Occupational therapy is a vibrant, growing profession that makes it possible for people, young and old, to regain independence and to enjoy life to its fullest. By choosing a career in occupational therapy, you will make a difference and Anoka Technical College can help you get there.
Help people, young and old, regain independence
Hands-on training from industry experts
High-demand career with a 36.1% growth rate
Potential Jobs:
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Life Enrichment Coordinator/Activity Director
- Behavior Specialist
Salary Information:
Median Wage: $27.94 per hour
Top Earners: $31.56 per hour
Information provided is for Minnesota. See current data at careerwise.minnstate.edu
"The best aspects of ATC are the dedicated instructors, the affordability and learning alongside a diverse cohort of students, especially in terms of age."
Program Details
The Anoka Technical College Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is a 71-credit, two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-AOTA. www.acoteonline.org
Course work includes:
- MnTC/general education courses.
- occupational therapy theory and skill building courses.
- on-the-job experiences at various fieldwork sites.
ACOTE Accreditation
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.
- Practice using innovative and evidence-based interventions within the role of the entry-level Occupational Therapy Assistant.
- Demonstrate professional attributes, ethical standards, and values of the profession.
- Deliver competent services/outcomes by using reflection, strengths, client centered and occupation based interventions, and critical and creative thinking.
- Collaborate inter/intra professionally.
- Work with people from diverse backgrounds in a variety of practice settings serving the community.
Young or old, we all have a job to do–the job of living. Learning, growing, playing, working, managing our homes, and caring for our families and ourselves are among the “occupations” of life.
Sometimes physical, emotional, or other challenges prevent people from participating fully in the job of living. Stroke, injury, depression, and developmental disabilities, for example, can make it difficult for people to do everyday tasks or be as active and as independent as they’d like.
Occupational therapy, a vibrant, growing profession, makes it possible for people to regain and/or maintain independence and to enjoy life to its fullest. By choosing a career in occupational therapy, you will make a difference in the lives of others.
Occupational therapy assistants work with the supervision of registered occupational therapists to provide hands-on services to children and adults who are learning new ways to succeed in the occupations of life or maintain their current healthy lifestyle. Students today can look forward to dynamic careers working in varied settings with people of all ages. Many practitioners help children thrive in the “occupations” of childhood – learning, playing, and growing. Some work in schools with students who have learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Others work with children who have physical or cognitive problems in outpatient clinics.
Practitioners also work with individuals in their homes, community centers, work settings, day treatment centers, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and/or continuing care communities. In these settings, practitioners may support people who have difficulty performing the “occupations” of life.
Some common conditions that occupational therapy assistants work with are: cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, sensory processing issues, autism, traumatic brain injury, work-related injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and dementia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, depression, schizophrenia, and many others. Anyone having a condition that impacts their ability to perform daily tasks (occupations) could benefit from occupational therapy.
Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Application Dates
Application period for fall semester 2023 begins Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 at 9 am.
Admission Guidelines
Steps to Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program
You must complete all steps of the admissions process to be admitted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Please read the full explanations below this checklist and review the program Admissions Guidelines.
- Apply to Anoka Technical College and be admitted to the college
- Complete the ACCUPLACER Assessments
- Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI-TEAS)
- Attend mandatory program Information Session
- Apply to the OTA Program using the supplemental program application
Additional Resources
Take a virtual tour and review the list below to get an idea of what it's like to be a student at Anoka Tech.
MnTC General Education Requirements
This program requires completion of the following fifteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1107 Composition I (Goal 1&2) or ENGL 2105 Businessand Technical Writing (Goal 1&2) | 4 | |
| PSYC 1406 | General Psychology (Goal 5) | 4 |
| PSYC 1506 | Lifespan Development (Goal 5) | 4 |
| SPCH 1500 | Intercultural Communication (Goal 1&7) | 3 |
Program Sequence
| Fall Semester | 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| COTA 1001 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy | 4 |
| COTA 1050 | Clinical Conditions | 4 |
| COTA 1105 | Therapeutic Applications I | 3 |
| HLTH 1005 | Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| Spring Semester | 15 | |
| COTA 1155 | Therapeutic Applications II | 2 |
| COTA 1260 | Performance Skills and Applications | 3 |
| COTA 1270 | Productive Aging/Geriatric Practice | 4 |
| COTA 1280 | Mental Health and Wellness Practice | 4 |
| COTA 1290 | Level I Fieldwork Behavioral | 1 |
| PSYC 1406 | General Psychology | 4 |
| Summer Semester | 11 | |
| ENGL 1107 OR ENGL 2105 | Composition I/Business and Technical Writing | 4 |
| PSYC 1506 | Lifespan Development | 4 |
| SPCH 1500 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| Fall Semester | 15 | |
| COTA 2310 | Professional Seminar | 2 |
| COTA 2330 | Physical Rehabilitation Practice | 4 |
| COTA 2340 | Children and Youth Practice | 4 |
| COTA 2350 | Community Practice | 4 |
| COTA 2391 | Level I Fieldwork Traditional | 1 |
| Spring Semester | 12 | |
| COTA 2411 | Level II Fieldwork Rotation A | 6 |
| COTA 2421 | Level II Fieldwork Rotation B | 6 |
Current Students
Certification Exam
Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion, graduates will be Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA).
