Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Arkansas

Arkansas has 5 ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) School which provides an associate degree in Occupational Therapy. Plus, the state also has 2 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy Schools in Arkansas which provides an entry-level master degree or Doctor of Occupational therapy degree. The license is required to practice as an OTA in Arkansas; one can appear for the licensure examination after clearing the OTA associate degree from accredited OTA schools.

The list of Occupational therapy assistant schools in Arkansas is-

1. Arkansas State University
2. Arkansas Tech University- Ozark Campus
3. Baptist Health College Little Rock/UA-Pulaski Technical College
4. Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (UA Cossatot)
5. South Arkansas Community College (SACC)

Occupational Therapy in Arkansas-

The occupational therapist (OT), Occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and OT/OTA students have their own state association, i.e. AROTA (Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association).

The AROTA is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides a professional community for its members. The AROTA is a state-based professional organization for the occupational therapy profession in Arkansas.

Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy assistant work closely with the patient to facilitate the recovery. OT assistant works on all therapy setup and assists OT on assessment and intervention implementation.

The Occupational therapist Assistant has good job opportunities in Arkansas. An OTA can also become an occupational therapist by applying through a bridge program. 

Occupational Therapy Assistance License in Arkansas-

Graduates of the OTA Program are required to sit for the certification examination administered by the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy). Upon successful completion of the NBCOT exam graduates must apply to the Arkansas State Medical Board for authorization to practice as a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) within the state of Arkansas. An OTA becomes COTA after passing the NBCOT exam.

The minimum requirements for the license are –

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be of good moral character.
• An Associate degree in Occupational therapy assistant.
• NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
• Must complete a background check.
• Must present indisputable identification.
• Initial License fee: $50 (OTA) and $75 (OT).

Temporary OTA License / limited OTA license:

A temporary or limited OTA license can be issued by the authority if the applicant has completed an OTA program and has not taken the NBCOT exam. Temporary permits expire 30 days after the NBCOT eligibility date and can be extended only by submitting a written request and an additional $25 fee. Application fee of $75.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Arkansas-

#1 Arkansas State University

The OTA School at Arkansas state university offers entry-level associate of science degree in occupational therapy assistant. This course is a full-time program that completes in a year.

The university also offers the OTD program. This program is an entry-level program to become an occupational therapist.

Arkansas State University – Jonesboro Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Jonesboro Campus
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Program Director-	Jessie Bricker
Course Duration-	1-year program
Class Size	30 students per year
OTA Admission	Each Fall
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through college’s website.
Minimum Requirement	28 prerequisite course hours with a minimum grade of “B”; Cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale of all college work attempted; English proficiency requirements, if foreign born (TOEFL score of 79 or higher); 2 letters of recommendation from instructors, work supervisors or community individuals; Resume; Official sealed transcripts sent with application.
Pre-requisites	ENG 1003, ENG 1013, MATH 1023, BIO 2201, BIO 2203, PSY 2013, PTA 1013 or UC 1013, Any one from:- PSY 3453, PSY 4533 Any one from- POSC 2103, HIST 2763, HIST 2773 Any one from- CS 1013, CIT 1503.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 106 N. Caraway Road, PO Box 910 Jonesboro, AR 72467-0910 Email- jbricker@astate.edu
Website	www.astate.edu/ota

#2 Arkansas Tech University- Ozark Campus 

The Arkansas Tech University offers an Associate degree in Occupational Therapy. Each fall term, the school admits 20 students. And due to the limited seat, the school prefers a selection process: TEAS score 70% Essay 15% Clinical Observation Rating form 15%.

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Ozark Campus
Public or Private-	Public Institute.
Program Director-	Wendi Pool
Course Duration-	1 ½ year
Class Size	20 students per year
OTA Admission	Each Fall.
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through college’s website.
Minimum Requirement	Be at least 18 years of age; Completion of 16 volunteer hours with one OTR or COTA. Must submit hours through clinical observation rating form; Completion of OTA Program Application for Admission; A typed Essay on OT.
Pre-requisites	BST 1303 or COMS 1003 HIT 1123 HIT 1113 ENGL 1013 MATH 1113 or MATH 1003 HIT 1243 ENGL 1023 PHSC 1013/1021 or BIOL 1014 I PSY 2003 Courses to be completed with a minimum C grade.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 1700 Helberg Lane Ozark, AR 72949-2013 Email- wpool2@atu.edu
Website	www.atu.edu/ota

#3 Baptist Health College Little Rock/UA-Pulaski Technical College

The BHCLR College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree, which is obtained through an academic affiliate, UA-Pulaski Technical College.

The BHCLR School of OTA is a day program and does not offer classes at night or online. However, general education courses offered through UA-Pulaski Technical College may be offered at night or online.

