Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program 

Earn your associate degree in as few as 96 weeks 

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    Program Overview
    The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Unitek College helps you turn your compassion into a meaningful healthcare career. Many students are drawn to this field through personal experiences, supporting a child with special needs, caring for aging family members, or witnessing the impact of therapy after illness or injury and want to make that kind of difference every day.

    As an OTA, you’ll help individuals of all ages build independence, confidence, and dignity through the activities that matter most, from daily routines to school, work, and home life. This accelerated program is designed for motivated, busy adults and features a flexible blended format that combines online coursework with hands-on labs and supervised fieldwork, allowing you to build real-world skills while balancing your responsibilities.

    Early in the program, on-campus attendance is limited to just one Friday per month, supporting greater flexibility as you get started. The program also offers one core start each year, along with select entry points for students with eligible transfer credits.

    Guided by experienced, student-focused instructors, you’ll connect classroom learning to patient-centered care and prepare to pursue national certification, stepping confidently into a purpose-driven role where your skills and your empathy can have a lasting impact.

    Early in the program, on-campus attendance is limited to just one Friday per month, supporting greater flexibility as you get started. The program also offers one core start each year, along with select entry points for students with eligible transfer credits. Guided by experienced, student-focused instructors, you’ll connect classroom learning to patient-centered care and prepare to pursue national certification, stepping confidently into a purpose-driven role where your skills and your empathy can have a lasting impact.
    HYBRID LEARNING
    Learn through a flexible blend of online coursework and hands-on lab training, helping you build real-world skills while balancing school and life.
    ACOTE-Accredited Program
    The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
    NCLEX PASSING ASSISTANCE
    Placement Rate
    83%*
    View all

    Programs Detail Page Accordion

    How to apply to the OTA program

    • Check Meet with admissions (virtual or in person)
    • Check Begin enrollment processes
    • Check Submit OTA program application & interview with OTA program leadership
    • Check Complete FAFSA and financial aid appointment
    • Check Clear background check, drug screening and provide medical clearance
    • Check Start classes
    • Check *For students accepted into the OTA program, documentation of current CPR certification is required. A drug and background check will be required, and in the state of Arizona, students are also required to complete a fingerprint clearance card.

    *For a list of all admissions steps and requirements, please visit the college catalog.

    Admissions team support

    Our admissions team is with you every step of the way, answering questions, offering encouragement, and helping you feel confident from your first conversation through your first day of class.

    By the time I finished at Unitek, I scheduled and took my NCLEX within a month. I passed on my first time, all thanks to Unitek.

    Almoss M. Unitek College Graduate

    I really appreciate the care and effort that was put in by Career Services. Towards the end of the program, I was beginning to feel some doubts about getting a job, but the whole process (with mock interviews) made me feel a lot more confident.

    Victoria G. Unitek College Graduate

    Fast-Track Your Future

    Our Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed for students who want to move forward with purpose. Through an accelerated and supportive format, you’ll progress through a focused curriculum that blends foundational theory with hands-on clinical practice, preparing you to help individuals build independence, confidence, and function in everyday life.

    Tuition & Financial Support  

    Pursuing a career in occupational therapy should feel achievable and supported. Our Financial Aid team works alongside you to explore available funding options including federal aid, scholarships, and flexible payment solutions so you can navigate the process with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.  

    Practice-Driven Preparation  

    From the classroom to the clinic, you’ll develop the most current practical, hands-on skills employers value most. Through interactive labs and supervised fieldwork, you’ll gain experience supporting therapeutic activities, adaptive strategies, and compassionate, patient-centered care. You will graduate prepared to make a difference in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, community programs, and long-term care settings.  

    A Career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant  

    Occupational Therapy Assistants are trusted partners in care, working alongside Occupational Therapists to help people of all ages rediscover independence in the moments that matter most. Whether supporting a child as they build daily skills, helping an adult recover after injury, or assisting an older adult in maintaining dignity and independence, OTAs play a hands-on role in improving quality of life.

    Through personalized treatment plans and ongoing progress tracking, OTAs bring compassion, patience, and purpose to every stage of the healing journey.

    As the need for rehabilitative and supportive care continues to grow, so does the demand for Occupational Therapy Assistants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for OTAs is projected to grow much faster than average, approximately 20% from 2025 to 2035, driven by expanding healthcare needs, particularly among aging populations.

    The most recent BLS data reports a median annual wage of approximately $70,800* as of May 2025, offering competitive earning potential within a fulfilling, people-centered profession.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Accreditation

    Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

    For campus specific accreditation information, please visit the following links:

    Albuquerque Campus 

    Phoenix Campus 

    Tucson Campus

    Latest News

    *These placement rates are based on program-specific and campus-specific data reported to our institutional accreditor(s) in 2024. While the figures shown here are not separately reported to our accreditor, they are derived from those outcomes. For full details by program and campus, please visit our Disclosures page.

    *Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program (accessed on 10/28/2026).