Arizona · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Arizona
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Arizona has 6 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (5 associate, 1 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Arizona earn a median $73,490 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Arizona
NBCOT COTA results, length and published cost side by side. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Published cost | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline College-Tucson Campus Tucson | Associate | 100% | Under 2 years | $43,866* | — |
| GateWay Community College Phoenix | Associate | 100% | — | — | — |
| Brookline College-Phoenix Campus Phoenix | Associate | 89% | — | — | — |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Tucson | Associate | 89% | About 20 months | — | — |
| Pima Medical Institute-Mesa Mesa | Associate | 79% | About 20 months | — | — |
| Grand Canyon University Candidacy Phoenix | Bachelor’s | — | — | — | — |
— = not published or not yet verified. Costs are as each school publishes them (full-program tuition; * = all-in total). NBCOT = share of new graduates passing in 2025. Click a program for sources and quotes.
All OTA programs in Arizona
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline College-Phoenix Campus Associate of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant | Phoenix | See program | Blended (online coursework + hands-on labs and fieldwork) | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| Brookline College-Tucson Campus Associate of Applied Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant | Tucson | Under 2 years | Blended (online coursework + hands-on labs and fieldwork) | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| GateWay Community College Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Phoenix | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Pima Medical Institute-Mesa Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) | Mesa | About 20 months | See program | 79% ’25 | Accredited |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) | Tucson | About 20 months | See program | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| Grand Canyon University OTA bachelor's degree | Phoenix | See program | See program | — | Candidacy |
Status and degree level from the ACOTE directory. Length and format only where confirmed on the program’s own website. NBCOT = share of the program’s new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam in the latest year reported (NBCOT school performance data, retrieved 2026-10-08); new programs have no results yet.
Online and hybrid OTA programs in Arizona
No OTA program is fully online: every accredited program includes in-person labs and at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. These Arizona programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Brookline College-Phoenix Campus (Phoenix) — format: Blended (online coursework + hands-on labs and fieldwork) — ACOTE: 75-100% delivered by distance education
- Brookline College-Tucson Campus (Tucson) — format: Blended (online coursework + hands-on labs and fieldwork) — ACOTE: 75-100% delivered by distance education
Pay in Arizona
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Arizona are licensed by the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners. How to get licensed in Arizona → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Arizona?
ACOTE lists 6 occupational therapy assistant programs at 6 schools in Arizona: 5 associate-degree and 1 bachelor's-degree. 1 program is still working toward full accreditation.
How long is OTA school in Arizona?
Most OTA associate programs take about two years including fieldwork, and every accredited OTA program includes at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. Check the length we confirmed for each program in the table above; some schools also require prerequisite courses before you start.
How much do OTAs make in Arizona?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Arizona was $73,490 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Arizona?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Arizona occupational therapy licensing board. See how licensing works.
Can I become an occupational therapist later?
Yes. Many OTAs later complete an OTA-to-OT bridge program. Arizona has 8 OT programs; see OT schools in Arizona and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.