OTA FAQs

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Costs

Current Cost OTA Program
1st Semester
Fall
16 Credit
Hours		 OTA Program
2nd Semester
16 Credit
Hours		 OTA Program
3rd Semester
Fall
7 Credit
Hours		 OTA Program
4th Semester
Fall
13 Credit
Hours		 OTA Program
5th Semester
Spring
12 Credit
Hours		 Total Cost
of
Program
(2023-2024
Tuition
(In-State)		 $2562.00 $2562.00 $1281.00 $2379.00 $2076.00 $10860.00
Student
Fee		 $786.00 $786.00 $376.00 $642.00 $619.00 $3209.00
Books and
Supplies		 $731.38 $506.70 $210.25 $780.94 $104.50 $2333.70
Lab and
Course Fees		 $300.00 $375.00 $163.00 $154.00 $175.00 $1167.00
Loan
Fees		 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Distance
Ed Fees		 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total $4379.38 $4229.70 $2030.25 $3955.94 $2974.50 $17,569.77

 

Based on in-state Spring 2023 tuition and fees. The College reserves the right to make adjustments in tuition and fees, specifically, instructional fees, general fees, laboratory fees and other mandatory and optional fees, when deemed necessary and without advanced notice. Please note this cost analysis includes all courses required for degree completion. Book costs are based on Follett bookstore on Owens campus for all required courses. Note: most texts required for OTA courses are used in multiple courses.

Program costs do not include required health immunizations/titres, background checks, or CPR certification for clinic or background checks.

Loan Fees: Please contact Student Financial Services for questions about financial aid.

Distance Ed Fees: Only applicable if student chooses an online delivery. Costs presented are based on face to face courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

The OTA program is offered as a full-time traditional day program.

This is handled on a case by case basis. A student should contact the licensing board in the state in which he/she wishes to practice. In Ohio, contact the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board: email the OTPTAT Board or call (614) 466-3774.

Occupational therapists need patience, understanding and compassion when dealing with clients facing health problems. Patience is important because many clients may not show rapid progress and practitioners must be prepared for that challenge.

Being understanding and having compassion is also vital when working with clients who have disabilities that require them to undergo extensive and sometimes painful treatment in order to improve their function. And finally, occupational therapy is a field that calls for a certain amount of passion for the beneficial and life-changing work that therapists perform.

Depending on the state, total costs could be in the $600.00 – $650.00 range, which includes payment for the national certification exam, and application for state licensure. There is a 45-day waiting period after the last examination date before the candidate may test again. The candidate MUST submit a new application in order to re-test.

Yes, the occupational therapy profession is actively seeking to increase the number of practitioners representing culturally diverse backgrounds. Target populations include African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders. Other underrepresented groups include people with disabilities and men.

Students should submit transcripts from all schools attended as part of their admissions application. It is important to get transfer credit prior to the admissions deadline so that admissions points are granted for completion of equivalent general education courses required by the OTA Program. Course equivalencies can be found on Transferology (formerly U.select). View the Transferology Student Guide (PDF) for helpful information.

The states where a student intends to practice or apply for employment may require licensure, certification, or other mandates. The student should contact the relevant agency to obtain the necessary information for application. Each state differs in procedure; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination (or pending results).

A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.

Get more information about the Ohio OT licensure.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Association website states that the median income for an occupational therapy assistant in Ohio was $64,080 in 2022. The average hourly wage of occupational therapy assistants in Ohio was $30.81 in 2022.

Occupational therapy is a health profession that uses purposeful occupations with individuals whose lives have been disrupted by physical injury or illness, developmental or learning deficits, poverty and cultural differences, the aging process and/or mental challenges.

Per the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board: 4755-7-01 Occupational therapy practice defined.

  • Student occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants must be at least eighteen to participate in learning opportunities outside the classroom, effective January 1, 2021.

For the Owens OTA program, students must be 18 by the start of the 2nd semester in the program.

Occupational therapists work with clients to provide specialized assistance in learning functional skills that will maximize independent, productive and satisfying lives. Occupational therapists are members of the health care team who work with physicians, physical therapists, nurses, social workers, prosthetists and orthotists, vocational counselors, psychologists, speech pathologists and audiologists and other professionals.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist (OT). Under the guidance of an OT, OTA’s play an important role in carrying out treatment programs. They may choose or construct equipment that helps clients to function more independently, plan and carry our treatment occupations for individuals or groups of clients, and work closely with families as clients prepare to return home.