Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program Number: 10-514-1
- Two-year Associate Degree program
- Health-Related Professions Program Cluster
- Center for Health and Safety Education
- Program offered at the following campuses:
- For information call: (608) 246-6065
About the Program
 View the Occupational Therapy Assistant video
Occupational therapy assistants serve individuals across the life span whose ability to participate in everyday occupations is complicated by developmental disability, physical and/or emotional illness, injury or aging changes. Occupations are the activities of daily life that have value to the individuals and help them be contributing members of their communities. Occupational therapy assistants
- Use purposeful activities to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills needed to function;
- Offer alternative approaches and adaptations to compensate when needed and
- Promote the balance of self-care, work and leisure activities that results in the quality of life and level of independence valued by the individual.
This program prepares occupational therapy assistants who collaborate with occupational therapists. OT assistants are employed in community settings providing mental health, residential care and home health and work-related services as well as in nursing homes, hospitals and schools.
Accreditation/Credentialing: This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O.Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, (301) 652-AOTA. Credentialing as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) is separate from MATC graduation. Certification with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) requires passing a nationally administered OTA competency examination. Licensure by the State of Wisconsin or other states requires passing this certification exam and complying with any other state credentialing requirements. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Program outcomes state what a graduate needs to be able to do with the essential knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors acquired in a specific MATC program. The program outcomes communicate expectations to students, as well as other academic institutions and potential employers. The identification and assessment of program outcomes support MATC's efforts in documenting student learning and provide a context for the faculty's academic planning.
Admissions Requirements for All Applications Submitted for the Current Academic Year
View detailed program admissions requirements. The checklist information sheet will assist you with required credentials for admissions into the program.
Program Requirements
- Caregiver Background Check (CBC); refer to catalog for Health, Human and Protective Services Policy;
- Physical exam and a completed Medical Physical History Form (pdf) on file prior to beginning fieldwork experiences involving direct client care; and
- Essential functions for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
Note: A copy of the essential functions necessary to successfully complete the program of study is available upon request from the division office.
Career Potential
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
- Adult Day Care Coordinator
- Activities Coordinator
- Community Support Worker
- Life Skills Trainer
- Durable Medical Equipment Coordinator
- Job Coach
- Family Support Worker
- Supported Employment Specialist
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Assisted Living Program Coordinator/ Manager
- Case Manager
- Community-Based Residential Facility Manager
- Assistive Technology Provider
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