State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) offers an Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant at its West Bradenton campus. The program requires 74 credit hours and can be completed in 21 months.
The OTA program is full-time and in person. Students complete general education courses, occupational therapy coursework, labs, and fieldwork experiences that prepare them for entry-level practice as occupational therapy assistants.
Program at a Glance
| Location | Bradenton, Florida |
| Degree | Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant |
| Program Length | 21 months |
| Credits | 74 |
| Format | Full-time, in person |
| Campus | West Bradenton |
| Florida Resident Tuition Rate | $102.48 per credit |
| Published Program Cost | $8,675.56* |
| Minimum GPA | 2.75 in required general education courses |
| Application Period | March 1–June 1 |
| Start Term | Fall |
| Accreditation | ACOTE |
| Fieldwork | Level I experiences + two eight-week Level II placements |
*SCF’s published 2025–2026 program estimate includes $5,146.56 in tuition plus estimated student fees, books and supplies, and loan fees. Costs are subject to change.
Program Overview
The State College of Florida OTA program prepares students to work under the supervision of occupational therapists and help people develop, improve, or regain skills needed for daily life.
Students receive training for working with clients across the lifespan and in practice areas such as pediatrics, physical disabilities, and mental health.
The program is offered only as a full-time, in-person program at SCF’s West Bradenton campus. Students can complete the degree in 21 months.
The curriculum includes four 16-week semesters, a four-week summer course, and a final semester devoted to two Level II fieldwork placements.
Admission Requirements
SCF’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is a limited-enrollment program. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Applicants must have a 2.75 GPA or higher in all general education courses required for the OTA degree. A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required for graduation.
The following prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better by the time of application:
- Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- College-level mathematics that meets the program requirement
- General Psychology
- Written Communication I
Additional general education requirements for the degree include Anatomy and Physiology II with lab, Humanities, Human Development: Life Span, and an approved American Government or U.S. History course.
Applicants must also submit the required SCF and OTA program application materials, transcripts, and a Degree Works “What If Analysis.” SCF charges a $35 nonrefundable OTA program application fee.
Qualified applicants are expected to participate in an interview as part of the selection process.
Application Period
SCF accepts applications to the OTA limited-enrollment program from March 1 through June 1.
Students are admitted once per year and begin the program in the fall semester.
Because enrollment is limited, completing the prerequisites does not guarantee admission. SCF gives priority to applicants who have completed the most general education courses required for the degree. If there are more qualified applicants than available seats, GPA in the required general education courses is used as a selection factor.
Curriculum
The SCF Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant requires 74 credits:
| Curriculum Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Academic Courses | 26 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant Courses | 48 |
| Total | 74 |
General education and science coursework includes Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Psychology, Human Development, Written Communication, mathematics, Humanities, and an approved government or U.S. history course.
The 48 credits of professional OTA coursework include courses such as:
- Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Occupational Therapy Skills and Techniques I and II
- Occupational Therapy During Growth Years
- Introduction to Human Disease
- Understanding Screening and Assessment in OT Practice
- Physical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy
- Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
- Leadership and Management
- Level I Fieldwork
- Level II Fieldwork
Students must earn at least a C in all courses applied to the OTA degree and follow the required course sequence to progress through the program.
Students can review individual courses and credit requirements in the SCF Occupational Therapy Assistant catalog.
Fieldwork and Hands-On Training
Fieldwork is integrated throughout the SCF OTA curriculum.
Students complete three Level I fieldwork courses while progressing through their occupational therapy coursework. These experiences give students opportunities to connect classroom instruction with occupational therapy practice.
After completing the classroom portion of the program, students spend their final semester completing two eight-week Level II fieldwork placements.
Students must successfully complete both Level II experiences and demonstrate entry-level competency. All Level II fieldwork must be completed within 18 months after completing the academic portion of the OTA curriculum.
Students should also plan for additional requirements associated with clinical placements, including immunizations, CPR certification, background screening, and drug screening.
Tuition and Program Cost
SCF lists an in-state tuition rate of $102.48 per credit hour for Florida residents and $405.22 per credit hour for non-Florida residents.
