Associate of Science – Occupational Therapy Assistant

Our accredited OTA program  is designed to accommodate distance learners so you can earn your Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science degree and enter one of the fastest-growing professions in as little as 20 months!

Our OTA Program at a Glance

Start Immediately. Finish Successfully.

• Flexible Format.  General education courses are integrated into the program to supplement and enhance our OTA courses. Some of these general education courses are offered online, which creates additional flexibility for our students.
• Licensing.  A graduate of our OTA program is eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon passing the exam, students then submit for state licensure to obtain employment.
• Distance Learners.  Local and distance-education students will enjoy our flexible, blended classroom with the majority of the coursework completed online. Students are only required on campus for in-person labs during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters which take place at Joyce University in Draper, Utah. *Students must be a resident of the following states to apply to this program: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, and Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, or Utah
• No Prerequisites.  There are no prior college prerequisites required for admission to our OTA program.

Learning Outcomes for a Lifetime of Success

The objective of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science degree program is to prepare graduates with the essential skills, professional attitudes, and practice competencies needed to succeed in their roles as occupational therapy assistants.

• Use the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, 4th ed. to prioritize, plan, and carry out independent and collaborative therapeutic interventions that focus on “occupation” as the means and end.
• Partner with clients and the healthcare team to design and implement client-centered care that is inclusive of the realities, experiences, and values held by diverse populations.
• Implement professional communication skills when interacting with clients and members of the healthcare team.
• Participate in professional organizations, community involvement, and lifelong learning.
• Promote health and wellness among individuals, communities, and populations.

Program

Our OTA degree is a 66-credit hour program composed of 75 weeks (5 semesters) and is offered as a blended (on-ground and online) format. Students will learn to work with individuals and groups who are experiencing difficulties in participating in and/or completing everyday living tasks as a result of physical injury or illness, mental health concerns, developmental or learning disabilities, or the aging process. Distance learners are required to attend the Draper, Utah campus for labs during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters of the program.

Coursework

Coursework will consist of lectures, labs, and fieldwork training. Students learn to utilize evidence-based practice, occupation-based, and client-centered approaches to patient/client care to assist clients in achieving their highest level of function and independence for improving the client’s quality of life.

Skills Training

Students must complete 16 weeks of level II fieldwork. During your fieldwork courses, you will implement the use of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework to provide appropriate interventions to a diverse population of persons in a healthcare, education, or community site. Faculty or clinical educators are present to assist with guiding your learning experiences and clinical decision-making.

High pass rates. High satisfaction.

• 100 % NBCOT Exam Pass Rate
• 83 % Student Retention Rate (2019-2021)
• 82 % Job Placement Rate

Sources: School Performance (nbcot.org)

Admissions

Our OTA program makes it easy to start your new career. Admittance to the program requires proof of high school graduation, a passing drug screen, and background check, and an entrance exam called a TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills), along with other general requirements.

We prepare our students to take on the challenges  of a dynamic, meaningful career, armed with the confidence and compassion to make a lasting impact on their patients and their communities.

Our Mission

To prepare people to serve as competent professionals, to advance their careers, and to pursue lifelong learning.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

All graduates are trained to:

• Use evidence-based research in practice
• Serve diverse communities and stakeholders
• Demonstrate life-long learning skills
• Perform as competent professionals

Our Vision

We aspire to create learning environments which will transform the lives of the people we serve, enabling them to have a greater positive impact on their communities.

Nursing and Healthcare is What We Do

Joyce is best known for nursing education. We offer pre and post-licensure nursing pathways designed to support students regardless of their location and previous college experience. Whether you are new to nursing or looking to advance your nursing career, we can help you achieve your goals.

Our commitment to health sciences goes beyond nursing. With our Occupational Therapy Assistant program, we support students seeking a meaningful career in Occupational Therapy.

Joyce is a thriving institution with a vibrant learning community comprised of outstanding students, accomplished alumni, and stellar faculty who are subject-matter experts in their respective fields – all committed to caring for students, patients, and each other.

As a Joyce student, you should expect to be challenged, enriched, and transformed. We challenge our students because the professions they seek require individuals who are worthy of great trust. We enrich our students so that, as graduates, they may go on to enrich their communities. Lastly, true to Joyce at its core, you should expect to move fast, never sacrifice quality, and be a standard-bearer among your peers.