Occupational Therapy Assistant is an Associate Degree program offered by Keiser University in Fort Myers, FL. The program takes 2 Years to complete, with tuition of $12,908 per semester.
Program Overview
Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant prepares you for a rewarding career helping people gain the skills they need for independent daily living. Our occupational therapy education emphasizes the therapeutic use of meaningful activities including self-care, work, and play/leisure pursuits to maximize independent function, enhance human growth and development, prevent disability, and maintain health.
The OTA program teaches you to implement intervention strategies that may include adaptations to a task or environment, or compensatory approaches to help clients achieve maximum independence. You’ll learn to work collaboratively with occupational therapists, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to develop and implement treatment plans that address each client’s unique needs.
Program Mission
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program’s mission is to prepare and empower its students to be compassionate and competent healthcare professionals. Their education at Keiser University will prepare them to develop clinical reasoning skills, foster professionalism, and advocate for the well-being and quality of life of all community populations.
Program Goals
Professional Attributes – Upholding occupational therapy’s professional standards and ethical responsibilities while engaging in life-long learning for the safe provision of quality occupational therapy services
Occupation-Centered and Client-Centered Care – Empirically supported, occupation-centered, client centered strategies and approaches that contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, groups, and populations.
Collaboration and Advocacy – Working and advocating for the communities served, while acknowledging the influence of constantly changing environmental factors.
Practice Competency – Clinical decision-making for prioritizing goals and implementing safe intervention plans based on client responses, under the supervision of the OT.
Prerequisites for Major Courses
- Satisfactory background check and drug screening ( ). 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 graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
- Completion of general education courses with a minimum grade of ―”C” for each course. Successful completion of the following prerequisite courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Intermediate Algebra and Introduction to Psychology.
- Cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Must earn a minimum of an 18 on the University Entrance Exam.
Program Highlights
The occupational therapy assistant program at Keiser University combines rigorous academic coursework with extensive hands-on clinical training. Occupational therapy students benefit from small class sizes that allow for personalized attention from the program director, academic coordinator, and OTA faculty members.
Clinical courses give you opportunities to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Level II fieldwork experiences provide intensive supervised practice in various settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and community agencies. The academic fieldwork coordinator works closely with clinical sites to ensure quality learning experiences.
Estimated Student Costs
Required and Optional Fees for Programs: Fees are costs set by the university in addition to tuition (and room and board, if applicable). These fees may be required for your program or optional depending on the courses you take, and they support the costs associated with completing an approved program of study. Fees are defined in the or supplement and listed on the school’s billing statement or invoice. Fees that are optional will not be paid using GI Bill® benefits and will be the responsibility of the student choosing these additional options. For additional guidance, please see your Program Director or Admissions Counselor.
Programs Outcomes
- to review OTA programmatic outcomes.
NBCOT®
Eligibility to take the NBCOT exam and apply for licensure requires graduation from an accredited associate level occupational therapy program. Keiser University OTA program pass rate outcomes on the certification exam are available at . When you get to the site, select ‘Florida’ for the state, ‘OTA Level Programs’ for the program type, and choose the year you would like to view the results for.
State Licensure Disclosure
Accreditation Status
to see Keiser University OTA Program Performance Data on the NBCOT® National Certification Examination. When you get to the site, select ‘Florida’ for the state and ‘OTA Level Program’ for the program type and choose the year you’d like to view the results for.
Keiser University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program, Daytona, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Pembroke Pines, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach campuses are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). ACOTE can be reached at the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, American Occupational Therapy Association: 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814; ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611; website: .
What sets this Program apart
Gain Job-Ready Skills for an Occupational Therapy Career
- Assessment and treatment planning
- Intervention strategies for physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges
- Adaptation techniques for tasks and environments
- Documentation and communication with healthcare teams
- Professional reasoning and clinical decision-making
- Safety protocols and infection control
- Pediatric and geriatric specialty skills
- Assistive technology and adaptive equipment use
Keiser University offers career-focused degree programs designed to support working adults, recent high school graduates, career changers, military veterans, and upskillers seeking career advancement. With on-campus learning options at multiple Florida locations, experienced faculty, and comprehensive student support, Keiser helps learners achieve their personal and professional goals.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission includes Keiser University's general requirements plus any program-specific requirements listed below, followed by the university’s application process.
General Requirements
- High School Diploma or GEDVerification of high school graduation (transcript, diploma, etc.), verification of GED completion (GED scores or GED diploma), or proof of graduation from a foreign institution…
- Entrance ExaminationApplicants must take Keiser University’s entrance examination or provide results of the SAT, ACT or ASVAB. The University requires a combined score of 910 on the SAT, a composite…
- Application and Registration FeesA one-time $55 application fee and a one-time $145 registration fee are charged upon enrollment.
