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Occupational Therapy Assistant

Fieldwork & OTA Information Sessions coming soon!

OTA helping older woman with cup.
What do Occupational Therapy Assistants do?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) to provide hands-on support to patients who are recovering from injuries, managing disabilities, or dealing with chronic health conditions.

Learn More 

OTA man helping patient with hand wrap.
Why Choose OTA as a career?

High Job Demand: As healthcare needs continue to grow, OTAs are in greater demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong growth in this field, offering job security and numerous employment opportunities.
OTA woman helping older man with rehabilitation therapy.
What courses do I take in order to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

Our courses begin with Introduction to Occupational Therapy:Theory and Practice; Introduction to Activity Analysis & Documentation; Biomechanics and Applied Kinesiology in Occupational Therapy...


logo-Occupational-Therapy-AssistantEmpower Your Future in Healthcare -
Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

The College of the Canyons proudly introduces the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, an Associates in Science degree. A thoroughly crafted curriculum to usher students into a rewarding career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs), under the guidance of Occupational Therapists, collaborate with people of all ages, aiding in their development, rehabilitation, enhancement, and preservation of essential life and work skills. They play a vital role in ensuring individuals can navigate daily tasks and professional demands effectively, particularly those facing physical, mental, or developmental challenges. The OTA program is set to commence in Fall 2025. This innovative program is your opportunity to make a substantial impact in the healthcare field. 



Pending approval from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has assigned the College a December 16, 2024, Candidacy Application due date. The College will be notified of the ACOTE Candidacy Decision in April 2025. At this time students may be notified of acceptance into the program and the first class will begin in August 2025. For more information about ACOTE please go to: https://acoteonline.org/

icon - yellowblue checkmarkCLICK HERE to view the list of Courses for: Occupational Therapy Assistant AS.

All required courses, along with the completion of both Level II fieldwork rotations, must be successfully finished within 12 months following the completion of the OTA academic preparation. This qualifies students to receive an Associate in Science Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, awarded by College of the Canyons. Please see the Commencement page of Campus Life and Student Engagement's website Campus Life & Student Engagement (canyons.edu) for more details.

The Board of Trustees of the Santa Clarita Community College District, as authorized by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, shall confer the degree of Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant upon students who have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements. Please refer to the college catalog Catalog (canyons.edu) for specific degree or certificate program requirements.

Graduation ceremonies Graduation (canyons.edu)  are held at the end of the Spring semester each year. Students who have submitted a petition to graduate for the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms are eligible to participate in the ceremony. You must submit a petition for an Associate Degree at the Counseling Office by the end of the fifth week of the term in which you plan to graduate.

You may track your program progress via the MAP tile in My Canyons https://my.canyons.edu/  to ensure you are completing your degree requirements. For further assistance, schedule an appointment with a counselor.

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Questions? Contact Program Director

Anna Hillary MA, MS, COTA/L, FE
OTAInfo@canyons.edu

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