Location: Haines City/Davenport, Florida
Degree: Associate in Science (AS) in Occupational Therapy Assistant
Length: Approximately 2 years
Credits: 74
Estimated Program Cost: Approximately $10,600
Application Period: February 1–May 31
Class Size: Up to 24 students per year
Format: Primarily in person with some online-assisted instruction
Accreditation: ACOTE
Polk State College offers a 74-credit Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program at its North East Ridge Campus in the Haines City/Davenport area. The limited-admission program prepares students to provide occupational therapy services under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
Students learn how to carry out treatment interventions, teach patients to use adaptive equipment and techniques, and modify activities and environments to support independent daily living. The program combines classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical fieldwork.
Polk State admits up to 24 students each year, with each new cohort beginning in the spring semester.
Program Format and Length
The Polk State OTA program requires approximately two years of full-time study, including summer coursework. Classes are generally scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. two to four days per week.
Most coursework requires face-to-face attendance, although some classes include online-assisted instruction. Students need reliable computer and internet access.
The curriculum includes 14 credits of Level I and Level II clinical fieldwork. Clinical placements may be located in Polk County, surrounding counties, or other states. During full-time fieldwork, students should expect to participate approximately 40 hours per week.
Admission Requirements
Polk State’s OTA program uses a competitive selection process. Applicants must first gain admission to Polk State College and complete the OTA program application requirements.
Minimum requirements include:
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- 2.5 combined GPA in prerequisite courses
- BSC 2085C – Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BSC 2086C – Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- PSY 2012 – General Psychology
- ENC 1101 – College Composition I
- At least 8 hours of occupational therapy observation, volunteer, or qualifying employment experience
- Resume
- Attendance at an OTA Program Information Session
- Review of the program’s Essential Requirements
Anatomy and Physiology I and II must be completed with a grade of C or better, and Anatomy and Physiology coursework is subject to recency requirements.
Students can still be completing certain prerequisites during the application year. Accepted applicants who have outstanding prerequisites may receive conditional acceptance.
Application and Selection
The OTA application is available from February 1 through May 31, with the application window opening at 9:00 a.m. on February 1.
Polk State can admit up to 24 students per cohort. Two seats are reserved for eligible veterans through the college’s Veteran Services Agreement. Unused veteran seats become available to general applicants.
The selection committee considers factors including:
- College GPA
- Prerequisite GPA
- Polk County residency
- Related experience
- Completed general education and co-requisite courses
Selected students and alternates are generally notified in mid-July.
Because the program has specific prerequisite, observation-hour, information-session, and application requirements, prospective students should confirm the current requirements on the official Polk State OTA program page before submitting an application.
Curriculum
The 74-credit curriculum consists of 19 general education credits and 55 program-core credits.
OTA coursework includes:
- OTH 1001C – Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Lab
- OTH 1520C – Pediatric Principles and Interventions
- OTH 2300C – Psychosocial Occupational Therapy and Lab
- OTH 1014C – Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology I
- OTH 2420C – Physical Dysfunction Interventions and Principles in Occupational Therapy
- OTH 2125C – Therapeutic Modalities and Lab
- OTH 2131C – Activity Analysis and Capstone
- OTH 1800 – Level I Fieldwork
- OTH 2840 – Level II Fieldwork: Physical Dysfunction
- OTH 2841 – Level II Fieldwork: Psychosocial
General education coursework includes anatomy and physiology, psychology, English composition, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
See the Polk State College catalog for the current OTA curriculum and degree requirements.
Fieldwork
Clinical fieldwork gives students supervised experience applying occupational therapy skills in professional settings.
Placements may include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, schools, pediatric facilities, mental health agencies, and other healthcare or community settings.
Students may need to travel 60 miles or more to reach an assigned clinical site.
Tuition and Program Costs
Polk State estimates the total cost of the OTA program at approximately $10,600.
The estimate includes:
- Tuition
- Books and lab fees
- Uniform and name tag
- Background check and drug screening
- Fingerprinting
- Physical examination
- CPR and HIV/AIDS certification
- NBCOT certification exam
- Florida licensure
Actual costs may change, so students should confirm current tuition and fees with Polk State before enrolling.
Students should review Polk State’s current tuition and fee information before applying.
Accreditation
The Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Students who pass the examination earn the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) credential and can pursue Florida licensure.
NBCOT Pass Rates
Polk State reports the following recent NBCOT board pass rates:
| Year | Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 100% |
| 2024 | 83% |
| 2023 | 80% |
| 3-Year Aggregate | 89.33% |
The program also reported a three-year graduation rate of 89.681% for the 2023–2025 period.
Can the Polk State OTA Program Be Completed Online?
No. Polk State’s OTA program is not an online program.
Some coursework uses an online-assisted format, but students must attend face-to-face classes, labs, and clinical fieldwork. The program requires a full-time commitment and is best suited to students who can regularly attend the North East Ridge Campus and travel to assigned fieldwork locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students does Polk State admit to the OTA program?
Polk State admits up to 24 OTA students each year. Two seats are reserved for eligible veterans, with unused veteran seats returning to the general applicant pool.
What GPA do I need for the Polk State OTA program?
Applicants need at least a 2.5 overall cumulative GPA and a 2.5 combined GPA in required prerequisite courses.
Do I need observation hours before applying?
Yes. Applicants must document at least 8 hours of observation or volunteer experience in an occupational therapy setting or qualifying employment experience in the field. Observation hours cannot be more than three years old when the student applies.
When can I apply?
The OTA program accepts applications from February 1 through May 31 for the cohort beginning the following spring.
How much does the Polk State OTA program cost?
Polk State estimates the complete program cost at approximately $10,600, including tuition and several additional program expenses.
Where is the OTA program offered?
The program is offered at Polk State College’s North East Ridge Campus in the Haines City/Davenport area.
Is Polk State’s OTA program accredited?
Yes. The program is accredited by ACOTE, which allows eligible graduates to take the NBCOT certification examination.