Daytona State College offers a 74-credit Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant program in Daytona Beach, Florida. The limited-access program combines occupational therapy coursework, labs, practicum experiences, and supervised clinical practice.
The program has trained occupational therapy assistants since 1994 and reports a 95% graduation rate across the three most recently published graduating classes (2022–2024).
OTA Program Quick Facts
| Degree | Associate in Science (A.S.) |
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Program Length | 22 months |
| Credits | 74 |
| Estimated In-State Tuition & Fees | $7,576 |
| Admission Type | Limited Access |
| Application Period | January 1–April 30 |
| Accreditation | ACOTE accredited through 2031 |
Program Overview
Daytona State College’s OTA program prepares students to work as entry-level occupational therapy assistants. Students learn how to help people improve their ability to participate in daily activities following an injury, illness, disability, or developmental challenge.
The 22-month, 74-credit program includes 16 general education credits and 58 credits of program-specific coursework. Students complete classroom and laboratory courses along with practicum and supervised clinical experiences.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs). State licensure is also required to practice.
Accreditation and Certification
The Daytona State College Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
The program’s current accreditation extends through 2031.
Graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT certification examination. Passing the exam allows graduates to earn the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) credential. Graduates must also meet state licensing requirements before practicing as an OTA.
Program Outcomes
Daytona State publishes graduation data for its OTA program. The three most recently reported classes produced a combined 95% graduation rate, with 66 of 69 enrolled students graduating.
| Graduation Year | Students Enrolled | Students Graduated | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25 | 25 | 100% |
| 2023 | 25 | 24 | 95% |
| 2024 | 19 | 17 | 90% |
| Three-Year Total | 69 | 66 | 95% |
Daytona State also reports a 65% FETPIP placement rate for 2023–2024 program completers.
Admission Requirements
Daytona State’s OTA program is a limited-access program, so meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Applicants must:
- Have a standard high school diploma or GED.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Meet with the OTA Assistant Chair for a pre-admission consultation.
- Meet required PERT placement levels unless exempt.
- Complete required prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better.
- Meet background check and drug screening requirements.
- Obtain required Basic Life Support (BLS) and AED certification.
- Meet eligibility requirements associated with the NBCOT examination and Florida OTA licensure.
Daytona State states that students should maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for competitive ranking consideration.
Prerequisite Courses
Applicants must earn a C or better in:
- OTH1001 – Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- ENC1101 – Introduction to Composition
- PSY1012 – General Psychology
- BSC1085C – Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
Applications for the OTA program are accepted January 1 through April 30.
Curriculum
The OTA degree requires 74 total credits, including 16 general education credits and 58 program-specific credits.
Rather than focusing only on classroom instruction, the curriculum moves students through occupational therapy theory, human movement, treatment techniques, physical and psychosocial conditions, documentation, clinical practice, and professional preparation.
Major OTA courses include:
- OTH1003 – Human Occupation Across the Lifespan
- OTH1006 – Documentation Through the Occupational Therapy Process
- OTH1014C – Analysis of Human Movement and Lab
- OTH1114C – Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques I and Lab
- OTH1800 – Occupational Therapy Practicum I
- OTH1802 – Occupational Therapy Practicum II
- OTH2261C – Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques II and Lab
- OTH2264C – Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques III and Lab
- OTH2300 – Psychosocial Occupational Therapy
- OTH2410 – Conditions in Occupational Therapy
- OTH2420C – Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction and Lab
- OTH2520C – Developmental Issues and Lab
- OTH2704C – Advanced Practice and Professionalism for OTA
The final portion of the program includes O.T. Supervised Clinical Practice I and II, followed by an occupational therapy clinical practice seminar.
Fieldwork and Clinical Training
Hands-on training is built throughout the Daytona State OTA curriculum.
