Florida offers Occupational Therapy Assistant programs at public colleges and private universities across the state. Most lead to an Associate of Science degree and combine classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical fieldwork.
Program costs and locations vary significantly. Florida residents can find lower-cost options at public colleges, while private universities offer additional campus locations and enrollment options.
Use the comparison below to find an OTA program based on location, program length, tuition, and school type.
Last updated: September 2026
Compare OTA Programs in Florida
| School | Location | Length | Estimated Tuition | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytona State College | Daytona Beach | 22 months | $7,576 | A.S. |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | 22 months | $7,900 | A.S. |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven | 24 months | $10,573 | A.S. |
| State College of Florida | Bradenton | 21 months | $11,008 | A.S. |
| AdventHealth University | Orlando | 24 months | $50,445* | A.S. |
| South University | Tampa | 24 months | $56,090 | A.S. |
| Keiser University | Multiple Florida campuses | 24 months | $80,813 | A.S. |
*Published costs are estimates and may not include the same expenses at every school. Tuition can also vary based on residency, fees, books, and other program costs. Check each school profile and official program website for current costs.
Florida OTA Schools
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach · 22 months · Associate of Science
Daytona State College offers a 74-credit, limited-access OTA program with classroom instruction, labs, and clinical fieldwork. Its public-college tuition makes it one of the lower-cost OTA options in Florida.
View the Daytona State College OTA program →
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville · 22 months · Associate in Science
FSCJ offers a 74-credit OTA program that combines general education, professional coursework, and fieldwork. The limited-access program has competitive admission requirements and is one of Florida’s lower-cost public OTA options.
Polk State College
Winter Haven · 24 months · Associate in Science
Polk State College offers a 74-credit OTA program with general education, occupational therapy coursework, labs, and fieldwork. Students learn to work with clients who have physical, developmental, and emotional challenges.
View the Polk State College OTA program →
State College of Florida
Bradenton · 21 months · Associate in Science
State College of Florida offers an OTA program in Bradenton that prepares students for work with clients across the lifespan. The program includes classroom instruction and clinical experience in areas such as pediatrics, physical disabilities, and mental health.
View the State College of Florida OTA program →
AdventHealth University
Orlando · 24 months · Associate of Science
AdventHealth University offers an OTA program that combines occupational therapy coursework with hands-on clinical experience. Students train to work with children, adults, older adults, and clients with physical or psychosocial needs.
View the AdventHealth University OTA program →
South University
Tampa · 24 months · Associate of Science
South University’s Tampa campus offers an OTA program focused on helping clients improve their ability to perform everyday activities. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with fieldwork and preparation for entry-level occupational therapy practice.
View the South University OTA program →
Keiser University
Multiple Florida campuses · 24 months · Associate of Science
Keiser University offers its OTA program at multiple campuses across Florida, giving it one of the largest geographic footprints of any OTA school in the state. Students complete occupational therapy coursework, labs, and clinical fieldwork.
Program availability and accreditation status can vary by campus, so students should review the campus-specific information before applying.
View Keiser University OTA locations and program details →
How Much Do OTA Programs Cost in Florida?
The cost of an Occupational Therapy Assistant program in Florida varies widely.
Florida’s public colleges generally offer the lowest published tuition for state residents. Based on our current program estimates, Daytona State College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Polk State College, and State College of Florida are among the lower-cost options.
Private OTA programs can cost considerably more.
| School | Estimated Tuition or Program Cost |
|---|---|
| Daytona State College | $7,576 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | $7,900 |
| Polk State College | $10,573 |
| State College of Florida | $11,008 |
| AdventHealth University | $50,445 |
| South University | $56,090 |
| Keiser University | $80,813 |
These figures should be used for comparison rather than as guaranteed total costs. Schools calculate and publish costs differently. Books, supplies, lab fees, background checks, uniforms, transportation, and other expenses may be additional.
Students should confirm current tuition and fees directly with a school before enrolling.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an OTA Program in Florida?
Most Florida OTA associate degree programs take approximately 21 to 24 months to complete.
Among the programs covered in this guide:
- State College of Florida — 21 months
- Daytona State College — 22 months
- Florida State College at Jacksonville — 22 months
- AdventHealth University — 24 months
- Polk State College — 24 months
- South University — 24 months
- Keiser University — 24 months
Actual completion time can depend on prerequisites, course sequencing, admission dates, and whether general education courses are completed before entering the professional OTA curriculum.
OTA Programs by Florida City
Your location can narrow your school choices considerably. Some parts of Florida have several OTA options, while others have only one nearby program.
Central Florida
South Florida
North Florida
Southwest Florida
Students who do not live close to an OTA program may need to consider commuting or relocating. OTA programs include in-person labs and clinical fieldwork, so they generally cannot be completed entirely online.
Accreditation and the NBCOT Exam
Accreditation is one of the most important factors to check when comparing OTA schools.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredits entry-level occupational therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant education programs.
Students educated in the United States must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program to be eligible for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant examination.
Passing the NBCOT exam is an important step toward becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and obtaining the required state license.
Accreditation status can change. Students should verify the current status of a program with ACOTE before enrolling.
How to Choose an OTA School in Florida
There is no single best OTA program for every student. A good choice depends on cost, location, admission requirements, program format, and your personal circumstances.
Start by comparing these factors:
- Accreditation: Confirm the program’s current ACOTE accreditation status.
- Tuition: Compare the full cost rather than the advertised cost per credit.
- Location: Consider commuting time and the travel required for fieldwork.
- Program length: Most Florida programs take about two years.
- Admissions: Some public programs use competitive or limited-access admission.
- Fieldwork: Review how and where clinical placements are completed.
- NBCOT outcomes: Look at each program’s certification exam results.
- School type: Public colleges may provide substantial tuition savings for Florida residents.
For many students, the best first step is to identify the programs within a reasonable commuting distance and then compare their cost and admission requirements.
Other Occupational Therapy Education Options
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College offers a Pre-Occupational Therapy Associate in Arts, rather than an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree.
The 60-credit A.A. is intended as a transfer pathway for students who plan to continue their occupational therapy education at a four-year institution. Completing this program does not qualify a graduate to take the NBCOT examination for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.
Learn more about the Miami Dade Pre-Occupational Therapy pathway →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many OTA schools are there in Florida?
Florida has OTA programs at public colleges and private universities, including schools with multiple campus locations. The exact number of available programs can change as campuses open, close, stop accepting students, or change accreditation status.
What is the cheapest OTA program in Florida?
Public colleges generally provide the lowest tuition for Florida residents. Based on the programs currently covered by OTAFlorida.com, Daytona State College and Florida State College at Jacksonville have some of the lowest estimated tuition costs.
Can I complete an OTA program online in Florida?
OTA education requires hands-on training and fieldwork. Some coursework may be available online or in a hybrid format, but students should expect in-person labs, clinical training, and fieldwork.
Do I need an associate degree to become an OTA?
Entry into the occupational therapy assistant profession can be through an associate or bachelor’s degree program. Most Florida programs currently covered by OTAFlorida.com award an associate degree.
Do OTA programs need to be accredited?
Students educated in the United States must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program to qualify for the NBCOT COTA certification examination. Students should check a program’s current accreditation status before enrolling.
What happens after I graduate from an OTA program?
Graduates of qualifying accredited OTA programs can apply to take the NBCOT certification examination. After passing the exam, graduates must also meet Florida’s requirements for occupational therapy assistant licensure before practicing in the state.