Tucson 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 Tucson

Occupational therapy practitioners are the beacon of recovery and rehabilitation, guiding individuals to reclaim their lives from physical, developmental, or psychosocial impediments to their most essential and enjoyable life activities. If you’re passionate about helping people overcome challenges to enhance their quality of life, you might be the perfect candidate for a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA).

Our accelerated OTA program in Tucson, Arizona, is designed to accommodate busy adults. Our program can prepare you for an entry-level position as an Occupational Therapy Assistant by culminating in an associate degree in under two years.

Why Enroll in Our Occupational Therapy Assistant Program?

  • Flexible Learning: Our program acknowledges the responsibilities of adults and parents, offering a blended curriculum that combines online classes with hands-on labs.
  • Comprehensive Training: You will explore diverse aspects of occupational health therapy. From psychosocial and evidence-based practice to neurological rehabilitation and geriatric practice, our curriculum equips you with the knowledge and skills to excel in this field.
  • Career-Ready Skills: In as little as 96 weeks, you will be armed with a robust understanding and hands-on experience in occupational therapy. You will also be ready to take the NBCOT exam, positioning you for a prosperous career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

Our friendly admissions representatives look forward to guiding you on this exciting journey. Please submit an information request form to take the next step toward a rewarding career. We can’t wait to welcome you into our learning community, where your future takes precedence.

One Degree

Multiple Opportunities

Hands-on

Learning Labs & Externships

Courses Designed

For Busy Adults

Program Start Date

Start date calendar frame

Aug31

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What You’ll Learn

Our Tucson OTA program will prepare you to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, assisted-living facilities, community centers, schools, and sensory clinics.

You will receive comprehensive training in multiple facets of occupational health therapy, with emphasis on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial interventions that patients may require.

As an OTA student, you will learn from working clinicians who practice in pediatric, rehabilitation, psychosocial, and geriatric settings. Since our program is delivered in a blended-online format, many of your OTA classes are presented virtually, and will be accompanied by 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 which you will attend about five to six times per semester.

In addition to your courses, you will also participate in three level I fieldwork experiences where you will shadow practicing clinicians to witness how your OTA course lessons are applied to real world situations.

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Admissions Requirements for the Tucson Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

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 program curriculum framework begins with a strong foundation in the core pillars of occupational therapy. For instance, you will receive instruction on topics such as professionalism, occupation, and whole-person client-centered care with a focus on human complexity and the innate need to engage in purposeful activity.

From there, you will receive more advanced training in contextual factors that may affect occupation health. These include psychosocial influences and health disparities amongst people. You will also gain a broader understanding of the role of occupational therapists in providing evidence-based treatments while advocating and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a constantly changing society.

Upon mastering these fundamental concepts, you will study more specific models, interventions, and therapeutic approaches for those who have physical, neurological, sensory, and developmental disabilities and impairments. During this stage of your education, Level I fieldwork is introduced to allow students the opportunity to tie didactic learning to real world learning situations.

This stage of your program will conclude 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.

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 Tucson is $43,866.00. 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
Total Tuition $42,030.00
Registration Fee $0.00
Books & Supplies $612.00
Technology Fee $1,224.00
Total Program Cost $43,866.00

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Thanks to my outstanding instructors and the supportive school environment, I was well-prepared for my first job out of college.

– Andrea V.

The Tucson Campus

Our Tucson campus strives to provide students with the best possible learning environment. We offer new training facilities, simulation labs, and medical equipment that model your future work setting. Our campus also offers a convenient location with ample parking for students.

Tucson students can also utilize our Learning Resource Center (LRC). The LRC is a great place to study or gain increased exposure and knowledge within your chosen career. Outside of class, you can relax in one of our student lounges.

Financial Aid Assistance

Understanding the options you have to pay for school is vital for success. Without help, it can be overwhelming. Our team of counselors will help you understand all the financial aid options that are available to you at Brookline College. These may include scholarships, grants, loans, military benefits, and more.

Dedicated Faculty Members

The Brookline College instructors at our Tucson campus are highly trained healthcare professionals with industry experience. Since class sizes are small at Tucson, your teachers can focus on your individual needs and help you realize your potential every step of the way.

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From the first call with Admissions, I felt valued. They were so helpful that their calls and texts made us feel like friends.

– Georgina D.

Campus Location

Our college campus in Tucson recently relocated and is conveniently located in the Williams Centre at 300 S. Craycroft Rd, Suite 100. The campus location is easily accessible from anywhere in Tucson.

Tucson Campus

300 S. Craycroft Rd.
Suite 100
Tucson, AZ 85711

Toll-Free: 888-913-7207
[email protected]

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Tucson, Arizona is a large city with 350 days of sunshine per year. It has been called the soul of the Sonoran Desert and the flavor of the Southwest. Not only does it offer plenty of employment opportunities, it is also known for its culture, local eateries, and outdoor activities. Visit Tucson for a unique and vibrant 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 Tucson and its surrounding cities and states, including but not limited to some of the following areas in Arizona.

  • Casa Grande, AZ
  • Casas Adobes, AZ
  • Catalina Foothills, AZ
  • Coolidge, AZ
  • Drexel Heights, AZ
  • Eloy, AZ
  • Florence, AZ
  • Flowing Wells, AZ
  • Green Valley, AZ
  • Marana, AZ
  • Nogales, AZ
  • Oro Valley, AZ
  • Safford, AZ
  • Sierra Vista, AZ

When can I apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program?

Once approved by ACOTE, courses will be offered once a year, so all OTA students start the program at the same time, take the same sequence of classes, and complete the program together. 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 Tucson?

In as little as 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?

Successful graduates are qualified to take the national OTA certification exam through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). With this certification, you can work anywhere in the nation as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

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. Our financial aid team can help you apply for college grants, scholarships, and loans.

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

The student outcomes as reported to ACOTE are as follows:

Graduation Year (September to August) Students graduating/Students Entering Graduation Rate
2024 N/A N/A
2025 4 graduates /6 starts* 100%
2026 TBD TBD
Total 4 graduates /6 starts 100%*

*Students begin the program in the summer semester before the cohort graduation year and expect to complete the program in 5 semesters.  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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