Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant at SFCC

If you are passionate about helping people overcome challenges and live more independent lives, the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at SFCC can prepare you for a rewarding healthcare career. Occupational therapy assistants work with individuals of all ages who have physical, developmental, social, or emotional disabilities, helping them develop the skills needed for everyday living. Through hands-on learning, clinical experiences, and supportive instruction, you'll gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Degree Options

Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant

 

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Build Your Future in Occupational Therapy

Whether you're beginning your healthcare journey or looking for a career that combines compassion with hands-on patient care, the Occupational Therapy Assistant program provides an efficient pathway into the profession. Students complete an Associate of Applied Science degree through SFCC while participating in the Missouri Health Professions Consortium (MHPC) program. The curriculum combines hybrid coursework, laboratory experiences, and supervised clinical fieldwork to prepare graduates for certification, licensure, and employment in a variety of healthcare settings.

Missouri Health Professions Consortium

 

Develop the communication, critical-thinking, and patient care skills needed for success in occupational therapy.

  • Earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant through SFCC.
  • Complete the professional phase of the program in just 12 months after finishing prerequisite coursework.
  • Benefit from a hybrid format featuring live online classes and weekly on-campus laboratory instruction.
  • Gain hands-on experience through laboratory activities and supervised clinical fieldwork.
  • Learn to help patients improve independence and perform meaningful daily activities.
  • Prepare for certification and state licensure as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
  • Learn from supportive faculty and benefit from the educational resources of the Missouri Health Professions Consortium.
  • Prepare for careers in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and community-based healthcare settings.
  • Make a meaningful impact by serving individuals and communities, including rural and underserved populations.



The MHPC Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) 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-AOTA or visit their website: https://acoteonline.org/.

Graduates of the 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). 

Individuals will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) upon successful completion of coursework and passing of the national certification exam. In addition, Missouri requires licensure to practice; however, acquisition of a state license is based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. 

A felony conviction may affect a student’s ability to secure a clinical fieldwork rotation and/or graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Exam or attain State Licensure. 

 

Accreditation

The MHPC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). 

Following successful completion of coursework and passing of the certification exam, individuals will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Even with successful coursework completion students may be prohibited from sitting for the NBCOT Certification Exam if they have a felony conviction. In Missouri, state licensure is required in order to practice and acquisition of a license is contingent upon passing the NBCOT Certification Exam. For more information regarding accreditation, please contact the American Occupational Therapy Association:

ACOTE
Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-2682
(800) 377-8555 TDD
accred@aota.org
www.acoteonline.org

The MHPC OTA Program is designed to meet educational requirements for a OTA license required for employment as a licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant. The State Fair Community College Associate Degree Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is designed to meet educational requirements for a OTA license required for employment as a Occupational Therapist Assistant. Completion of the State Fair Community College Occupational Therapy Program meets educational requirements for licensure in all 50 states including Guam, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. If you have questions about licensure requirements in a specific state, contact the program directly.