Keiser University

Occupational Therapy Assistant

West Palm Beach Campus
Associate Degree
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Keiser University is accredited by SACSCOC. This program is accredited by ACOTE at the Daytona, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Pembroke Pines, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach campuses.
Keiser University offers this program on campus.
$12,908 per semester. This program spans 6 semesters at full-time enrollment.
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).
A one-time $55 application fee applies on enrollment (subject to annual review).
Keiser University participates in federal Title IV financial aid, including grants and federal student loans.

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 Diploma
    Verification of high school graduation with a standard diploma (transcript, diploma, etc.) or
  • GED Completion
    Verification of GED completion (GED scores or GED diploma) or
  • Foreign Secondary Credential
    Proof 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 Diploma
    Applicants 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 Applicants
    Home-schooled applicants who have a high school diploma are considered for admission.
  • Entrance Examination
    An 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 Exemption
    Candidates 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 Requirements
    All candidates must achieve the required entrance examinations scores and all other requirements for admission to specific bachelor and associate degree allied health programs.
  • Background Check
    Background check
  • General Education and Prerequisite Courses
    Completion 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 Average
    Cumulative grade average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
  • Entrance Exam Score of 18
    Must earn a minimum of 18 on the University Entrance Exam

Application Process

  1. 1
    Contact an Admissions Counselor
    Contact one of Keiser University’s admissions counselors to talk through the program and your options.
  2. 2
    Attend an Open House or Campus Visit
    Attend an open house or plan a campus visit. Applicants are encouraged to visit the University in person.
  3. 3
    Meet With Your Admissions Counselor
    Schedule a convenient time to meet with your admissions counselor to determine if Keiser University is right for you.
  4. 4
    Submit an Application
    Submit 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.

New cohorts start regularly throughout the year. Our start dates are as follows:
  • 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

Per Semester Tuition
≈ $12,908
FAFSA Code
Net Price Calculator

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 loadTuition 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 Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant at Keiser University prepares you to work as an occupational therapy assistant under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. This occupational therapy education program combines classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork experiences. You’ll gain the therapeutic skills needed to help clients with developmental disabilities, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, and psychiatric challenges achieve their functional goals. To receive an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, students must complete 83 credit hours as follows:

Required Courses

Subject #NameCredits
OTH1007CIntroduction to Occupational Therapy4
OTH1203CHuman Occupation and Development Across the Lifespan4
OTH1014CKinesiology for Occupational Therapy Assistants4
OTH1433CMusculoskeletal Disorders/Assessment and Intervention Strategies4
OTH1432CNeurological Disorders/Assessment and Intervention Strategies4
OTH2300CPsychiatric Disorders/Assessment and Intervention Strategies4
OTH2130CTherapeutic Interventions for Individuals, Groups and Populations4
OTH2800LFieldwork I2
OTH2420COccupational Therapy for Physically Disabled4
OTH2520CPediatric Occupational Therapy4
OTH2602CAging and Performance Skills4
OTH2013COT Pre-clinical Practicum3
OTH2840LFieldwork II (A, B, C, D)12
PSY1012Introduction to Psychology3
SYG1000Sociology3
SPC1017Speech3
CGS1000CIntroduction to Computers3
ENC1101English Composition I3
ENC2102English Composition II3
AML1000American Literature3
ENL1000English Literature3
CWL1000Contemporary World Literature3
MAC2105College Algebra3
MAT1033Intermediate Algebra3
BSC2085CHuman Anatomy and Physiology I4
BSC2086CHuman Anatomy and Physiology II4

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.

EligiblePlacedIn FieldRelated Field%Placed%IF/RF
676661598.5%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.

