Occupational Therapy Assistant is an Associate Degree program offered by Keiser University in West Palm Beach, FL. The program takes 24 Months 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.
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.
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
Applicants desiring to enter Keiser University must submit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. This permits proper scheduling and assures availability of classroom space. 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.
For students enrolling at Keiser University, credit for courses or degrees completed at another institution is subject to approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. These courses or degrees must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the program for which an applicant has applied. The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision of accepted transfer credits from the received transcript. However, only courses listed on official transcripts receive permanent official transfer credit. (To grant such credit, Keiser University must receive official transcripts--- those mailed directly to Keiser University by the previous institution---by the end of a student’s first semester.) Keiser University requires that, at a minimum, a student complete the final 25% of a program through the University. Active duty, reservists, and National Guard service members who are students can complete at a minimum 25% of a program at any time through the University and graduate. Transfer students are informed in writing of any credits accepted as transferable. Preliminary notification is presented, in most cases, prior to enrollment but in no case later than the end of a transfer student's first semester. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to Keiser University from their former institution(s). It may be necessary for students to forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since college philosophies, objectives and programs may vary and change from year to year. Therefore, Keiser University makes no blanket statement or promise of acceptance of credits from any other institution.
Keiser University accepts transfer credits applicable to an applicant's program of study from other institutions recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Keiser University accepts transfer of associate degrees that, upon evaluation, include the appropriate major course distribution without time limitations.
Transfer credits are granted only for courses in which a grade of "C" or higher was earned (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).
Therefore, effective July 1, 2025 Anatomy and Physiology I & II courses must be taken exclusively in an on-ground delivery mode for students enrolling in a healthcare program that leads to State licensure and/or national certification. Additionally, students who completed Anatomy and Physiology I and/or II at another institution may elect to transfer in these courses provided the courses (1) meet all institutional transfer of credit requirements and (2) were completed within five years of the date of enrollment. For courses taken over three years prior to the date of enrollment, the University reserves the right to administer a competency-based assessment with a minimum grade threshold as part of the transfer of credit process for these courses.
General Requirements
- High School DiplomaVerification of high school graduation with a standard diploma (transcript, diploma, etc.) or
- GED CompletionVerification of GED completion (GED scores or GED diploma) or
- Foreign Secondary CredentialProof of graduation from a foreign institution that is comparable to a United States secondary school, as determined by a member agency of the National Association of Credential…
- Earned Degree in Lieu of DiplomaApplicants will not be required to provide proof of high school graduation when they provide the following: Verification of an earned degree from an institution recognized by the…
- Home-Schooled ApplicantsHome-schooled applicants who have a high school diploma are considered for admission.
- Entrance ExaminationAn applicant must make arrangements to take Keiser University’s entrance examination (administered at the University) or provide results of his/her Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT),…
- Entrance Test ExemptionCandidates seeking general admission to the University are not required to take the general admission test upon providing written proof of an associate or higher degree earned…
- Allied Health Program RequirementsAll candidates must achieve the required entrance examinations scores and all other requirements for admission to specific bachelor and associate degree allied health programs.
- Background CheckBackground check
- General Education and Prerequisite CoursesCompletion of all general education coursework with a minimum grade of “C” for each course. Successful completion of the following prerequisite courses: BSC2085C, BSC2086C,…
- Cumulative 3.0 Grade AverageCumulative grade average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
- Entrance Exam Score of 18Must 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
To receive an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, students must complete 83 credit hours as described below. The length of this program is approximately 24 months (this will vary if a student transfers in credits).
At Keiser University tuition and fees are charged to the student by the semester. Each semester is 16 weeks. Keiser University students are charged by the semester for the scheduled credit hours.
A semester of sixteen (16) weeks may consist of four (4) consecutive four (4) week terms or two (2) consecutive eight (8) week terms or one (1) consecutive sixteen (16) week semester of instruction.
- 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
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
Placement Rate
Keiser University publishes the following in its 2025 Undergraduate Placement Rates report for AS Occupational Therapy Assistant.
| Eligible | Placed | In Field | Related Field | %Placed | %IF/RF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 66 | 61 | 5 | 98.5% | 98.5% |
Keiser University’s notes on this report: “Does not include international campuses.” “Report as of April 2026, 16.43% has been verified through 3rd party.”
Although Keiser University provides employment placement assistance, it cannot promise or guarantee employment.
What to expect as a Keiser University student
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
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Credits earned toward a respected credential
Accreditations
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