Baptist Health College Little Rock/UA-Pulaski Technical College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Little rock campus
Public or Private-	Private Institute
Program Director-	James Karen
Course Duration-	21 months
Class Size	18 students per year.
OTA Admission	Each fall
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through college’s website.
Minimum Requirement	Official transcripts of all previously attended schools and universities. ACT or SAT score copy. ACT minimum required score-21. 6 to 8 hours of OT related observation under OTR or COTA. GED of 2.7 and a minimum C grade in pre-requisite courses.
Pre-requisites	ENG 1013 MATH 1103 PSYS 1103.
Address	School of Occupational Therapy Assistant 11900 Colonel Glenn Road Little Rock, AR 72210-2820 Email- karen.james@baptist-health.org
Website	https://bhclr.edu/ota

#4 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (UA Cossatot)

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at UA Cossatot offers Associate of applied science degree in Occupational Therapy.  The program combines classroom instruction with clinical experiences.  The program consists of two portions which include the general education core and the OTA program courses. 

The school rank applicants according to the required general education course GPA, pre-entrance exam scores, observation report, application narrative, and three (3) letters of recommendation. 

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Little river Ashdown Campus
Public or Private-	Public Institute
Program Director-	Tamla Heminger
Course Duration-	2 and ½ year
Class Size	15 to 18 students per year
OTA Admission	Each Fall.
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through college’s website.
Minimum Requirement	Submission of Official college and high school transcripts with graduation date and final GPA. TEAS V scores; An essay; 3 Recommendations from person to whom he or she is not related; A minimum 8 hours of observations in 2 different settings and rated by 2 OTR or COTA.
Pre-requisites	SPD1003 Success Strategies; ENGL1113 Composition I ENGL1123 Composition II MATH1023 College Algebra SOC2003 Intro to Sociology PSYC2003 General Psychology PSYC2033 Developmental Psychology PSYC2303 Abnormal Psychology BUS1003 Microcomputer Applications MED1453 Medical Terminology BIOL2064 Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL2074 Anatomy & Physiology II OTA1113 Intro to OTA.
Address	Medical Education Division 1411 N. Constitution Avenue Ashdown, AR 71822-8374 Email- theminger@cccua.edu
Website	www.cccua.edu/ota

#5 South Arkansas Community College (SACC)

The OTA School at SACC offers Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The school provides access to a highly competent, innovative, and supportive faculty and staff; modern facilities equipped with current technology.

South Arkansas Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	El Dorado campus
Public or Private-	Public institute
Program Director-	Meyer Cynthia
Course Duration-	—
Class Size	17 students per year
OTA Admission	Summer semester
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through college’s website.
Minimum Requirement	Reading – ACT 19 or above (or) ASSET 41 or above (or) COMPASS 82 or above (or) complete BSTD 0113 Reading Skills II. Writing – ACT 19 or above (or) ASSET 42 or above (or) COMPASS 75 or above (or) complete BSTD 0213 Fundamentals of Writing II. Math – ACT 19 or above (or) ASSET Intermediate Algebra Skills 43 or above (or) COMPASS 71 or above (or) complete BSTD 0513 Intermediate Algebra. SAS – A course required for all first-time, full-time degree-seeking students and students who test into two or more basic studies courses.
Pre-requisites	ENGL 1113 Composition I; ENGL 1123 Composition II; CSCI 1003 Computers and Information Processing; MATH 1023 College Algebra; SOCI 2003 Intro. to Sociology; PSYC 2003 General Psychology; PSYC 2223 Developmental Psychology; PSYC 2203 Abnormal Psychology; BIOL 2064 Anatomy and Physiology I; BIOL 206L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab; BIOL 2074 Anatomy and Physiology II; BIOL 207L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab; BIOL 2304 Kinesiology; BIOL 230L Kinesiology Lab; OCCU 1003 Introduction to Occupational Therapy. All the courses with a minimum C grade.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 311 South West Avenue El Dorado, AR 71730 Email- cmeyer@southark.edu
Website	www.southark.edu/ota

Occupational Therapy Schools in Arkansas-

There are 2 Occupational therapy schools which offer an entry-level Master of Science degree in OT or OTD. Master degree / Doctorate degree in OT is required to become an Occupational therapist.

List of OT schools-

1. Arkansas State University – Jonesboro
2. University of Central Arkansas

 Get complete info about the OT Schools in Arkansas

Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in Arkansas-

The job outlook for occupational therapy assistant is very good in Arkansas. Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities (as per the United States’ Bureau of Labor Statistics).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 260 employed and licensed occupational therapy Assistant in Arkansas in May 2017 and the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Arkansas for the occupational therapist (OT/OTR) and occupational therapy Assistant (OTA/COTA).

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Arkansas-

 Employment and salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistants vary based on work setting and geographical location. The current salary range in the local area is $37,000-$55,000 annually with an estimated 30% increase in jobs over the next 10 years. (Retrieved from http://swz.salary.com)

As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapy assistant in Arkansas was $56,000 (in 2017) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy assistants were $ 56,020 and $26.93 respectively in May 2017.