Occupational Therapy Assistant | Platt College
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Associate’s Degree Program

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant and help clients and patients build independence through supervised therapeutic care.

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Earn your Associate’s Degree in as little as 20-months!

  • Hands-on training with experienced instructors and professionals in the field
  • Programmatic accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
  • Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination
  • Financial aid is available to qualified students
  • Full-time on-site career services
  • Convenient class schedules

The Platt College Experience

Real Graduates. Real Stories.

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Overview & Accreditation

Platt College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is designed to prepare students to seek entry-level employment in their chosen field.

Make a difference by helping clients of all ages live full and vibrant lives by promoting health, and preventing – or living better with – injury, illness or disability.

Headed by professionals in the field, this program will give you the critical skills you need to successfully perform your duties as an assistant to occupational therapists. 

Under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistants typically work with clients with injury, illness and/or disability. Working in such settings as hospitals, clinics, public schools, and private homes, Occupational Therapy Assistants make environmental and task-related adaptations for their clients to enable them to effectively master the activities of daily life.

You will perform support activities for the occupational therapist. This includes helping patients perform therapeutic exercises, guiding them in the use of special equipment, and filling out the relevant paperwork. Monitoring is also a huge part of your job; you ensure that patients are following the treatment plan while also keeping track of their progress. As an occupational therapy assistant, you play a huge role in the recovery and independence of your patients.

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

OTA PROGRAMS: The number of students who graduate on time (G1) plus the number of students who graduate within 150% of expected time (G2) divided by the number of students admitted in the original cohort (G3) minus the number of students who withdrew due to military, health, family issues, death, and other reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (G4). Calculation per calendar year is = (G1 + G2) / (G3 – G4).

The total number of graduates from the Platt College Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science program during the 3-year period of 2023 – 2025 was 35, with an overall graduation rate of 85%.

Graduation Year

Students Entering/Graduating

Graduation Rate

2023

10/8

80%

2024

14/12

86%

2025

17/15

88%

Total

41/35

85%

Program offered at the following campuses: Anaheim

GRADUATION FROM THE PROGRAM DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENTRY INTO ANY CAREER. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS MAY APPLY DEPENDING ON AN INDIVIDUAL’S PREVIOUS EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE.

The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program has been granted Accreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA (2686) and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

After successful completion of the board exam, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

As part of the Platt College Anaheim Occupational Therapy Assistant program, students must complete an externship (640 hours of Level II fieldwork) following the completion of the in-class portion of the program to graduate.

Platt College Los Angeles LLC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).  For more information, click HERE

Schedule & Campus Offered

With convenient class schedules, you can earn your Associate Degree as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in as little as 20-months!

Start times for each OTA cohort vary by campus, contact us for details HERE

Financial Aid

Platt College is committed to providing the information and resources necessary to help every student achieve educational success.   Types of financial aid available for qualified students include:

  • Federal Grants, including Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work Study (FWS)
  • California State Grant Programs, including Cal Grants and California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
  • Federal Direct loans
  • Private Loans & Scholarships

To learn more, click HERE

Career Services

Platt College maintains an active career services department to assist graduates as well as current students seeking part-time or full-time jobs while attending school. However, the school cannot guarantee employment.

Students are given the opportunity to pursue job referrals maintained by Career Services.

Our Career Services personnel explain and assist with our student’s job search process. Placement efforts occur through graduation and beyond.

Career Services aims to build the job acquiring skills of our students through interviews and workshops in the following areas:

  • Career planning
  • Resume and cover letter writing
  • Completing applications
  • Researching and contacting potential employers

To learn more, click HERE

Additional Program Information

Cost of Attendance is defined at Platt College per academic year of 3 terms, 30 weeks (cost is based upon average expenses comprised from California Student Aid Commission’s student’s expense budget and if the student is living with parents or without parents). For more details click HERE

Upon successful completion of the program of instruction, the graduate will be awarded an Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant, provided all financial obligations have been met, and a minimum grade point average has been attained. To graduate, a student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) and meet all attendance requirements. In addition, all students must meet with Career Services and Financial Aid and complete and sign all documentation prior to being approved for graduation.

