time in their education.

Tuition Cost

All students are concerned about how much they will pay for their education. The cost of attending an occupational therapy assistant school depends on the specific program and students may be charged by the credit or the semester.

Students may be able to receive some scholarships directly from their school in order to help lower the cost of their education.

Instructional Format

Choosing the right instructional format helps you get the most out of your program:

• Students who enjoy more flexibility in their studies, an asynchronous program may be the right choice.
• Students who like to work in a more structured environment may perform better in a synchronous program.

In addition, some schools offer a combination of both options, where some courses are offered synchronously and others asynchronously — allowing students to benefit from both instructional approaches.

Online OTA Programs by Level

Generally, prospective occupational therapy assistants can begin their career after two years of training in an associate degree program. However, those who want to advance in their careers can get additional training to land higher-level positions. Here are the most common types of online occupational therapy assistant programs that schools offer.

Associate Degree

Occupational therapy assistant associate’s degree programs are designed to give students a look at what it’s like to provide care in a variety of settings, from hospitals to nursing homes to behavioral health clinics.

In these programs, students learn various skills, including:

• Assisting children with play activities that improve their coordination
• Teaching patients how to use equipment and medical devices
• Documenting patient progress accurately

In addition, students are taught the medical laws and ethics people in the field are expected to adhere to, which allows them to get a full understanding of what is expected of them on the job and why.

OTA to OT Bridge Programs

Occupational therapy assistants who want to advance in their careers may decide to become occupational therapists, and OTA to OT bridge programs give them the additional training they need to make this move.

Students in these programs learn advanced concepts related to topics including:

• Neuroscience
• Physical and mental disabilities
• Therapeutic modalities
• Medical interventions

In addition, students may take coursework about occupational therapy research in order to help them gain expertise in the underlying principles that guide their work protocols.

Career Growth & Salary Potential for OTAs

Critical Knowledge & Skills

Those who are interested in pursuing OTA degrees may be reluctant to enroll in an online OTA program because they may be concerned they won’t get all of the training they need to obtain their license and land a job after graduation. However, some critical knowledge and skills can actually be learned online, while other areas require that students participate in campus work.

The following are examples of the skills that students can actually obtain by doing online work.

Record-keeping: Keeping patient records complete and accurate is imperative for providing the best care, as well as ensuring that health care facilities get payments from insurance companies. As a result, students may take classes that teach recordkeeping so they learn how to update patient records in a legal and ethical manner.

Assessment: In order to determine what kind of treatment patients need, OTAs have to first figure out exactly what the problem is. The theories of assessment skills can be taught online, so students understand what they should be looking for when working with patients and how they should respond to what they find.

Communication: Strong communication skills are needed in order to successfully work with colleagues, patients, and family members. The principles of how to communicate effectively can be taught in textbooks and during online class sessions.

While students can get many important skills through their online coursework, some skills occupational therapy assistants need can only come through hands-on training. The following are examples of some of those skills.

Instruction: Occupational therapy assistants often are tasked with explaining medical information to their patients and teaching them how to care for themselves between appointments. Although students can learn the basic principles of how this is done effectively online, it is no substitution for learning how to do this with actual patients and watching the techniques professionals use at work.

Technology: Professionals are expected to know how to navigate their way around medical software, as well as equipment that is used to treat patients. In order to gain proficiency in these areas, OTAs need hands-on training.

Empathy: Throughout their careers, medical professionals encounter people who are handling serious challenges and extreme pain. When encountering patients during their clinical work, students get the opportunity to hone their ability to show compassion, which goes a long way toward building trust and helping patients have positive outcomes.

How Much Does Online OTA School Cost?

Depending on the school, students may be able to save money by enrolling in an online occupational therapy assistant program. However, even with these savings, they still will be concerned about how to pay for their education, and whether or not there is financial aid available to them.

This section provides a breakdown of how much students can expect to pay for their degrees, as well as what types of financial aid they can receive.

OTA Cost and Fee Breakdown

The cost for education can add up when fees are added to tuition charges. The following is a breakdown of the expenses students should keep their eye on.

• Tuition: Pricing structures for tuition can vary from one school to the next and students may be charged for the entire program or by the semester or credit hour. Regardless of which pricing structure schools have, generally the total tuition for an occupational therapy assistant degree can range from $5,000 to $24,000.
• Application fees: Prospective students may not think about application fees when they are calculating how much their education will cost, but it’s important to keep track of them—especially if they are applying to multiple schools. These fees can run between $35 and $50 per application.
• Textbooks: Textbooks are an expense that students need to budget for every semester, so it should always be something they keep in mind throughout their degree program. This expense can cost $200 to $1,200 per semester.
• Exam fees: When students complete their studies, they are required to pass the licensing examination before they can obtain employment in the field. The fee to take this test is $500.

How to Pay for Your OTA Program

There are several resources that students can use to help them pay for their education, and this funding can come from a variety of sources. The following is an overview of some of the ways people can pay for their OTA degree program.

• Financial aid: Sources of financial aid can be provided directly from a school, as well as through the federal government and professional associations. The types of funding that students may receive can be based on need or merit, and can include grants, loans, and scholarships. In order to find out what’s available to them, students should consult their financial aid office.
• Scholarships: In some cases, students may be able to receive scholarships directly from their school. In addition, some professional organizations in the health care industry, like the American Occupational Therapy Association, offer scholarships in order to encourage people to enter the field. Other sources of scholarships may include private companies and government agencies. Start your search by reviewing EduMed’s list of scholarships for OTA students.
• Student loans: Students can receive low-interest loans through the U.S. Department of Education. These loans may be subsidized, meaning they are granted based on financial need, or unsubsidized, which means students can receive the loan without proving need.

Learn more about financial aid options, how to apply for the FAFSA, and more ways to make college more affordable by reading EduMed’s guide to financial aid.

From OTA to COTA: Certification & Licensing

All states require that occupational therapy assistants receive a license in order to legally work in their state. However, state requirements can vary, so it’s important for students to find out what is expected of them. In some cases, graduates can receive a temporary license, which allows them to work on a limited basis, until they have received the results of the licensing test.

Best Online Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs