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Occupational Therapy Assistant

DEGREE TYPE

A.S.

TIME TO COMPLETION

2+ years

LOCATIONS

Manchester

MODE OF STUDY

On-Ground, Hybrid

CAREER FIELD

Health Careers

Ready to make a real impact on people's lives?

Discover how a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant can empower you to help others thrive.

occupational therapy assistant student helps other student push trayThe Occupational Therapy Assistant program trains students to work with individuals limited by physical, emotional, developmental disabilities, illness, or the aging process. The goal is to help people of all ages live life to the fullest by enabling them to perform everyday activities at home, work, or school.

Working under the indirect supervision of a Registered Occupational Therapist, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant provides patients with training on ways to perform life’s daily activities. An occupational therapy assistant also offers patients and their families suggestions on how to adapt home, work and school environments to best meet the individuals' unique needs.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program at CT State Manchester is a two-year selective admissions program that combines coursework with two 8-week supervised clinical experiences focusing on the psycho-social, physical and developmental aspects of occupational therapy practice.

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Admissions

This is a selective admissions program. Additional admissions requirements beyond general acceptance to the college are needed.

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Curriculum

See learning outcomes and required courses for the Health Information Technology-Data Management degree.

Contact

Donna Sweeney, M.Ed.,OTR/L
OTA Program Director
Email: Donna.Sweeney@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-512-2717

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ACCREDITATION

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)located at 6116 Executive Blvd., 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.

Manchester Community College’s previously accredited program has undergone a consolidation with those at the other community colleges in Connecticut and now operates under Connecticut State Community College. ACOTE has transferred accreditation of the Manchester Community College OTA program to Connecticut State Community College.  The data presented herein corresponds to the program under its former name, Manchester Community College.

CERTIFICATION

Graduates of this program are 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 graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Additionally, all states require licensure to practice; However, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification exam. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.

Year Total Number of New Graduates Testing Total Number of New Graduates Passing (% passing) Total Number of New Graduates Failing (% failing)
2023 9 8 (89%) 1 (11%)
2022 19 19 (100%) 0 (0%)
2021 14 14 (100%) 0 (0%)
2020 16 16 (100%)  0 (0%)
2019 16 15 (94%) 1 (6%)

The total number of graduates from MCC’s OTA program during the five-year period of 2018-2023 was 95, with an overall graduation rate of 93%.

Graduation Year Students Entering/
Graduating		 Graduation Rate
2023 14/16 87.5%
2022 23/20 87%
2021 18/17 94%
2020 19/18 95%
2019 21/17 81%
Total: 95/88 93%

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

Find out about a career in Occupational Therapy.

ACCELERATED OPTION: 3 SEMESTERS
  Fall 2024
10 Credits		 Spring 2025
16 Credits		 Fall 2025
12 Credits
Tuition CT Resident, OTA Classes $1,920 $2,304 $2,304
OTA Clinical Program Fee $377 $377 $377
Books $516.12 $447.69 $0
Student Activity Fee $20 $20 $20
College Services Fee $263 $305 $305
U-Pass Transportation Fee $40 $40 $40
Total Semester Cost (OTA) $3,136.12 $3,493.69 $3,046

Total Program Cost: $9,675.81 

FULL-TIME OPTION:  4 SEMESTERS
  Fall 2024
7 Credits		 Spring 2025
16 Credits		 Fall 2025
3 Credits		 Spring 2026
12 Credits
Tuition CT Resident, OTA Classes $1,344 $2,304 $576 $2,304
OTA Clinical Program Fee $377 $377 $377 $377
Books $391.46 $447.69  $62.66 $0
Student Activity Fee $20 $20 $20 $20
College Services Fee $200 $305 $116 $305
U-Pass Transportation Fee $40 $40 $40 $40
Total Semester Cost (OTA) $2,372.46 $3,493.69 $1,191.66 $3,046

Total Program Cost: $10,103.81

PART-TIME OPTION: 5 SEMESTERS
  Fall 2024
7 Credits		 Spring 2025
8 Credits		 Fall 2025
3 Credits		 Spring 2026
8 Credits		 Fall 2026
12 Credits
Tuition CT Resident, OTA Classes $1,344 $1,536 $576 $1,536 $2,304
OTA Clinical Program Fee $377 $377 $377 $377 $377
Books $391.46 $254 $62.66 $193.69 $0
Student Activity Fee $10 $10 $10 $10 $10
College Services Fee $200 $221 $116 $221 $305
U-Pass Transportation Fee $40 $40 $40 $40 $40
Total Semester Cost (OTA) $2,362.46 $2,438 $1,181.66 $2,377.69 $3,036

Total Program Cost: $11,395.81

Tuition and fees are subject to change and are set by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Connecticut State Legislature. Totals shown represent OTA classes only; exact program totals are dependent upon the general education courses transferred in by the student. All OTA courses must be taken at CT State Manchester.

Tuition and fees for any outstanding general education* courses and out-of-state tuition can be found on the college’s Tuition and Fees page.

*ANT*1018, BIO*1111, CCS*1001, COM*1301, ENG*1010, MATH*1003 or Math 1201 or Math 1200, PSY*2001 and electives in CSC and Elective ARHX – Arts and Humanities.

JOB OUTLOOK

Occupational therapy is a fast-growing specialty in the healthcare field. Demand is strong and is expected to remain strong for individuals with the training and education received from CT State’s accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Jobs will likely be found in all types of healthcare settings–hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers and home health agencies—as well as retirement communities, schools and wellness centers.

Additional Resources