Become an OTA and Enable People to Live Life to the Fullest
Occupational therapy is a rewarding health profession where you work with people of all ages to help them do what they want and need to do in their daily life. Whether a client needs to relearn how to perform activities of daily living after an illness, participate fully in school while having a developmental delay, or live at home safely as they age, occupational therapy helps individuals reach the highest functional level possible.
St. Louis Community College’s occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program was established in 1983 and is the oldest program in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Upon completion of this program, students earn an associate in applied science (AAS) degree and are eligible to sit for the national board examination, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After passing this exam, students are eligible for licensure in Missouri, Illinois, or any state in the US.
What is the Occupational Therapy Program at St. Louis Community College?
In this program, you will learn to use educational, leisure, vocational, and rehabilitation activities therapeutically to help people increase independence and self-reliance. You will discover how to look at the “big picture” and consider ways to decrease the barriers that prevent people from participating in daily living. The AAS in occupational therapy assistant program at STLCC teaches skills in assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and monitoring patient progress. Once admitted to the program, students spend three semesters in the classroom, which includes an introduction to clinical practice, called Level 1 Fieldwork. Instruction in the classroom is followed by two 8-week full-time clinical experiences, called Level 2 Fieldwork. At the successful conclusion of both Level 2 Fieldworks, students will graduate and be eligible to sit for the NBCOT board exam.
The OTA program at STLCC is committed to providing quality educational experiences that facilitate the development of practitioners who are fully qualified, ethically sound, and civically responsible. The established course sequence provides instruction in the basic human sciences, human development, and interpersonal processes, while exploring the tenets of occupation, the therapeutic use of occupation, and the dynamic interaction of the individual in his or her own unique environment. STLCC’s OTA Program provides hands-on opportunities and practical experiences to develop skills in critical thinking, self-assessment and reflection, an appreciation for life-long learning, and a desire to be civically active. OTA faculty are highly trained and experienced in the field.
What Can You Do with an Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree?
With an occupational therapy assistant associate degree, you can become a certified
occupational therapy assistant (COTA). In this role, you will work in collaboration
with and under the guidance of an occupational therapist, assisting patients with
therapeutic activities and helping them regain skills for daily living and independence.
OTAs work in a wide variety of settings and across the lifespan including schools,
hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, physician offices, re-entry
centers, homeless shelters, and more. An OTA can work with toddlers, children, adults,
or elderly clients to help them participate in daily life.
An OTA also has employment opportunities that go beyond working in these settings. Examples include aquatic therapy and therapeutic horsemanship, or even teaching in an academic setting.
AAS in OTA Details
- Degree Offered: Associates in Applied Science
- Locations: Forest Park
- Hours to Complete: 67
- Program Contact Name: Cynthia Ballentine, MSOT, OTR/L
- Program Contact Email: cballentine@stlcc.edu
- Admissions Information: stlcc-occupationaltherapy@stlcc.edu
- Accreditation:
The OTA program is 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. AOTA’s telephone number is 301-652-AOTA. The website is acoteonline.org. - This program meets the educational requirements for state licensure in the following states: Missouri and Illinois. Students interested in pursuing licensure in a different state should contact the program coordinator for more information.
Cost of Attendance
Maintenance fees for pre-requisite, general education, and OTA courses:
- In District -$122/credit hour
- Out of district -$171/credit hour
- Out of state -$233/credit hour
(In District total cost - $7,738.50 for two years taking all courses in the curriculum)
Textbooks and course materials: Students are expected to purchase the required textbooks and course materials for OTA courses each semester. These can cost anywhere from $200-$800 per year.
Health insurance: All OTA students are required to carry personal health insurance at your expense. Students are also required to have liability insurance each semester for fieldwork; however, this is covered by the college through tuition fees.
Castlebranch Compliance Tracker: Required for the student to upload OTA Program paperwork requirements. The cost is
$27.50.
Family Care Safety Registry: Required for placement at fieldwork sites. Will cost
$15.
Criminal background check: Required for placement at fieldwork sites. Will cost approximately $14 and up depending on the number of states you’ve lived in.
Drug screen: Required for placement at fieldwork sites. Approximately $35
OTA Program Shirt/ Lab Coat/Uniform: OTA program shirts are required for field trips, skills practicum checkouts, etc. they are $25. Some fieldwork sites require a lab coat, uniform, or “scrubs” that you would be responsible for acquiring. If the sites do not require anything in particular you are expected to wear your OTA program shirt.
Typhon Fieldwork software: $120
Fieldwork Education Expenses: Students are responsible for potential expenses related to of fieldwork activities (i.e. gas, transportation costs, housing if applicable, etc.)
After graduation:
National Certification Examination: Application fee and fees to cover score reports-- $600
During the last semester of the program, students will be given detailed and current information regarding specific exam fees.
Licensure fees: Fee will vary depending on state you apply but around $30 - $50 in MO/IL
Financial Aid Information
St. Louis Community College provides a comprehensive financial aid program funded by federal, state and private agencies. STLCC provides a Cost Calculator to help students estimate costs. Plus we'll help you navigate scholarship options and financial aid.
Admission Requirements
We admit up to 24 students every fall, and there is no waitlist for the program at this time. Admission to the OTA program is on a first-come, first-served basis for those students
who meet the minimum academic and other requirements.
To facilitate the entry of students into the program, an applicant list is used. A student is placed on the applicant list once program application prerequisites have been met and a program application has been submitted. To apply, students meet with an advisor. Placement on the applicant list is based solely on the date of application. Students should regularly check their STLCC email as that is how the program will communicate further information. Admission offers will be sent via STLCC email in the spring to those being offered admission to the program for the fall semester. All students joining the program must attend a mandatory program orientation in May.
The OTA program is a selective admission, college-level program. Students must have successfully completed specific requirements prior to application, including:
- high school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.5
- minimum placement test scores or successful completion of specific courses
- successful completion of BIO 207 - Anatomy and Physiology I with a "C" or higher within the last five years
- successful completion of PSY 200 - General Psychology with a "C" or higher within the last five years
Students must complete the appropriate pre-requisite courses before enrolling in the required general education, biology, and OTA courses.
Once accepted to the OTA Program, there will be a mandatory orientation during the first part of May.
All OTA students must complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of academic coursework.
Please Note: Credits earned in STLCC’s OTA AAS program generally do not transfer to occupational therapy master’s degree programs. The curriculum for an OTA degree is distinctly different from the curriculum for an OT degree. OTA focuses on technical skills and knowledge, while the OT degree emphasizes theory, research, and management. In addition, the OT degree is an entry-level master’s degree. In most cases, a student would need to complete a bachelor’s degree before beginning an OT degree program.
OTA Program Admissions Requirements
In compliance with St. Louis Community College policies, the OTA Program is committed to nondiscrimination with respect to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.
Program Outcomes
Graduation Rate:
Graduation Year |
# of Students Admitted/Graduated |
Graduation % Rates |
| 2021 | 15/9 | 60% |
| 2022 | 24/8 | 33% |
| 2023 | 17/11 | 65% |
3-year Total/Average |
56/28 | 50% |
For the most up-to-date information on STLCC’s OTA graduates’ certification exam scores,
visit the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Why Choose STLCC's OTA Program
A Well-Established, Affordable Program
We believe cost should never be a barrier to achieving your potential. Save over $4,700 per year with tuition that's one-third lower than other local institutions.
State of the Art Facilities
Come learn in spaces designed by occupational therapy practitioners to promote the highest level of learning. The OTA lab includes a variety of unique spaces, such as a hospital room and a functioning kitchen, to gain hands-on experience that simulates future clinical practice.
Opportunities in the Field
The OTA program includes clinical affiliation agreements for Level 2 Fieldwork throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area that include more exposure to specific practice settings. You will be able to do Level 2 Fieldwork in two unique settings to prepare you as an OTA generalist.
STLCC. What's your reason?