Most states, including Minnesota, also require licensure in order to practice occupational therapy. However, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to take the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.
Pass Rates on the National Certification Exam
NBCOT pass rates on the Certification Exam are indicated above and can also be accessed at nbcot.org.
All COTA courses and HLTH1005 must be completed with a grade of C or higher. All ENGL, PSYC, and SPCH courses must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Graduation Rates
| Graduation Month/Year |
Students Entering the Program |
Students Graduating | Retention Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2020 |
30 - August 2019 |
21 |
70% |
| May 2021 | 30 - August 2019 | 21 | 70% |
| May 2022 |
29 - August 2021 |
22 |
76% |
| Three year total (2020, 2021, 2022) |
87 | 63 | 72.3% |
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Costs*
| Admission Assessments (if required) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Accuplacer: 1st test free |
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition: General Education 15 credits (online or seated) Online cost: (COMM 1500 is only offered online) Seated course: |
|
||
| Tuition: OTA Program 56 credits 54 credits are seated 2 credits online Total OTA tuition cost |
|
||
| OTA Course Fees (costs subject to change) | $490.60 | ||
| Text Books and Subscriptions (approximately) | $2,000 | ||
| Professional Memberships | $175 | ||
| TherapyEd study course fee (optional) | $140 | ||
| Certification Exam (after graduation- online application) | $515 | ||
| MN License (after graduation) | $105 | ||
| Miscellaneous Costs: Fieldwork housing, transportation, food; or other supplies for class |
varies | ||
| Total: (costs may vary and are subject to change) | $18515.42 | ||
*Total cost for the OTA Program will vary depending on a variety of factors. All costs are subject to change due to purchasing agreements and curriculum updates. Tuition costs include parking, technology and student association fees.
Get Help to Pay for College
Over 90% of full-time undergraduate college students at Anoka Tech receive some type of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans or work-study.
Beginning with the second semester of the program, each student will participate in a Level I Fieldwork placement. The second rotation of Level I Fieldwork will take place during the third semester. Two Level II Fieldwork Placements will take place in the fourth semester. These experiences will be assigned from a wide variety of facilities including outstate and local hospitals, extended care facilities , school districts, day treatment centers, residential facilities and other community agencies.
Enrollment in the fieldwork classes may be limited due to the availability of fieldwork sites. Possible opportunities for out of state fieldwork experiences may be arranged. Students may be expected to travel up to 275 miles due to availability of fieldwork sites.
Before starting the Level II Fieldwork , all required course work of the OTA program must be completed with a minimum grade of a "C," and the student must have a 2.0 grade point average. Level II fieldwork must be completed within 12 months of completing the required academic coursework.
Prior to these experiences, the student will:
- Complete a Health Information sheet
- Sign a Hepatitis B form
- Receive a Mantoux test (a positive result requires a chest x-ray)
- Complete a background study
- Other items as assigned
Prior to starting the Level I Fieldwork, the student will:
- Secure a current CPR for the healthcare worker card.
An individual who is disqualified from having direct patient contact as a result of the background study, and whose disqualification is not set aside by the Commissioner of Health, will not be permitted to participate in the fieldwork experiences.
Transportation to fieldwork facilities will be the responsibility of each student. Some of the facilities may be reached by public transportation.
Students are expected to be professional regarding their attitude, behavior, and appearance. The student will be required to get a student I.D. card and carry professional liability insurance. Student professional liability insurance are purchased by the college and paid through student course fees. Students have the option to purchase liability insurance on their own.
Minnesota state law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility have a background study conducted by the state.
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.
Start Dates:
Fall semester: August
Upcoming Events:
OTA Program
futureOTAstudent@anokatech.edu
Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710
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