Welcome to the USI OTA Program
The occupational therapy assistant helps individuals gain skills needed to become independent in daily living activities under the direction of and in collaboration with the occupational therapist. Students learn the therapeutic use of self-care, work, and play/leisure activities to maximize independent function, enhance development, prevent disability, and maintain health. The ultimate goal is to improve an individual’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
About the Program
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is a 65-credit hour associate degree:
- 17 hour foundation of liberal arts and sciences (50 percent of USI University Core Curriculum)
- 48 hours of occupational therapy assistant courses.
- Students will take the 17-hour block of University Core Curriculum classes prior to enrolling in the Program.
- After acceptance in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, students will complete the 42-credit hour didactic component and the 6-credit hour clinical component.
- In addition to classroom and laboratory hours, this degree includes 16 40-hour weeks of integrated practicum experiences.
- Full-time students can complete the Associate of Science Degree with a major in Occupational Therapy Assistant in five semesters and one summer.
- Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program are encouraged to continue their studies for a Bachelors of Science degree in Health Services.
- All Technical Fieldwork (6 credit hours) must be completed within 18 months of completion of the academic portion of study.
- NBCOT Program Results
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
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General Disclosure of Program Licensure or Certification Requirements The Occupational Therapy Assistant program prepares individuals for employment in the state of Indiana upon successful completion of the National Board of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) COTA examination and upon meeting state licensure requirements. Information for Out-of-State Students Are you an out-of-state student interested in pursuing an Associate's in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at USI or determining if the OTA Program meets individual state requirements for employment? Check your eligibility. The OTA Program is limited to working with certain states in the U.S. only. Moving into a state not recognized by the OTA Program will lead to inability to continue in your coursework. The exception to this is active military status. |
Accreditation
- 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 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number, C/O AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is WWW.ACOTEONLINE.ORG
For more information about tuition, fees and other costs, visit our Financial Aid Cost of Attendance page.
Mission Statement for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
“The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the University of Southern Indiana is dedicated to providing exceptional education within an engaged learning community. We prepare our students to be compassionate and skilled professionals who can navigate and contribute to diverse and dynamic healthcare environments. By fostering critical thinking, cultural competence, and a commitment to lifelong learning, we empower our graduates to lead and make meaningful, positive contributions to their communities and the global society.”
The mission of the USI OTA program will be fulfilled by meeting the following objectives:
- Provide knowledge and skills necessary for an entry-level occupational therapy assistant generalist
- Through a variety of learning activities provide educational experiences necessary to meet societal needs for service provision.
- Promote the education of culturally competent practitioners
- Promote professional development in occupational therapy assistant faculty and occupational therapy practitioners that leads to the value of lifelong learning
- Promote excellence in occupational therapy education, scholarship, and service through leadership, collaboration, consultation, and partnerships with service providers.
- Provide support to the community through advocacy for the profession and client population, service activities, organizational involvement, and political action.
- Institute a caring environment in which occupational therapy assistant students, faculty, and community service providers work together to optimize their personal and professional development.
Vision Statement
“Empower students with the knowledge, skills, and empathetic understanding essential for excellence in diverse occupational therapy settings, fostering innovation in client-centered care, and making a meaningful impact on individuals and communities through transformative therapeutic practices.”
The University of Southern Indiana, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program promotes academic and professional excellence by preparing students to become credentialed occupational therapy practitioners at the entry level. At the time of their graduation the student will have acquired an education founded in liberal arts and sciences and has been exposed to a variety of service models and systems that are commonly used in the current occupational therapy service delivery. The student will have an understanding of the importance of diversity in the delivery of interventions to assigned populations. The student will be articulate in adherence to ethical standards, values and attitudes of occupational therapy practice. The student will verbalize and demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of occupational therapists as they relate to occupational therapy assistants. The student will value the role of a lifelong learner and the importance of remaining current in the practice of occupational therapy. Faculty demonstrate leadership in occupational therapy education, scholarship, and service by sharing their expertise through innovative teaching strategies, presentations, publications, creative works, service provision, collaboration, consultation, and political action to enrich the occupational therapy profession. The faculty of the University of Southern Indiana abides by the current code of ethics of the profession of occupational therapy.
