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Prepare for the Growing Field as an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)

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Pursue your passion and play a crucial role in helping individuals engage in daily life activities and overall well-being in our Occupational Therapy Assistant Distance Learning – Online Program

Job Growth & Stability

Employment of OTAs is projected to grow 21% from 2023-2033 much faster than the average for all occupations per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A career in Occupational Therapy offers diverse opportunities to make a positive impact across various age groups to regain, restore, develop, or master the activities of daily life in order to “Live Life to Its Fullest!”

Opportunities for Advancement

The field of Occupational Therapy offers plenty opportunities for advancement in the field. With experience, therapy assistants can move into supervisory roles, managing teams or coordinating therapy programs.

Distance Learning, Flexibility, and Convenience

90% of the curriculum is eight-week in length and are completed through asynchronized yet paced online academic work to allow for flexibility in completing coursework with structure to help you stay on track.

In addition, the program includes:

  • 3-4 weekends per semester on campus for hands-on learning and competencies
  • Clinical fieldwork rotations for 16 weeks after academic work completed
  • Clinical fieldwork can be completed in your community, creating opportunities to demonstrate leadership involvement in your local community

Is the Murray State College Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited?

The OTA program at Murray State College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc (AOTA)

After completing the program, graduates can take the National Board Certification Occupational Therapy Examination and apply for OTA licensure.


Program Requirements and Course Details
Associate of Applied Science in Occupation Therapy Assistant

Distance Learning Design

The online didactic portion of the program is completed during the first 3 semesters (fall, spring, and summer) with 3-4 on-campus laboratory weekends per semester.

The 4th and final semester of the 16-month program is the fieldwork portion:

  • Fieldwork consists of two 8-week clinical experiences and is typically completed as a full time on-site placement at approximately 40 hours/week
  • Students can obtain fieldwork sites within their own communities with the assistance of the MSC OTA Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
  • Clinical fieldwork can be completed in your community, creating opportunities to demonstrate leadership involvement in your local community

Additional online benefits:

  • Virtual office hours with instructors flexible, availability includes evenings and weekends.
  • Opportunities through the OTA Alpha Omega Tau National Honor society to excel in leadership and advocacy skills

Career Opportunities

Occupational Therapist Assistants serve an integral role in providing quality healthcare in a variety of settings, with career opportunities in diverse work environments such as:

  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Home health agencies
  • Community mental health centers
  • Psychiatric units
  • Vocational rehabilitation programs
  • Sheltered workshops
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Drug and alcohol programs
  • Adult day care centers
  • Public and private school systems

Associate of Applied Science Degree Requirements

33 credit hours in general education courses
35 credit hours in core requirements

If you would like to receive a tentative evaluation of transfer credit,
please contact Online Admissions at 580.319.5453 or online@mscok.edu

General Education Requirements

Course #Course DescriptionCredit Hours
ENG 1113English Composition I3
ENG 1213English Composition II or SPC 1113 Fundamentals of Speech3
HST 1483US History to the Civil War (or) HST 1493 US History snc Civil War3
GVT 1113American Federal Government3
AP 2124Human Anatomy & Physiology I4
AP 2134Human Anatomy & Physiology II4
Humanities3
MathematicsAny college-level gen ed math course (or) MTH 1213 Technical Math3
PSY 1113Introductory Psychology3
PSY 2523Developmental Psychology3
SOC 1113Introduction to Sociology3
COL 1211Success Strategies1

Program Core Requirements

OTA 2111Introduction to the Philosophy of Occupational Therapy1
OTA 2222Critical Reasoning for Activity Analysis2
OTA 2113Occupational Therapy Process and Investigation3
OTA 2133Understanding Clinical Conditions through Leadership & Advocacy in OT3
OTA 2143Kinesiology and upper Extremity Interventions3
OTA 2101Fieldwork Level IA1
OTA 2203Therapeutics Interventions in Pediatrics3
OTA 2223Community & Psychosocial Practice3
OTA 2243Occupational Therapy Practice & Adaptations3
OTA 2122Therapeutic Techniques2
OTA 2121Fieldwork Level 1B1
OTA 2233Professional Management3
OTA 2251Therapeutic System Patterns1
OTA 2253Clinical Fieldwork Level IIA3
OTA 2263Clinical Fieldwork Level IIB3
MOA 1113Medical Terminology I3
HWP 2213First Aid3
BIO 1114General Biology or BIO 1404 Principles of Biology*4

*Grade of C or higher is a prerequisite for AP 2124

From Here, Go Anywhere. Get started on your online degree today.