- FAFSA (for Financial Aid)Students seeking financial aid complete the FAFSA using Keiser University’s federal school code, 015159.
- Background CheckApplicants must complete a background check.
- Prerequisite CourseworkCompletion of all general education coursework with a minimum grade of "C" for each course, including successful completion of BSC2085C, BSC2086C, MAT1033 and PSY1012.
- Minimum Grade AverageA cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required.
- Entrance Exam Minimum ScoreApplicants must earn a minimum of 18 on the University Entrance Exam.
Application Process
- 1Contact an Admissions CounselorContact one of Keiser University’s admissions counselors to talk through the program and your options.
- 2Attend an Open House or Campus VisitAttend an open house or plan a campus visit. Applicants are encouraged to visit the University in person.
- 3Meet With Your Admissions CounselorSchedule a convenient time to meet with your admissions counselor to determine if Keiser University is right for you.
- 4Submit an ApplicationSubmit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. Applications for winter, spring or fall semesters should be made as early as possible, as these entry dates are normally the time of greatest enrollment.Apply Now
Program Schedule
Keiser University students take one class at a time. Keiser University term lengths are 4-week, 8-week and 16-week.
Keiser University publishes this program as approximately 24 months and 83 credit hours.
Keiser University lists this program as available on campus.
Tuition is charged per 16-week semester according to the credit hours scheduled.
- October 26th, 2026
- November 23rd, 2026
- January 11th, 2027
- February 08th, 2027
- March 08th, 2027
- April 05th, 2027
- May 10th, 2027
- June 07th, 2027
- July 05th, 2027
- August 02nd, 2027
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Keiser University charges tuition per 16-week semester according to the number of credit hours scheduled, not per program. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.
| Semester credit load | Tuition per semester |
|---|---|
| Full time (12 to 17.99 credits) | $12,908.00 |
| Three-quarter time (9 to 11.99 credits) | $9,681.00 |
| Half time (6 to 8.99 credits) | $6,454.00 |
| Less than half time (0 to 5.99 credits) | $3,227.00 |
| Full time + (18 to 24 credits, approval required) | $16,135.00 |
Required fees
- Application fee — $55.00, one time on enrollment
- Registration fee — $145.00, one time on enrollment
- Education fee — $980.00 per semester, for programmatic participation and facilities resources
- Annual health insurance plan — $2,169.00 where applicable to allied health programs, waived with proof of coverage by a qualified plan
Other fees are charged per occurrence: withdrawal $100.00, re-entry $150.00, transcript $5.00, student ID replacement $15.00, returned check $35.00, late payment $10.00 and library late fee $10.00. Clinical, licensure, professional skill development and technical fees vary by program.
Financial aid
Keiser University participates in federal Title IV financial aid. Students seeking aid complete the FAFSA using the university’s federal school code, 015159.
Curriculum
The curriculum combines general education with a professional OTA core covering the foundations of occupational therapy, human development across the lifespan, kinesiology, and intervention for physical, neurological, pediatric, geriatric, and psychosocial conditions, followed by supervised fieldwork. A representative course sequence is shown below.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) can pursue entry-level positions in diverse healthcare settings. After successful completion of the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, you can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, home health agencies, and community programs.
Career Pathways for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Pediatric occupational therapy assistant in schools and clinics
- Rehabilitation specialist in hospitals and acute care
- Geriatric therapy assistant in skilled nursing facilities
- Mental health occupational therapy assistant
- Hand therapy assistant
- Home health occupational therapy assistant
- Community-based therapy assistant for developmental disabilities
- School-based therapy assistant supporting students with special needs
What to expect as a Keiser University student
How to Apply
- Submit your online application.
- Speak with an admissions advisor.
- Provide transcripts or transfer credits.
- Enroll and choose your start date.
Keiser University’s occupational therapy assistant program prepares you for a meaningful career helping people achieve independence and improve their quality of life. With accredited occupational therapy education, experienced OTA faculty, and extensive clinical training, you’ll gain the skills and credentials needed to make a lasting impact in the occupational therapy profession. Our graduates work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and community programs across Florida and beyond.
School Information
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist and doctorate degrees.
This program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association at the following campuses: Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Pembroke Pines, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach.
On 5 April 2025 ACOTE granted the Fort Lauderdale campus a status of Probationary Accreditation—Inactive. That program is not currently enrolling new students and does not plan to; graduates remain eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination.
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Credits earned toward a respected credential
Accreditations
Testimonials
Top Questions About Earning an Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree
School Information
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist and doctorate degrees.
This program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association at the following campuses: Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Pembroke Pines, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach.
On 5 April 2025 ACOTE granted the Fort Lauderdale campus a status of Probationary Accreditation—Inactive. That program is not currently enrolling new students and does not plan to; graduates remain eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination.
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Credits earned toward a respected credential


