Occupational Therapy Assistant (A.A.S.)

Become an occupational therapy practitioner at JCC

The Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at Jamestown Community College prepares you for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). You can enter the workforce after graduation, or continue your education with our master's program transfer agreements and bridge programs. With JCC's OTA degree, you’ll have completed two years toward an advanced degree at significant cost savings and the flexibility to work full-time in a professional field.

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTP), which include occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and occupational therapists (OT), help individuals with difficulties due to developmental deficits, physical injury and illness, psychological and social disabilities, and the aging process. OTAs assist OTs with client evaluation, goal setting, implementation of care, and documentation. OTPs work in hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, inpatient and outpatient clinics, early intervention programs, home health care agencies, and mental health facilities. OTPs also work in health and wellness programming, assistive technology, and ergonomics.

While at JCC, you’ll study how human occupational development is affected by illness and injury, and how function can be facilitated. Your courses will emphasize hands-on learning, mentorship, and networking. JCC offers the national recognition and affordable cost of a SUNY community college, plus field expertise from licensed OTPs who work in the classroom and local OT community. JCC’s OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; 301.652.AOTA).

2021 median pay for occupational therapy assistants: $61,520/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

How to apply to OTA

The OTA program has a supplemental application in addition to the JCC application.

Where to study at JCC

Occupational therapy assistant skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Develop and exhibit professional, desirable workplace behaviors which reflect occupational therapy standards of practice.
  • Apply occupation-based, client-centered interventions that address the varying needs of clients.
  • Demonstrate the ability to research evidence-based practices to positively impact interventions and inform occupational therapy practice.
  • Demonstrate clinical reasoning skills and provide innovative occupational therapy interventions in challenging healthcare environments.

Program outcomes

  • 75% of graduates find jobs in occupational therapy or related healthcare fields, or continue on for their OT degree.
  • 90% of graduates are satisfied with their ability to function in an entry level OTA or related position.
  • NBCOT program results
  • JCC program outcome data
28% through 2026
Job Growth
Fact 1
Top 100
Best Jobs
Fact 2
Top 25 Jobs In
Healthcare
Fact 3
Ranked #1 best job
For CC grads
Fact 4

Semester 1

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

OTA 1510: Foundations of Occupational Therapy

3

OTA 1520: Human Conditions Across the Lifespan

3
JCC:Critical and Integrative Reasoning

OTA 1530: Fundamental Skills of OT I

1

BIO 2510: Anatomy and Physiology I

4
JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

PSY 2510: Life Span Development

3
JCC:Cultural Understanding JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
JCC:College Composition
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in all OTA courses to move on to the second semester. 
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in BIO 2510 to begin fourth semester/fieldwork courses.
  • Students should register for BIO 2510 review class.

Semester 2

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

OTA 1620: Psychosocial Concepts & Techniques

2

OTA 1630: Fundamental Skills of OT II

1

OTA 1640: OT Interventions I

2

OTA 1650: Growing Years: Birth – Young Adults

3

OTA 1700: Introduction to Professional Practice

1

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
JCC:College Composition JCC:Oral Communication

PSY 2560: Abnormal Psychology

3
JCC:Cultural Understanding

BIO 2520: Anatomy and Physiology II

4
JCC:Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in all OTA courses to move on to the third semester.
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in BIO 2520 to begin fourth semester/fieldwork courses.
  • Students should register for BIO 2520 review class.

Semester 3

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

OTA 2520: Adulthood and Aging

2

OTA 2540: Community Based Practice

1
JCC:Applied Learning

OTA 2550: Technology & Environmental Apps for Living

3
JCC:Applied Learning

OTA 2560: OT Interventions II

2

OTA 2570: Classroom to Clinic: Preparation for Practice

2

OTA 2620: Physical Rehabilitation

3

MAT 1500: Problem Solving with Math or

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

3
JCC:Mathematical Reasoning
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in all OTA courses to move on to the fourth semester. 
  • MAT 1540 recommended for students planning to go on for an OT degree. 

Semester 4

  SUNY
  JCC
Course
Credits
Requirements Met

OTA 2700: Fieldwork IIA

5
JCC:Applied Learning

OTA 2720: Fieldwork IIB

5
JCC:Applied Learning

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology

3
JCC:Cultural Understanding JCC:Global Perspectives
  • Students must pass OTA 2700 with a C or better to take OTA 2720.
  • SOC 1510 must be an evening or online course in order to complete fieldwork.