Click here for Graduation Rates

Potential employment opportunities for graduates from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Platt College in Anaheim, CA:

Rehabilitation Centers. You’ll help patients in rehabilitation centers get back to the peak of their health and attain independence. You’ll provide support to the therapists who oversee the recovery of the patients.

Nursing Homes. You’ll carry out activities and exercises in assisted living communities. You’ll help the residents have a healthy, fulfilling, and enriching daily life.

Schools. You’ll help schools that focus on kids with attention, hyperactivity, or other disorders and help them make the most of their education.

Our Locations

In-Person

Hybrid

Distance

ANA 01

Platt College Anaheim

1400 S. Douglass Road Suite 125, Anaheim, CA 92806

1-888-56-PLATT (1-888-567-5288)

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Platt College Anaheim has been recognized by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges as a 2024 ACCSC School of Excellence.

Platt College’s Anaheim campus is centrally located just minutes off the 57 freeway, between the 91 and 5 freeways at 1400 South Douglass Road Suite 125. Easily accessible for students across Orange County. In addition to serving Anaheim, our programs attract learners from nearby communities including Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Long Beach, Fullerton, Orange, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, La Habra, Bellflower, and other surrounding cities.

 

 

Our Locations

  • ANA 01

    Platt College Anaheim

    1400 S. Douglass Road Suite 125, Anaheim, CA 92806

    1-888-56-PLATT (1-888-567-5288)

    Platt College Anaheim is centrally located just minutes off the 57 freeway, between the 91 and 5 freeways.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Associate Degree Program at Platt College is an on-campus, full-time program that includes required laboratory instruction and supervised fieldwork education and follows an established associate-degree curriculum sequence.

Program features include:

  • Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Eligibility to apply for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, subject to applicable requirements
  • Programmatic accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
  • On-campus delivery with required labs and supervised fieldwork experiences
  • Institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
  • Approval to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
  • Student services available during enrollment, including academic advising, financial aid guidance, and Career Services

Platt College programs are educational in nature. Completion of the program does not guarantee certification, licensure, or employment.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree program is designed to prepare students to support occupational therapists by assisting with evaluation-related tasks, implementing intervention plans under supervision, documenting services, and helping clients participate in everyday activities across a variety of settings.

The curriculum includes coursework such as:

  • Anatomy & Physiology for Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Kinesiology I and II
  • Neuroscience
  • Medical Terminology and Medical Conditions
  • Foundations of Occupational Therapy
  • Activity Analysis
  • Occupational Therapy Interventions
  • Pediatrics Conditions I and II
  • Psychosocial Health
  • Hand and Upper Extremity Conditions
  • Neurological Conditions
  • Cognitive and Neurodegenerative Conditions
  • Assistive Technology and Environmental Adaptation
  • Data Collection and Documentation
  • Theory in a Practice Profession
  • Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Community-Based Wellness and Access
  • NBCOT Test Preparation
  • Level I and Level II Fieldwork courses

These courses prepare students to assist with assessments, implement intervention plans, document care, and support client participation across a variety of occupational therapy practice settings.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program (full-time) is designed to be completed in:

  • 20 months
  • 1,926 clock hours
  • 131.5 quarter credit hours

Upon successful completion of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree all academic, attendance, and financial requirements, graduates are awarded an Associate’s Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree Program is offered at the:

  • Anaheim Campus

This Occupational Therapy Assistant program is delivered on campus and follows a structured sequence that includes:

  • On-campus didactic (classroom-based) instruction
  • Skills development aligned to the program curriculum
  • Required supervised fieldwork courses

Course sequencing and schedules are determined by the program curriculum and cohort start date.

