Prepare for the Growing Field as an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)
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 Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1113 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 1213 | English Composition II or SPC 1113 Fundamentals of Speech | 3 |
| HST 1483 | US History to the Civil War (or) HST 1493 US History snc Civil War | 3 |
| GVT 1113 | American Federal Government | 3 |
| AP 2124 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| AP 2134 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Mathematics | Any college-level gen ed math course (or) MTH 1213 Technical Math | 3 |
| PSY 1113 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 2523 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 1113 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| COL 1211 | Success Strategies | 1 |
Program Core Requirements
| OTA 2111 | Introduction to the Philosophy of Occupational Therapy | 1 |
| OTA 2222 | Critical Reasoning for Activity Analysis | 2 |
| OTA 2113 | Occupational Therapy Process and Investigation | 3 |
| OTA 2133 | Understanding Clinical Conditions through Leadership & Advocacy in OT | 3 |
| OTA 2143 | Kinesiology and upper Extremity Interventions | 3 |
| OTA 2101 | Fieldwork Level IA | 1 |
| OTA 2203 | Therapeutics Interventions in Pediatrics | 3 |
| OTA 2223 | Community & Psychosocial Practice | 3 |
| OTA 2243 | Occupational Therapy Practice & Adaptations | 3 |
| OTA 2122 | Therapeutic Techniques | 2 |
| OTA 2121 | Fieldwork Level 1B | 1 |
| OTA 2233 | Professional Management | 3 |
| OTA 2251 | Therapeutic System Patterns | 1 |
| OTA 2253 | Clinical Fieldwork Level IIA | 3 |
| OTA 2263 | Clinical Fieldwork Level IIB | 3 |
Recommended Electives
| MOA 1113 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| HWP 2213 | First Aid | 3 |
| BIO 1114 | General 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.