Campus Address

West Palm Beach Campus
2085 Vista Parkway
West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Why Accreditation Is Important

Keiser University’s Associate of Science in 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; Office phone: (301) 652-6611; website: http://www.acoteonline.org. On April 5, 2025, ACOTE granted a status of Probationary Accreditation—Inactive to the Fort Lauderdale Campus. This status indicates that the program is not currently enrolling new students and does not plan to enroll new students in the future. While the program is on Probationary Accreditation-Inactive status, the 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).
  • Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
  • Credits earned toward a respected credential

Accreditations

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Images

Accredited by AOTA /ACOTE
Accredited by AOTA /ACOTE
occupational-therapy-assistant-as-degree-banner
occupational-therapy-assistant-as-degree-

Top Questions About Earning an Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree

Can I complete the OTA program online at Keiser University?
The occupational therapy assistant program requires on-campus attendance for hands-on laboratory courses and supervised fieldwork experiences. Clinical courses and Level II fieldwork must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. General education courses may be available online depending on the campus. Contact an admissions counselor to get more information about the OTA classes format.
What is the difference between an occupational therapy assistant and an occupational therapist?
An occupational therapy assistant works under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. After earning an associate degree and passing the national certification examination, certified occupational therapy assistants implement treatment plans, work directly with clients, and document progress. Occupational therapists hold a master’s or doctoral degree and perform evaluations, develop treatment plans, and supervise therapy assistants.
What careers can I pursue with an occupational therapy assistant associate degree?
Certified occupational therapy assistants can pursue careers in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, pediatric clinics, mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, and community programs. You may work with children with developmental disabilities, adults recovering from injuries, older adults in geriatric settings, or individuals with psychiatric conditions.
Can I transfer credits from another institution?
Yes, Keiser University accepts transfer credits for undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Our admissions team will work with you to review your transcripts and determine your transfer eligibility. Credits transfer based on several factors including accreditation and course equivalency. Learn more about credit transfer requirements and eligibility requirements.
Is financial aid available for the OTA program?
Yes. Students in the occupational therapy assistant program may qualify for grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. Military veterans may also qualify for education benefits. Speak with a dedicated financial aid counselor to explore all available options and create a plan that fits your situation. Learn more about Keiser University’s Financial Services.
Is the Occupation Therapy Assistant program accredited?
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: www.acoteonline.org. Click here 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.
Can I work while attending the OTA program?
The occupational therapy assistant program requires significant time commitment for classroom learning, laboratory practice, and clinical fieldwork. Many OTA students find it challenging to work full-time while enrolled in the program, especially during fieldwork rotations. Part-time employment may be possible during didactic courses, but Level II fieldwork typically requires time and focused work.
How long does it take to complete the occupational therapy assistant program?
The associate degree in occupational therapy assistant typically takes approximately 24 months to complete. This includes time for prerequisite courses, occupational therapy major courses, and Level II fieldwork. The actual timeline varies based on transfer credits and enrollment status.
How much does the OTA program cost?
View OTA Tuition & Costs Tuition at Keiser University varies by degree program. Keiser University offers financial aid, military and veteran benefits, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement to those who qualify. For more information about the degree cost, please contact an admissions advisor. Get more information about Keiser University’s tuition and costs.
What courses are required in the OTA program?
The curriculum includes prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology, psychology, mathematics, and general education. Occupational therapy major courses cover human occupation and development, kinesiology, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, pediatric occupational therapy, aging and performance skills, and therapeutic interventions. Clinical courses include Fieldwork I, a pre-clinical practicum, and Level II fieldwork for hands-on experience in healthcare settings.
What is the NBCOT certification examination?
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) offers certification for occupational therapists (OTR) and occupational therapy assistants (COTA). This certification is essential for those seeking to practice as licensed professionals in the field of occupational therapy. The NBCOT certification is recognized nationwide and is often a prerequisite for state licensure.
What happens during Level II fieldwork?
Level II fieldwork involves the attainment of academic, professional, technical, and clinical skills for a period of two, eight-week rotations under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapy practitioner. Fieldwork II is scheduled immediately following completion of academic coursework. All Fieldwork II coursework must be completed within 12 months of a student’s completion of academic courses. Prerequisite: OTH2013C
Can I advance to become an occupational therapist later?
Yes. After working as a certified occupational therapy assistant, you may choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s or doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Some universities offer bridge programs designed for experienced therapy assistants.
Ready to get started?
Apply to Occupational Therapy Assistant at West Palm Beach Campus.
Occupational Therapy Assistant