Yes. Supervised fieldwork is a required component of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, including:

  • Level I Fieldwork
  • Incorporated into Interprofessional Collaboration and Fieldwork I
  • Includes 64 hours of supervised fieldwork experience
  • Level II Fieldwork
  • A sequence of multiple Level II Fieldwork courses with supervised practice
  • Published fieldwork hours for the Level II sequence total 690 hours across the listed Level II Fieldwork courses

Fieldwork placements are completed in accordance with program and site requirements.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program provides education applicable to entry-level occupational therapy assistant roles, subject to certification and state licensure requirements.

Employment outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and applicable credentialing/licensure requirements.Graduates may pursue opportunities in settings such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
  • Outpatient therapy clinics
  • Community-based and wellness-focused settings

Employment outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and applicable licensure requirements.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program may be a fit for individuals who:

  • Want an occupational therapy assistant educational pathway that includes required fieldwork
  • Prefer a structured, full-time, cohort-based program sequence
  • Are seeking a program with specialized accreditation (ACOTE)
  • Are preparing to pursue NBCOT certification and state licensure, subject to applicable requirements

In addition to general admissions requirements, Occupational Therapy Assistant applicants must meet program-specific criteria, which may include:

  • Proof of high school graduation, GED, or equivalent
  • Completion of a personal admissions interview
  • Program admissions assessment requirements (as applicable)
  • Completion of an Allied Health standardized exam with the required minimum score (as applicable)
  • An interview with the Program Director (as applicable)
  • Submission of a personal statement (as applicable)
  • Meeting program participation requirements (including physical requirements, as applicable)
  • Completing background screening requirements when required for clinical/fieldwork participation

Program-specific requirements are reviewed during the enrollment process.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is delivered in a structured cohort format.

Class schedules vary by start date and are determined by the Anaheim campus. Current scheduling options are reviewed during the enrollment process.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program costs may include:

  • Tuition
  • Books & supplies

The most current cost information can be found in the Catalog Addendum and will also be reviewed during the enrollment process.

Financial aid is available to qualified students for the Occupational Therapy Assistant.

Eligibility and available funding options are reviewed during the financial aid portion of the enrollment process.

Specialized accreditation, approvals, and eligibility

Yes. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program holds specialized/programmatic accreditation through ACOTE.

Programmatic (specialized) accreditation: The OTA program’s specialized accreditation is through ACOTE.

Institutional accreditation: Platt College holds institutional accreditation through ACCSC.

State approval to operate: Platt College is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Graduates of an ACOTE-accredited OTA program may be eligible to:

  • Apply to sit for the NBCOT certification examination, subject to NBCOT requirements
  • Apply for state licensure, subject to the requirements of the state in which the graduate seeks licensure

Program completion does not guarantee certification or licensure.

A background review may be required depending on the credentialing/licensure pathway. For example, in California, applicants for licensure are required to complete a fingerprinting process (Live Scan), and outcomes can be affected by an applicant’s background history. Requirements and determinations are governed by the relevant credentialing/licensing bodies.

  • Request information and speak with Admissions
  • Complete a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
  • Complete program admissions steps and required assessments (as applicable)
  • Submit required documentation (education verification and other required materials)
  • Review required disclosures prior to enrollment
  • Complete enrollment paperwork
  • Begin the program in the next available cohort

Transfer credit may be considered, subject to transcript evaluation and academic approval. Because OTA technical coursework and fieldwork are sequenced and competency-based, core OTA and fieldwork courses are typically completed within the program’s required sequence. Transfer evaluations are completed through the appropriate academic/records process.

An OT is the clinician responsible for evaluation and overall plan of care. An OTA works under OT supervision and assists with implementing interventions and documenting services, consistent with applicable laws and practice standards.

Fieldwork occurs within the program sequence through Level I Fieldwork and a series of Level II Fieldwork courses. Timing is determined by the cohort schedule and successful completion of prerequisite coursework.

Yes. The Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum includes NBCOT Test Preparation as part of the program sequence.

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