Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology - A.A.S. Download to print

The Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology prepares students to be occupational therapy assistants, who work under the direction of an occupational therapist to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional or developmental disabilities. The ultimate goal is to improve clients' quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. With successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapy Assistants administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Portions of the program's courses incorporate the use of technology and/or may be offered in a distance learning format. Under certain circumstances, OCAT students are required to attend clinicals on days outside of the academic calendar. These circumstances may occur on scheduled or unscheduled campus closures or on days when classes are cancelled, but the campus remains open. Examples include certain holidays, spring recess and/or prior to the start of semesters. Students will be notified in advance of these dates.

Occupational therapy assistants held about 28,500 jobs in 2010. They worked in hospitals, nursing facilities, offices of other health practitioners, home health services, individual and family services and governmental agencies. Job prospects should be very good for occupational therapy assistants. Employment is expected to grow by about 43% between 2010 and 2020 as the demand for occupational therapy services rises.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Admission is open to anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent.

For more information on admissions, visit the Admissions website for new freshmen. For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the Admissions website.

Acceptance to Technical Study:

This is a selective process. Students who have met the following criteria will be considered for acceptance: admission to the university and any prescribed developmental coursework; a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer time in at least two different occupational therapy settings; high school or college courses in algebra and general biology; and a 2.70 GPA. Students interested in the program should apply directly to the Ashtabula or East Liverpool campus and meet with the program director. Detailed information and requirements for admission may be obtained from the Kent State Ashtabula or East Liverpool campus program offices.

Minimum 69 credit hours. Minimum 2.000 cumulative and major GPA.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Utilize occupational therapy theory and techniques when providing appropriate occupation-based interventions to improve client outcomes with occupations, occupational role and ability to interact with the environment.
2. Demonstrate professional behaviors by providing occupational therapy services to diverse populations in a variety of settings.
3. Complete professional development activities which may include advocating for the profession and community service activities.
4. Select and perform occupation-based interventions appropriate for client-centered treatments utilizing critical thinking and clinical reasoning.
5. Pass the national certification exam.

American Occupational Therapy Association 
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
4720 Montgomery Ln Ste 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3449
301-652-6611
www.aota.org