Program Overview
Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree
City: Daytona Beach
Length: 22 months
Tuition: $7,576
Website: https://www.daytonastate.edu/academic-departments/college-of-health-and-public-services/school-of-health-careers/occupational-therapy-assistant.html
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Daytona State College (DSC) is a 22-month, limited-access associate degree program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in occupational therapy.
The 74-credit-hour program provides students with the necessary knowledge and hands-on experience to assist individuals in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and schools.
Accreditation and Certification
The OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) through 2031.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, which is required to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
Most states, including Florida, require licensure to practice, which is based on NBCOT exam results.
Program Outcomes
DSC’s OTA program has a three-year graduation rate of 85%, with strong NBCOT pass rates. Employment opportunities are high, with graduates finding work in various healthcare settings.
Admission Requirements and Acceptance Rate
The OTA program is competitive, with only 24 students admitted annually. Applications are accepted from January 1 to April 30, and selections are made in May.
Admission requirements include:
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a ‘C’ or better:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab (BSC1085C)
- Introduction to Composition (ENC1101)
- General Psychology (PSY1012)
- Introduction to Occupational Therapy (OTH1001)
- Completion of math requirements through MAT1033
- Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) and AED certification from the American Heart Association or the Red Cross.
- Drug screening and background check.
- High school diploma or GED and minimum 18 years of age.
Students with a 3.0 GPA or higher in prerequisite courses and completed corequisite courses receive priority consideration.
Curriculum
The 74-credit curriculum includes classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical training.
Key topics include:
OTH1001 – Introduction to Occupational Therapy
Introduces students to the history, philosophy, and core concepts of occupational therapy. Covers clinical settings, roles of OT personnel, and basic medical terminology.
OTH1003 – Human Occupation Across the Lifespan
Explores the role of meaningful activities across different life stages. Examines the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, service models, and occupation-based interventions.
OTH1006 – Documentation Through the Occupational Therapy Process
Covers OT documentation methods, including intervention notes, screening results, goal writing, and discharge planning. Addresses legal, ethical, and regulatory documentation standards.
OTH1014C – Analysis of Human Movement and Lab
Focuses on human motion and its impact on occupational performance. Topics include skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems, posture, and body mechanics.
OTH1114C – Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques I and Lab
Introduces fundamental OT treatment techniques, patient care skills, cultural considerations, communication strategies, and occupational analysis.
OTH1800 – Occupational Therapy Practicum I
Provides hands-on fieldwork experience in applying basic OT principles. Students gain supervised clinical exposure integrated with coursework.
OTH1802 – Occupational Therapy Practicum II
Students refine observation, evaluation, and treatment planning skills under professional supervision, preparing for entry-level OTA roles.
OTH2261C – Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques II and Lab
Covers evaluation and intervention techniques, activity analysis, ADL training, mobility aids, and treatment strategies in diverse OT practice settings.
OTH2264C – Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques III and Lab
Focuses on advanced OT interventions, including assistive technology, orthotics, prosthetics, family training, and community-based programming.
OTH2300 – Psychosocial Occupational Therapy
Explores mental health conditions, OT assessments, intervention strategies, and documentation for psychosocial dysfunctions. Includes lab practice.
OTH2410 – Conditions in Occupational Therapy
Examines the causes, diagnosis, medical management, and functional impact of various diseases and injuries on occupational performance.
OTH2420C – Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction and Lab
Provides knowledge of physical disabilities, evaluation techniques, intervention planning, and documentation. Labs include hands-on practice.
OTH2520C – Developmental Issues and Lab
Focuses on pediatric OT, covering developmental milestones, pediatric diagnoses, intervention techniques, and legal considerations.
OTH2704C – Advanced Practice and Professionalism for OTA
Prepares students for full-time fieldwork with clinical scenarios, professional ethics, teamwork, and service management strategies.
OTH2840 – O.T. Supervised Clinical Practice I
Full-time, eight-week clinical fieldwork where students apply OT skills under licensed practitioner supervision.
OTH2841 – O.T. Supervised Clinical Practice II
A second eight-week fieldwork experience focusing on a different diagnostic group from OTH2840.
OTH2933 – O.T. Seminar for Clinical Practice
Covers transition to professional practice, ethics, job search strategies, licensing, and preparation for the National Certification Exam.
More curriculum information here:
Hands-On Training
Students gain real-world experience through hands-on labs and fieldwork, ensuring they develop critical clinical skills before graduation.
Tuition and Fees
For Florida residents, tuition is $102.38 per credit hour, bringing the total program tuition to approximately $7,576.
Non-residents pay $398.65 per credit hour, totaling $29,500. Additional costs include:
- Lab fees: $435-$498
- Textbooks: $1,000
- Background screening: $180
- Licensure exam fees: $700
- CPR certification and immunizations: $100+
- Program shirts and name tags: $45
Financial aid, scholarships, and flexible payment plans are available.
Career Support and Job Placement
While DSC does not guarantee job placement, it offers career counseling, resume workshops, and job search assistance.
The high demand for occupational therapy assistants provides strong employment prospects.
Fieldwork and Clinical Rotations
Students complete two Level II clinical fieldwork rotations, each lasting 16 weeks, in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and pediatric agencies.
Online Availability
The OTA program is not available online and requires in-person attendance for coursework, labs, and clinical fieldwork.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I transfer credits from other schools into the OTA program?
Yes, general education credits may be transferred from accredited institutions. However, OTA-specific coursework is not automatically accepted. Students transferring from another OTA program should consult the program chair.
What hands-on experiences or lab facilities does the program provide for skill development?
Students engage in lab-based learning and clinical practicum courses, gaining direct patient care experience in real-world healthcare settings.
How competitive is the application process, and what can I do to improve my chances of acceptance?
The program is highly competitive, with only 24 students accepted per year. To improve your chances:
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in prerequisite courses.
- Complete all corequisite courses before applying.
- Gain volunteer or job shadowing experience in occupational therapy.
- Apply early, as admissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Does the program offer job placement assistance or career services after graduation?
Yes, DSC offers career counseling, job search resources, and resume-building workshops, though job placement is not guaranteed.
What types of fieldwork or clinical rotations are required, and where do they take place?
Students complete two Level II clinical fieldwork rotations, each lasting 16 weeks, in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.