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Dear Occupational Therapy Assistant Candidate:

Thank you for your interest in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) programs of 51�Թ��� at Ashtabula and East Liverpool.

The 2026 application opens February 15 and closes April 30, 2026 for both campuses. The program begins August 2026.

This Associate of Applied Science degree is offered in these convenient locations and formats:

Ashtabula Campus:

• Hybrid Full-Time (Graduation date May 2028)
• Hybrid Flex Part-Time (Graduation date May 2029)

East Liverpool Campus:

• Traditional In-Person Full-Time (Graduation date May 2028)
• Traditional In-Person Flex-Time (Graduation date May 2029)

Successful completion of this program prepares you to be eligible to practice Occupational Therapy anywhere in the country, in various settings, and with many different types of patients. As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you will enjoy a rewarding career that enables you to change your life while helping to improve the lives of many people.

To assist in learning about Occupational Therapy as a career and preparing for our OTA Program, the following information is included in this packet:

• Occupational Therapy as a career and OTA responsibilities, functions, and benefits
• Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at 51�Թ���
  • Application procedures and admissions process
  • Selection process
  • List of program courses

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an advisor, please contact:

Ashtabula Campus: Theresa Hootman, Allied Health Administrative Clerk 440-964-4252, thootma1@kent.edu or click .
East Liverpool Campus: Nina Sullivan, AFWC and Program Advisor 330-382-7457, nssulliv@kent.edu or click .

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational therapy is a health rehabilitation profession that uses activities/occupations as treatment to help people of all ages perform the skills they need to live as independently as possible. Certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA’s) assist with the evaluation and treatment of individuals with or at risk for injuries, illnesses, cognitive impairments, psychosocial dysfunctions, mental illness, developmental or learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or other disorders or conditions. Under the supervision of registered occupational therapists (OTRs), COTA’s: 

1. contribute to the evaluation process through the administration of assessments (standardized and non-standardized) for which they have established competency; and
2. implement therapeutic interventions which use purposeful activity and occupations for developing, improving, sustaining, or restoring function in areas of performance and wellness including, but not limited to, daily living skills, work performance, educational performance skills, and leisure capacities.

The client factors and performance skills are the elements of performance in which COTA’s intervene for the purpose of attaining an individual’s highest level of functional independence within the appropriate environmental context. Under the supervision of an OTR, COTA’s also assist in the design, development, adaptation, application, or training in the use of assistive technology devices and orthotic devices; training in the use of prosthetic devices; application of physical agent modalities; and the adaptation of environments and processes to enhance functional performance.

Therapists typically work during regular daytime hours, but evening, early morning, and weekend hours are available in some settings. Therapists can choose between full-time, part-time, or on-call/per diem schedules. School-based therapists often enjoy having summers off. Other types of therapy offer even more flexibility, such as home health therapy, which allows therapists to schedule patient treatments at his or her discretion.

CAREER INFORMATION

Upon successful completion of the program, entry-level occupational therapy assistants are qualified to:

1. Plan and carry out occupational therapy intervention programs, with appropriate supervision, to prevent deficits and to maintain or improve function in daily living skills and in underlying client factors, e.g., muscle strength, range of motion, coordination, cognition, and visual-spatial perceptions.
2. Participate in managing Occupational Therapy services.
3. Direct activity programs.
4. Incorporate values and attitudes congruent with the profession's standards and ethics.

The job market for OTA’s continues to have an excellent outlook. The U. S. Department of Labor states that the OTA job outlook shows growth much faster than average and projects that from 2024- 2034 the need for OTAs will increase by 18% with a projected need for an additional 9,600 OTA’s (). The national median OTA salary for 2024 is reported at $66,050. The Ohio median salary for an OTA is $65,170.

Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in both traditional and non-traditional settings including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, home health agencies, and behavioral health facilities.

Graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree may advance their career by attending other schools to receive a Master or Doctorate Degree in Occupational Therapy, including weekend or distance learning programs. A complete listing may be found at .

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions describe required skills and abilities for completion of the OTA program and to work as a generalist occupational therapy assistant. This list is a summary of essential functions students are required to meet throughout program coursework and fieldwork experiences. Additional information can be found at

Motor Capabilities:

1. Move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.
2. Transfer patients who may require physical assistance.
3. Guard and assist patients with ambulation, dressing, grooming, and feeding tasks.
4. Perform therapeutic techniques, including applying resistance during exercise.
5. Lift and carry up to 50 pounds and exert up to 100 pounds of force (push/pull).
6. Squat, crawl, bend/stoop, reach above shoulder level, kneel, use standing balance, and climb stairs.
7. Use hands repetitively; use manual dexterity.
8. Adjust, apply, and clean therapeutic equipment.
9. Perform CPR.
10. Travel to and from academic and clinical sites.
11. In the average clinical day, students sit 1-2 hours, stand 6-7 hours, and travel 1-3 hours.