More useful for prospective Florida students, however, is SCF’s published cost estimate specifically for the OTA program.
| Estimated 2025–2026 OTA Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,146.56 |
| Student Fees | $1,827 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,630 |
| Loan Fees | $72 |
| Estimated Total | $8,675.56 |
These figures are estimates and are subject to change. SCF notes that its student-fee estimate includes costs such as academic course fees, access fees, credentialing fees, graduation fees, professional membership fees, and NBCOT exam preparation fees.
The estimate does not represent a student’s complete cost of attendance. Housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses can increase the total cost of earning the degree.
Students should review SCF’s current tuition and cost of attendance information before enrolling.
Accreditation and Certification
The State College of Florida Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Graduates of the accredited program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination for occupational therapy assistants.
Graduates who pass the examination earn the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) credential.
Occupational therapy assistants must also meet state licensure requirements before practicing. SCF states that its OTA curriculum meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in Florida but has not determined whether the program meets requirements in other states.
Program Outcomes
State College of Florida publishes graduation data for its OTA program.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering | Non-Academic Withdrawals | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | 3 | 19 | 95% |
| 2025 | 23 | 2 | 17 | 81% |
| 2026 | 14 | 2 | 9 | 75% |
| 2024–2026 Total | 60 | 7 | 45 | 84% |
SCF calculates its graduation rate using students who graduate on time or within 150% of the expected program length while excluding certain withdrawals unrelated to academic or clinical performance.
What Stands Out About State College of Florida’s OTA Program
Several features make SCF worth considering for students comparing occupational therapy assistant programs in Florida:
- 21-month completion: Students can complete the 74-credit associate degree in less than two years.
- Low published program cost: SCF estimates the 2025–2026 cost at $8,675.56 for Florida residents, including tuition, student fees, books and supplies, and loan fees.
- Extensive fieldwork: Students complete three Level I fieldwork courses followed by two eight-week Level II placements.
- Published outcomes: SCF reports an 84% graduation rate across its 2024–2026 cohorts.
- ACOTE accreditation: Graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT certification examination.
One factor to consider is the program’s schedule. SCF offers the OTA degree only on a full-time, in-person basis at the West Bradenton campus. Students should expect a structured schedule that includes classroom courses, labs, and fieldwork.
Admission is also limited. Completing the required prerequisite courses and meeting the 2.75 GPA requirement does not guarantee a seat in the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the State College of Florida OTA program online?
No. SCF offers its Occupational Therapy Assistant program only as a full-time, in-person program at the West Bradenton campus.
Students do use Canvas for course materials, assignments, communication, and online testing, but the OTA degree itself is not offered as an online program.
How long is the SCF OTA program?
The State College of Florida OTA program takes approximately 21 months to complete and requires 74 credits.
The schedule includes four 16-week semesters, a four-week summer course, and a final semester with two Level II fieldwork placements.
What GPA do I need for the SCF OTA program?
Applicants need at least a 2.75 GPA in the general education courses required for the OTA degree.
Students must also maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 for graduation and earn at least a C in courses applied to the OTA degree.
How much does the SCF OTA program cost?
SCF publishes an estimated 2025–2026 total program cost of $8,675.56 for Florida residents.
That estimate includes $5,146.56 in tuition plus student fees, books and supplies, and loan fees. It does not include living expenses, transportation, and other personal costs.
When can I apply to the SCF OTA program?
SCF accepts applications to the OTA limited-enrollment program from March 1 through June 1.
The program admits one cohort each year for a fall start.
What prerequisites are required for the SCF OTA program?
Applicants must complete Anatomy and Physiology I with lab, an approved college-level mathematics course, General Psychology, and Written Communication I before applying.
Each prerequisite must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Does the SCF OTA program include fieldwork?
Yes. Students complete three Level I fieldwork courses during the program followed by two eight-week Level II fieldwork experiences during the final semester.
Is the State College of Florida OTA program accredited?
Yes. SCF’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by ACOTE. Graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT certification examination for occupational therapy assistants.