Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS

Put your compassionate nature and great interpersonal skills to work in a career that is dynamic and creative as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). As an OTA you may help patients develop or recover the skills they need to perform everyday tasks as you:

• Administer treatment after injuries
• Provide ongoing rehabilitation
• Work in geriatrics
• Work in pediatrics
• Encourage independence

The Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program is designed to prepare you to function as a professional OTA in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes and school settings under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).

Program Accreditation Status - 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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates 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). Successful certification permits the graduate to apply for licensure as required by the State of Illinois. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

What makes MCC's Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program better than or distinct from similar programs at other institutions?

At MCC, instructors emphasize focus on the community, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and clinical reasoning in every aspect of the program. MCC's OTA program incorporates technology, evidenced-based information, and current trends to provide you with hands-on experiences to assist in the learning process. Many aspects of the program include working with community partners to encourage more application-based learning within the curriculum. 

What job opportunities are available to someone with an Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS?

This AAS degree prepares you to function as a professional OTA in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes and school settings under the supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).

How will MCC's Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program prepare me for my career or connect me to opportunities?

Gain real-world experience and network in the community as you complete your fieldwork experiences and through application-based curricular activities.

By the Numbers:

• Occupational Therapy Assistant is ranked #1 Best Health Care Support Job and #12 in The 100 Best Jobs by U.S. News
• The job market for Occupational Therapy Assistants is expected to grow by 41% from 2012 to 2022
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in 2016 was $59,010.

What have graduates gone on to do?

MCC OTA students have been hired by locals school districts, skilled nursing facilities, and local children's outpatient clinics throughout the area.

Outside of the Classroom

• Join MCC's Student Occupational Therapy Assistants and learn about shadowing and volunteer opportunities!
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Illinois Occupational Therapy Association(ILOTA)

Additional Information