Sensory Capabilities:

1. Convey verbal and manual instruction.
2. Assess patient’s posture and response to treatment.
3. Respond in a timely manner to a timer, alarm, or cries for help.
4. Monitor vital signs, changes in patient status, skin changes, etc.
5. Auditory, visual, and tactile abilities sufficient to assess patient status and perform treatments.

Communication Abilities:

1. Communicate effectively, concisely, and accurately in English with patients, families, and other healthcare providers; both verbal and written. (Examples: explain treatment procedures, teach patients and caregivers, document in charts.)
2. Effectively adapt communication for an intended audience.
3. Interact and establish rapport with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds, treating all fairly and equally.
4. Assume the role of a healthcare team member.
5. Function effectively under supervision.

Problem Solving Abilities:

1. Function effectively under stress.
2. Respond appropriately to emergencies.
3. Adhere to infection control procedures.
4. Demonstrate problem-solving skills in patient care. (Measure, calculate, reason, prioritize and synthesize data.)
5. Use sound judgment and safety precautions.
6. Address questions and/or problems to the appropriate person at the appropriate times.
7. Organize and prioritize job tasks.
8. Follow policies and procedures required by clinical and academic settings.
9. Develop skills to choose appropriate treatment ideas to fit patient needs and capabilities.

Behavior Abilities

1. Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with site policies and applicable laws.
2. Demonstrate self-control, keeping emotions in check and controlling anger even in difficult situations.
3. Take constructive criticism and apply it to improve behavior and skills.
4. Manage time effectively.
5. Demonstrate conduct always reflecting professional and ethical behavior.
6. Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, dependability, and fulfillment of obligations.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT PROGRAM

The OTA Program at 51�Թ��� prepares students to become an OTA in today’s healthcare field. The program includes Occupational Therapy and related classes and fieldwork rotation experiences in varied therapy settings.

Degree

An Associate of Applied Science Degree is granted following the successful completion of the program requirements. Program graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination. Upon successful completion of the exam and licensure, graduates will be qualified to begin practicing as an OTA.

Accreditation

The occupational therapy assistant programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is   

Credentialing

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Cohorts

Ashtabula campus offers:

• Hybrid Format, Full-time Program:
  • lecture content presented online asynchronously
  • labs completed on campus on just one day per week
  • fieldwork experiences in a wide range of settings and geographical locations
  • complete technical study in 5 semesters
• Hybrid Format, Flex Part-time Program: (students may choose this option prior to or during the second semester of technical study)
  • same convenient hybrid program with labs one day week
  • allows busy students to continue through the program at a slower pace of three classes per semester (6-8 credits)
  • complete technical study in three years

East Liverpool campus offers:

• Traditional Format, Full-time Program
  • lecture and lab content presented on campus in traditional format
  • fieldwork experiences in a wide range of settings and geographical locations
  • complete technical study in 5 semesters
• Traditional Format, Flex Part-time Program:
  • lecture and lab content presented on campus in traditional format.
  • fieldwork experiences in a wide range of settings and locations
  • allows busy students to continue through the program at a slower pace of three classes per semester (6-8 credits)
  • complete technical study in three years

Transfer Students

Students may take open enrollment (non-OTA) courses at other institutions. More transfer credit information can be found at Credit Transfer.

Student Expectations

The OTA program is an intensive program. Before applying, each student should give careful consideration regarding their ability to meet all program requirements. Considerations include:

• Ability to work online independently and meet regular course deadlines.
• Travel and regular attendance at on-campus classes and labs.
• Schedule flexibility for completing required fieldwork hours.
• Availability for 25 or more hours per week of class preparation and study, outside of lab and fieldwork (12-15 hours for part-time track).

Many students work part-time while enrolled in the program, but this is dependent upon the flexibility of the student’s job, the number of courses that the student has completed prior to entering the program, and the semester schedule. Please discuss with the OTA advisor if you plan to work while in the OTA Program.

All students accepted into the program are required to complete state and federal background checks prior to attending fieldwork experiences. Felony convictions may result in the following:

• Fieldwork sites may refuse admission to OTA students with a conviction. If a student is unable to complete the clinical portions of the program, he/she will be unable to complete the OTA program.
• OTA graduates with convictions may be denied the opportunity to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam. OTA applicants with convictions are referred to for more information.
• OTA graduates with convictions may be denied permission to obtain a license to practice. OTA applicants are referred to the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board at for more information.

Important note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

For additional counseling, contact the OTA program advisor.

HYBRID PROGRAM RESOURCES

Technology Requirements

Students in the OTA Program must have access to sufficient technology for successful participation. The Online Learning Page at KSU provides detailed information on technology requirements (/onlinelearning). PLEASE NOTE: Mobile Devices are not recommended for some program applications, such as exams.

Technology Guidebook

The Division of Information Technology and the KSU Tech Guide are your resources for answers to your tech questions and can be found HERE.