Students begin with practicum courses and later complete two supervised clinical practice courses:
- OTH2840 – O.T. Supervised Clinical Practice I: 5 credits
- OTH2841 – O.T. Supervised Clinical Practice II: 5 credits
- OTH2933 – O.T. Seminar for Clinical Practice: 1 credit
Daytona State requires students to complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months after completing the academic portion of the program.
This combination of labs, practicum courses, and supervised clinical practice gives students experience applying occupational therapy skills before entering professional practice.
Tuition and Fees
For the 2026–2027 academic year, Daytona State charges Florida residents $102.38 per credit for Associate of Science programs.
At 74 credits, that puts base tuition and standard per-credit fees at approximately:
| Residency | Cost Per Credit | Estimated 74-Credit Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Resident | $102.38 | $7,576 |
| Non-Florida Resident | $398.65 | $29,500 |
These estimates are based on the published college-wide tuition and instructional fee schedule. Actual program costs can be higher because students may also pay for course-specific lab fees, textbooks, testing, background screening, immunizations, certification, graduation, and other required expenses.
Daytona State lists lab fees ranging from $2 to $1,506 depending on the course, so students should check the current program cost information before enrolling.
The OTA program is eligible for federal financial aid and Florida Bright Futures. Daytona State Foundation scholarships may also be available.
Career Outlook and Placement
Daytona State identifies Occupational Therapy Assistant as the primary occupation associated with the program.
The college’s current regional labor market data reports:
- Approximately 250 regional OTA jobs
- 17 projected annual openings
- $80,950 regional median annual wage
- $61,480 at the 10th percentile
- $104,870 at the 90th percentile
These figures reflect regional occupational data rather than guaranteed salaries for Daytona State graduates. Pay can vary based on employer, experience, setting, and location.
Daytona State also provides students with Career Services resources, including resume assistance, employment searches, interview preparation, and access to its student job board.
Is Daytona State’s OTA Program a Good Fit?
Best For
Daytona State may be a strong choice for students who:
- Want a public college OTA program in the Daytona Beach area.
- Qualify for Florida resident tuition.
- Want an established OTA program that has operated since 1994.
- Prefer a curriculum with labs, practicum courses, and supervised clinical training.
- Have a competitive academic record, including a GPA around 3.0 or higher.
- Value a program with a recently reported 95% three-year graduation rate.
Consider Another Program If
Another Florida OTA program may make more sense if you:
- Need a program outside the Daytona Beach area.
- Cannot accommodate the required clinical and hands-on training.
- Want a program without a limited-access admissions process.
- Need a different application schedule than Daytona State’s January 1–April 30 window.
Bottom Line
Daytona State College offers one of Florida’s established public-college pathways into occupational therapy assisting. The 74-credit, 22-month A.S. program combines occupational therapy coursework with labs, practicum experiences, and supervised clinical practice.
The biggest advantages are the approximately $7,576 in-state tuition and fees, ACOTE accreditation through 2031, and the program’s 95% three-year graduation rate.
Admission is competitive, however. Prospective students should complete the required prerequisites, aim for at least a 3.0 GPA for competitive ranking consideration, and prepare their application before the April 30 deadline.
FAQs
How long is the Daytona State OTA program?
Daytona State College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program takes approximately 22 months to complete. The Associate in Science degree requires 74 credits, including general education, OTA coursework, labs, practicum courses, and supervised clinical practice.
How much does the Daytona State OTA program cost?
For 2026–2027, Florida residents pay $102.38 per credit for associate degree programs. At 74 credits, this equals approximately $7,576 in tuition and standard per-credit fees. Additional costs may include lab fees, textbooks, background screening, immunizations, certification, and other program expenses.
What GPA do you need for Daytona State’s OTA program?
Daytona State states that students should maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for competitive ranking consideration. Applicants must also earn at least a C in required prerequisite courses.
When can I apply to Daytona State’s OTA program?
Daytona State accepts applications for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program from January 1 through April 30. The OTA program is limited access, so meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Is Daytona State’s OTA program accredited?
Yes. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), with its current accreditation extending through 2031. Graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam.