Albuquerque OTA Program

Earn Your Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree in as Little as 96 Weeks

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About the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in Albuquerque

As an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), you’ll play a central role in improving patients’ lives, assisting them in achieving their goals, overcoming challenges, and living a more fulfilling life. Our Occupational Therapist Assistant program in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is tailored to elevate your passion and skills to professional standards.

Offered in a unique accelerated format ideal for working adults, this program empowers you to earn your associate degree in as little as 96 weeks. Seamlessly blending online coursework with hands-on labs at our Albuquerque campus, we help you gain theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.

At Brookline College, you’re embarking on more than just an educational journey. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, paving your path to becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with a license to practice anywhere in the U.S.

Are you ready to begin a fulfilling career? Let’s embark on this journey together.

Please fill out our contact form, and one of our friendly admissions representatives will be happy to answer all your questions, ensuring you’re supported and guided every step of the way.

One Degree

Multiple Opportunities

Hands-on

Learning Labs & Externships

Courses Designed

For Busy Adults

Program Start Date

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Aug31

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What You’ll Learn

Our Occupational Therapy Assistant courses prepare you to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, assisted-living facilities, community centers, schools, and sensory clinics. You will receive a well-rounded education with an emphasis on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial interventions that meet the needs of every patient.

Albuquerque OTA students have the opportunity to learn from working clinicians who practice in pediatric, rehabilitation, psychosocial, and geriatric settings. In our OTA classes, information is presented through online learning with required readings, videos, discussion posts, and assignments. Classes meet every week through an online lecture, where students are expected to participate and engage with others. These skills are then practiced and reinforced during campus-based labs.

In addition to our practice courses, students participate in three level-I fieldwork experiences where you will shadow practicing clinicians to discover how your class activities are applied to real world situations.

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Admissions Requirements for the Albuquerque Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Enrollment in the OTA program includes the following steps for admission

1 Meet with Admissions Representative (virtual or in-person)

2 Schedule & Pass TEAS entrance assessment

3 Submit completed OTA application

4 Complete FAFSA & Financial Aid Interview

5 Complete formal interview with the OTA Leadership Team

6 Pass drug and background checks, and provide medical clearance*

*For students accepted into the OTA program, documentation of current CPR certification is required. A drug and background check will be required as well, and in the state of Arizona, students are also required to complete a fingerprint clearance card.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program with a Career-driven Curriculum

The OTA curriculum begins with broad foundational concepts of professionalism, occupation, and whole-person client-centered care, with the focus on human complexity and the innate need to engage in purposeful activity.

Students then learn about contextual factors including psychosocial influences, health disparities, and the role of occupational therapists in providing evidence-based treatments while advocating and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a constantly changing society.

With a strong understanding of these universal concepts students then learn more specific models, interventions, and therapeutic approaches for those who have physical, neurological, sensory, and developmental disabilities and impairments. During this stage of student development, Level-I fieldwork is introduced to allow students the opportunity to tie didactic learning to real world learning situations.

Our program culminates with an in-depth study of clinical reasoning before completing Level-II fieldwork, where curricular threads and learning objects are applied in a practice setting, resulting in competent entry level practitioners.

Below are some of the topics we cover in our OTA curriculum:

  • Psychosocial Practice
  • Evidence Based practice
  • Conditions Through the Life Span
  • Advocacy Skills for OTAs
  • Physical Rehabilitation
  • Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Geriatric Practice
  • Pediatric Fieldwork
  • Kinesiology

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Occupational Therapy Assistant Tuition & Financial Aid

At Brookline College, the total tuition cost is all inclusive, and there are no hidden fees.  The total cost of the program at Albuquerque is $49,081.94. Total tuition cost could be lower if you have prior general education credit hours that are transferred.

Most Brookline College students use some form of financial aid to help cover the cost of their education. That’s why we offer personalized counseling from a Student Financial Representative to help make your college experience more affordable.

Cost of attendance breakdown effective for students starting in 2026

Program cost is subject to change at any time. Any changes to the program costs will be reflected on the website as implemented by the institution.

2026
Tuition $43,758.00
Registration Fee $0.00
Books & Supplies $612.00
Technology Fee $1,224.00
NM Sales Tax $3,487.94
Total Program Cost $49,081.94

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All the professors at Brookline College are great. Each one does more than they can to help, and I truly appreciate them.

– Devona V.

The Albuquerque Campus

Not only does the Albuquerque campus offer various programs, but it spans two convenient locations in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both locations host modern simulation labs that provide students with immersive real-world medical environments.

Moreover, Albuquerque students can access our Learning Resource Center (LRC) at either location. Our LRCs are ideal locations for you to study, conduct research, and gain increased exposure and knowledge within your chosen field. Outside of class, students can relax in the campus library or one of our student lounges.

Student Support

We strive to support all our students as much as possible. For instance, our blended format fosters an environment of flexibility, inclusion, and success. You can count on us for support throughout the OTA program and long after graduation.

Career Assistance

We pride ourselves on preparing OTA graduates to succeed in the field. Not only do we offer smaller class sizes and dynamic curriculums, but we also maintain a dedicated team of career-service coordinators. They provide graduates with resume workshops, mock interviews, career advisement, and more.

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Brookline is an amazing school. The teachers here really go out of their way to connect with their students.

– Ciara K.

Campus Location

Our main Albuquerque campus is easily accessible and located west of the Rio Grande on US RTE 66, which is minutes from all the major highways. Around10 miles north of our main campus on RTE 45 lies the Brookline educational extension site.

Albuquerque Main Campus

303 Roma Ave NW
3rd Floor, Suite 300
Albuquerque, NM 87102

888-717-0199

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Albuquerque, New Mexico is a vibrant city with diverse cultures, art, and tradition. Not only does it offer plenty of employment opportunities, it is also known for its year-round sunshine and outdoor activities, like the International Balloon Fiesta. Journey to Albuquerque for a unique and inspiring place to live.

Commonly Asked Questions

Does Brookline College offer an Occupational Therapy Assistant program near me?

Our Occupational Therapy Assistant program accepts students from many areas in Albuquerque and its surrounding cities and states, including but not limited to some of the following areas in New Mexico.

  • Belen, NM
  • Bernalillo, NM
  • Corrales, NM
  • Espanola, NM
  • Grants, NM
  • Las Vegas, NM
  • Los Alamos, NM
  • Los Lunas, NM
  • Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
  • North Valley, NM
  • Rio Rancho, NM
  • Santa Fe, NM
  • Socorro, NM
  • South Valley, NM
  • Taos, NM

When can I apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

OTA classes are only offered once per year. We do this so that all our students can complete the program at the same time. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact an admissions representative.

What is the class schedule for the OTA program?

At Brookline College, you can expect to see the following schedule for the OTA program:

  • Semesters 1-5: OTA class every Friday (either virtual or in-person).
  • Semester 1 & 2: Labs and lectures on campus every third Friday (two hours).
  • Semester 3, 4 & 5: Labs and lectures on campus every other Friday starting week five (eight hours).
  • Semester 6: Full-time fieldwork Monday – Friday (eight-hour days).

How long does it take to complete the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

In just under two years, you can complete our Occupational Therapy Assistant program and earn your Associate of Applied Science degree.

What OTA certifications can I take after completing the program?

Upon graduation, you can take the national OTA certification exam through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). If you pass, you can work anywhere in the nation and will be known as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

When is the Albuquerque campus open to students?

The main Albuquerque campus is typically open on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, operating hours may change throughout the year based on holiday schedules and other factors.

How much is the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

At Brookline College, we offer fixed tuition for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. This means that you will know exactly what your education will cost from start to finish. OTA tuition costs can vary depending on your specific circumstances, including your financial aid eligibility. In fact, our financial aid team can help you apply for college grants, scholarships, and loans. To learn more, reach out to one of our admissions representatives.

What are the student outcomes for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program?

The student outcomes as reported to ACOTE are as follows:

Graduation Year (September – August) Students Graduating/Students Entering Graduation Rate
2024 5 graduates / 7 starts 71%
2025 5 graduates / 5 starts 100%
2026 TBD TBD
Total 10 graduates / 12 starts 85.5%*

*Graduation rate is calculated as follows: The number of students who graduate on time (G1) plus the number of students who graduate within 150% of the expected time (G2) divided by the number of students admitted in the original cohort (G3) minus the number of students who withdrew due to military, health, family issues, death, and other reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (G4). Calculation per calendar year is = (G1 + G2) / (G3 – G4).

https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
Last updated January 2026

When does OTA fieldwork need to be completed?

Students must complete all Level II fieldwork within 12 months of completing the didactic portion of the program.

Accreditation

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Ste. 510E, Bethesda, M.D. 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, C/O AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org

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, all 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.

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