What is an occupational therapy assistant?
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Mizzou prepares students to become licensed occupational therapy assistants. OTAs are a key part of a client’s occupational therapy team and the health care team delivering treatment services. In this role, they also provide important feedback on client progress to the Occupational Therapists (OTs), clients, and other practitioners. OTAs practice in a variety of settings with clients across the lifespan who have many different types of diagnoses. Mizzou’s OTA graduates are eligible for the national certification exam.
What classes will I take?
Before being accepted to the clinical phase of the program, students complete general education requirements and program prerequisites. The program includes a secondary application process, where students must apply and be accepted to proceed to the clinical phase.
Occupational Therapy Assistant students learn how to utilize and integrate evidence in professional practice, address the occupational needs of individuals and communities, gain clinical experience and more. This includes classes such as:
- Measuring Functional Movement
- Assistive Technology and Adaptations
- OTA Practice in Community
- Field Experience
View a full list of required classes.
Are there experiential learning opportunities?
Yes! The University of Missouri believes in learning by doing. Mizzou OTA students complete multiple levels of fieldwork, gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings. Additionally, students undertake a baccalaureate project focused on a specific area, such as clinical practice skills, administration, leadership, advocacy or education.
Become an occupational therapy assistant major
You can pursue an occupational therapy assistant degree at any point in your career at MU. To begin the clinical phase of the OTA program, students must complete a secondary application and receive admission.
- New students: Apply to MU and choose Occupational Therapy Assistant as your major.
- Current students: Declare or change your major
Frequently asked questions
A major in occupational therapy assistant is ideal for students passionate about health care and helping others achieve independence. This hands-on, patient-centered career is well-suited for those who enjoy working closely with diverse populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with physical or mental challenges.
A bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy assistant prepares graduates to sit for national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensed OTAs can practice in a variety of work settings, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, home health agencies and more.
Graduates are also eligible to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy should they choose to continue their education after graduation.
Mizzou’s Occupational Therapy Assistant bachelor’s degree prepares you for your future by giving you hands-on experiences such as fieldwork opportunities and a baccalaureate project. Our OTA-B students have a unique opportunity to experience multiple interprofessional and intraprofessional collaborations — from the annual interprofessional education day with students from other disciplines to intraprofessional activities with the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) students here in the Department of Occupational Therapy. These experiences are invaluable in preparing students for the teamwork expected of them in their careers, which lead optimal client outcomes.
Graduates of the Mizzou OTA-B program are well-equipped to enter the health care field quickly, earn a competitive salary, and build a fulfilling career providing valuable hands-on care to others.
This program has a secondary application. Students typically apply to the clinical phase of the program during their sophomore year. Learn more about the OTA secondary application process.
The Mizzou OTA program accepts up to 44 students each year. We are receiving more and more applications to the program every year, but do not currently get more applications than there are spots.
Program accreditation
Yes, the MU OTA-B Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Graduates of the program 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). NBCOT is located at 1 Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. NBCOT’s telephone number is (301) 990-7979 and its web address is www.nbcot.org.
Institutional accreditation
University of Missouri institutional accreditation is provided by:
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
Phone: 800-621-7440
See the University of Missouri Provost’s Office website for professional licensure disclosure information.
After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Students must complete 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as completion of a baccalaureate project within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13/11 | 85% |
| 2024 | 15/15 | 100% |
| Total | 28/26 | 93% |
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) program data results.
The Occupational Therapy department follows the University of Missouri’s undergraduate tuition and fees for the Occupational Therapy Assistant baccalaureate program. Learn more about OTA program costs.
Currently licensed OTAs
Advance your career with a bachelor’s degree! The Bachelor of Health Science online degree program is 100% online, so you can complete your degree while working as an OTA.