Overview - Occupational Therapy Assistant
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program empowers you to assist people of
all ages, cultures and abilities in leading independent, productive, and fulfilling
lives. This rigorous two-year course combines academic learning with hands-on fieldwork,
preparing you to design and implement therapeutic plans under an occupational therapist’s
guidance. Graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT exam, paving the way for a rewarding
career in occupational therapy.
View the Occupational Therapy Assistant A.A.S. admissions and academic details.
Career Information
The career finder can help students decide upon the best career path for their area of study. It can provide valuable insights about occupations, salary, and employment trends related to each program of study offered at Walters State Community College. View the projected job growth and labor statistics for this academic program by entering a location.
*Modern Campus Pathways uses data provided by Lightcast.
The Walters State Experience
Why Should You “Write Your Story” at Walters State?
At Walters State, we focus on your success. Our classes are small and professors care about their students’ academic and career goals. Transfer to four-year colleges and universities is seamless through the Tennessee Transfer Pathway and articulation agreements. Want to start a career right after Walters State? Our technical certificates and associate of applied science degrees will train you for in-demand jobs in exciting fields, such as public safety, healthcare, technology and business.
Highlights
- Walters State has been twice awarded Tennessee Community College of the Year.
- Small classes and outstanding faculty who are focused on student success.
- 98% job placement rate for technical education graduates.
- Seamless transfer of classes to four-year colleges through the Tennessee Transfer Pathway program and articulation agreements.
Cost and Admissions
Apply to WSCC
Students must apply, meet admission requirements, and be accepted by Walters State Community College (WSCC).
Students are encouraged to:
- Complete prerequisites, general education requirements and required observation hours
- Maintain an overall 2.5 GPA (excluding Learning Support courses)
- ACT composite of >19 or a score of 80% or higher on the designated tests in reading, vocabulary and math are the minimum scores for ranking purposes. All test scores must be less than five years old.
- Complete the Occupational Therapy Assistant Application online.
- Application, observation documentation and results of designated admissions test must be received by the health programs department no later than the application deadline of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for the fall semester OTA class.
View more information on the Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum page.
Funding Your Education
Tuition is set each June by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Tuition and fees for the current academic year may be viewed on the Cashiers Office website.
View the Estimated Expenses for the OTA Program
Students admitted to the Occupational Therapist Assistant Program will be assessed a non-refundable $25.00 per credit hour Allied Health Course Fee for the duration of the program.
Four types of financial aid are available; federal, state, institutional and other sources. Students need to send FAFSA information to the college for consideration for state and/or federal money (lottery scholarships, Pell grants, etc.). WSCC is an eligible institution for Hope (lottery) scholarships. For specific information please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Program Outcomes
Outcomes
| Graduation Year | Student Entering / Graduating | Graduation Rate |
| 2024 | 12/8 | 67% |
| 2023 | 14/10 | 71% |
| 2022 | 12/6 | 50% |
| Total | 38/24 | 63% |
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Program Results
Accreditation
Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
The Occupational Therapy Assistant 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) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the state’s educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.
Graduates of the Walters State OTA 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). 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.
