Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant

Penn State’s OTA degree provides essential skills through diverse classes, from lifespan occupational performance to assistive technologies. Our OTA courses prepare you for a rewarding career in helping clients regain independence. Explore a few OTA classes below.

• Occupational Performance across the Life Span: Develop an understanding of how people of all ages live, learn, and play. Explore what makes everyday life meaningful and discover how you can help others lead their best lives.

• Assistive Technologies and Methods of Adaptation: Get hands-on with assistive devices that help people live more independently.

• Occupational Therapy for Child and Adolescent Health: Learn how to help kids and teens overcome challenges and thrive.

• Occupational Therapy for Psychosocial and Behavioral Health: Design therapies that improve the lives of individuals with mental health challenges.

• Occupational Therapy for Physical Health and Rehabilitation: Learn how to help people regain their strength and independence by designing personalized therapies. You'll gain practical skills to support physical health and recovery.

• Fieldwork Experience in Occupational Therapy: Get real-world experience by working directly with clients, where you'll observe, collaborate, and apply what you've learned in a supervised, hands-on setting.

Review the full occupational therapy assistant course listing for additional requirements and a sample of the program’s structure.

After earning your associate’s degree, you can advance your education through our bridge programs for OTAs, earning a bachelor's degree in occupational science with flexible online and hybrid options. Or explore additional bachelor’s options like biology, psychology, biobehavioral health, integrated social sciences, and other health-related fields.

Plus, we're launching a new occupational therapy assistant to occupational therapy bridge program in 2025 that lets you earn three degrees—associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s—in occupational therapy and occupational science, all at Penn State.

In our occupational therapy assistant program, you'll dive into a dynamic learning environment that blends hands-on experience with professional preparation.

• Clubs: Join our close-knit community of students who collaborate in occupational therapy clubs to connect with peers, faculty, and industry professionals.

• Cutting-edge facilities: Gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art simulation labs, featuring real-life settings like kitchens and living spaces.

• Clinical experience: Complete fieldwork practicums in top healthcare facilities across the state, building a strong professional network and gaining valuable experience for your career.