Associate in Specialized Technology 

Occupational therapy is a challenging career field that can be extremely rewarding. If you would enjoy helping people overcome mental, physical, developmental, or emotional obstacles, you should consider a career as an occupational therapy assistant.

 Occupational Therapy Career Outlook 

Due to growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function who require therapy services, employment for certified occupational therapy assistants is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014.* In the occupational therapy assistant program at Kaplan Career Institute–ICM campus, you will have the opportunity to learn how to help people with varying levels of disabilities to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. In addition, you will gain real-world experience through externships in the community.

 Career Responsibilities 

While on the job, occupational therapy assistants may be called upon to:

  • Administer and interpret tests such as manual muscle and range of motion
  • Adapt environments for the handicapped
  • Design, fabricate, and apply orthotic and prosthetic devices and equipment
  • Help clients improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities using specifically designed exercises
  • Teach daily living skills to help clients lead more independent, productive, and satisfying lives

 Prepare for Certification Exams 

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).  In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination.  A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Program graduate outcomes and pass rates.
 

 

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* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition.


 

† However, the Institute cannot guarantee a student's eligibility either to take this exam or become certified. A student's eligibility may depend on his or her work experience, completion of high school (or its equivalent), not having a criminal record, meeting other licensure or certification requirements, or the program or Institute itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure. Externship sites may themselves require a criminal background check or medical examination.