Tucson OTA Program

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

Sep3

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Start Date

Sep3

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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 along with immunization and vaccination records 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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My instructor wasn't just focused on teaching the curriculum; she genuinely cared for her students, ensuring we had the resources, answers, and guidance we needed. Her dedication significantly enhanced my Brookline experience.

– Hannah A.

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

– Andrea V.

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 Campuss

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.

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:

Cohort Year	Students Admitted	Graduation Rate	NBCOT Passing Rate
2023	10	New program/ No graduates	New program/ No graduates
2024		TBD	TBD
2025		TBD	TBD
2026		TBD	TBD

https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
Last updated September 2023

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 Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be qualified 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 individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

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Latest News

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

About the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in Tucson

Get Started

What You’ll Learn

Admissions Requirements for the Tucson Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program with a Career-driven Curriculum

The Tucson Campus

Financial Aid Assistance

Dedicated Faculty Members

Campus Location

Tucson Campuss

Commonly Asked Questions

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

Get Started

Latest News

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Tucson OTA Program

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

About the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in Tucson

Get Started

What You’ll Learn

Admissions Requirements for the Tucson Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program with a Career-driven Curriculum

The Tucson Campus

Financial Aid Assistance

Dedicated Faculty Members

Campus Location

Tucson Campuss

Commonly Asked Questions

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

Get Started

Latest News

12 Most Common Conditions Treated by Occupational Therapist Assistants

Top 10 Portable Healthcare Jobs in 2023

11 Best Healthcare Jobs for Military Spouses

How to Pass the COTA Exam

Get Started

Brookline

Resources

Disclosures

Tools

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