Before you Get to Campus:

• Tech Requirements
• Logging into FlashLine and setting up your student email
• Using KSUMobile and Flash ALERTS Emergency Notification System

On Campus:

• 24/7 Tech Support
• Free and Discounted Software
• Computer labs and printing on campus
• Free Training Courses

ADMISSION PROCESS

Steps to APPLY to the OTA Program:

1. Apply to 51�Թ��� HERE
2. Demonstrate college readiness. 51�Թ��� uses a variety of ways to assess college readiness that include high school GPA, placement testing, prior college credits and/or standardized test scores. Students must complete ALL prescribed developmental course work with a “C” or better by the beginning of the OTA program. Applicants may be “provisionally accepted” to the OTA program if enrolled in developmental courses and on track to pass with “C” or better in the semester prior to entrance/acceptance to the program.
   Ashtabula campus: more information HERE
   East Liverpool campus: more information HERE
3. Declare the OTA major (contact your advisor or see HERE)
4. Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA from the most recent academic experience of six credit hours or more
5. Attendance at an Information Session or meeting with an advisor for the OTA Program is not required but highly recommended. To schedule an appointment:
   Ashtabula campus: contact Theresa Hootman at thootma1@kent.edu or click .
   East Liverpool campus: contact Nina Sullivan at nssulliv@kent.edu or click .
6. Submit the online OTA Program Technical Study Application. Applications open for either location on February 15^th. THIS IS A SEPARATE APPLICATION FROM THE APPLICATION TO THE UNIVERSITY. Applications open approximately two months prior to the deadline. Apply HERE.
7. Applicants must successfully complete BSCI 11010—Anatomy and Physiology I for Allied Health or equivalent course by the end of the summer semester to be eligible to start the technical part of the program in the fall. Applicants may be “provisionally accepted” to the OTA program if enrolled in A&P I in the summer and on track to pass with “C” or better in the semester prior to entrance/acceptance to the program.

SELECTION PROCESS

The OTA Programs at each campus admit one new cohort of students per year. The Ashtabula campus accepts up to 25 students for the hybrid full-time and part-time tracks. The East Liverpool campus accepts up to 25 students for the traditional full-time and part-time tracks. If there are more qualified applicants than available student slots, applicants will be ranked on a point scale. Points are assigned based on grade point average (GPA), writing sample, and completion of open enrollment courses. The candidates with the highest points will be accepted.

Applicants who have not met all program admission requirements (e.g., current enrollment in BSCI 11010 or developmental courses) may be provisionally accepted, pending successful completion (C or better grade) of the courses by the end of the semester. Provisionally accepted students who do not meet all program admission requirements at the conclusion of the semester prior to the start of technical study will not be eligible to start the program.

Applicants will be notified through their kent.edu email of acceptance status within one month of the application deadline. Information regarding the  election results will not be given over the phone. Students may only apply to the OTA program two times.

The Affirmative Action Plan for 51�Թ��� is a federally required report, and the information is used to evaluate the progress toward major workforce placement goals for each division and each campus. Placement goals serve as management tools to ensure all qualified applicants and employees receive equal opportunity in areas of recruitment, selection, advancement, compensation, training and attainment of equal employment opportunities with minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities.

For more information, contact the Office of Compliance, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action (EOAA) at 330-672-2038 or compliance_equalopp@kent.edu 

TUITION AND FEES

TUITION/MISCELLANEOUS FEES:

51�Թ��� Regional Campus tuition and fees are published here: /bursar/tuition-and-fees Withdrawal and refund schedules may be found HERE.

OTA students also incur the following costs and fees:

• books: usually average $350 per semester
• program fees: approximately $110 per semester (includes course supplies and fees, AOTA 1-year membership, fieldwork management system student fee, KSU student nametag, BCI/FBI fingerprinting and background checks, program uniform)
• current physical examination and immunizations
• CPR certification
• clinical education expenses (travel, uniform, name tag and meals)
• licensure fees to national and state licensing board (following graduation)

HOUSING & TRAVEL

There is no on-campus housing available on the 51�Թ��� Ashtabula and East Liverpool campuses. However, there are students who move to the campus area to complete their education. Please contact the program director for more information about housing and travel options.

FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS

Information on general financial aid and scholarships is available from the Office of Financial Aid at each campus:

Ashtabula campus: website: /ashtabula/aid email: ashtabulafinancialaid@kent.edu phone 440-964-4213
East Liverpool campus: website: /columbiana/financial-aid email: ballison@kent.edu phone: 330-385-3805.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online at .

51�Թ��� OTA Program Suggested sequence of courses for completing the program in two years.

For a printable copy (PDF) of this information packet please contact: Nina Sullivan, BS, COTA/L, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator | nssulliv@kent.edu | 330-382-7457 or Theresa Hootman, Allied Health Administrative Clerk | thootma1@kent.edu | 440-964-4252