Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Pima Medical Institute's Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program gives you the clinical and professional skills needed to begin your career as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant working under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

Through a curriculum that balances clinical knowledge with real-world application, you will learn the principles of occupational therapy, therapeutic modalities, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology, documentation, administrative procedures, and specialized practice across mental health, physical health, and pediatric populations. Pima Medical's labs simulate real-world settings, giving you hands-on training that prepares you for the environments you will encounter on the job. Graduates of an accredited OTA program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Program objective. To develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level occupational therapy assistants through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical experiences. Students have the opportunity to develop professional skills in activity analysis, growth and development, human occupations, principles of occupational therapy, therapeutic modalities, administrative procedures, and ethics and laws governing the practice of occupational therapy. Graduates of this program at the El Paso and Houston campuses receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree, while graduates at other PMI campuses receive an Associate of Occupational Science. Graduates of accredited OTA programs are eligible to apply to take the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistant (COTA) administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Occupational Analysis: Evaluating everyday tasks to build effective treatment plans
• Kinesiology: Applying movement and musculoskeletal principles to therapy
• Mental Health: Supporting patients' psychological and social needs through OT principles
• Documentation: Accurately recording patient progress and treatment plans
• Pediatrics: Applying therapy techniques tailored to pediatric populations
• Fieldwork: Gaining hands-on clinical experience through supervised fieldwork rotations

Continuing your education. For graduates looking to continue their education, OTA graduates are eligible for the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration , a healthcare leadership program offered at Pima Medical Institute.

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

Program-specific requirements. In addition to the Admissions requirements listed in the Prospective Students section of this catalog, an interview with the program director and/ or faculty is required. Refer to the program specific Prospective Student Handout for more information.

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for degree programs, excluding Nursing, are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 20. Applicants for associate degree programs are also required to take a math admission test and receive a minimum of 80% (24 out of 30 correct); a calculator is allowed, the time limit is 45 minutes, and the test can be taken up to 3 times. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 20 Months (approximate); Total credits: 70.5-73.5; Lab hours: 224; Class hours: 768-813; Externship hours: 720. Hybrid education options not available at all campuses. Credit totals and hours vary by location.

El Paso, Houston, Denver, Mesa, Renton, San Marcos and Tucson campuses. The 2026 tuition price list shows 70.5 semester credits and 1,712 clock hours over 80 weeks, including 15.5 externship credits (720 hours).

El Paso class times. Morning classes 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Monday through Friday; afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:40 PM - 10:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Houston class times. Morning classes 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, late morning classes 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and afternoon classes 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday; night classes 5:50 PM - 10:10 PM. Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Technology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography externships are 40 hours per week.

Hybrid learning options. For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses. Hybrid learning combines in-person instruction with online learning. Students can engage with course materials at times and in environments that suit their individual circumstances, such as balancing employment, family responsibilities or geographic constraints. However, externship hours must be completed entirely in person because hands-on clinical experience is essential for developing the practical skills and confidence needed for real-world patient care.

• Certification: Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) credential through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).*
• Entry-level roles: Occupational therapy assistant, pediatric occupational therapy assistant, geriatric occupational therapy assistant, school-based occupational therapy assistant, home health occupational therapy assistant, or mental health occupational therapy assistant.
• Career advancement: With experience, COTAs can move into senior or lead OTA roles, specialize in areas such as hand therapy or pediatrics or take on training and mentorship responsibilities for new staff. Some also choose to continue their education toward a bachelor's degree.

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:

• Occupational therapy assistant
• Rehabilitation therapy assistant
• Pediatric occupational therapy assistant

These careers exist in a variety of environments, including but not limited to hospitals, public schools, rehabilitation centers, mental health centers, nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Job outlook. 20% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $70,800 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapy-assistants-and-aides.htm (visited August 27, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic careers. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.