Missouri · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Missouri
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Missouri has 8 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (6 associate, 2 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Missouri earn a median $66,070 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Missouri
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Methodist University Fayette | Bachelor’s | 100% | — | — | — |
| Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley Kansas City | Associate | 100% | — | — | — |
| Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield | Associate | 100% | About 2 years (4 semesters) | $12,897 | Fall (August) |
| St. Louis Community College-Forest Park St. Louis | Associate | 100% | — | — | — |
| St. Charles Community College Cottleville | Associate | 94% | — | — | — |
| Crowder College-Webb City Webb City | Associate | 92% | — | — | — |
| University of Missouri Columbia | Bachelor’s | 85% | — | — | June |
| Missouri Health Professions Consortium Sedalia | Associate | 76% | 1 year | — | August |
— = 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 Missouri
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Methodist University OTA bachelor's degree | Fayette | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Crowder College-Webb City OTA associate degree | Webb City | See program | See program | 92% ’25 | Accredited |
| Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley OTA associate degree | Kansas City | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| Missouri Health Professions Consortium OTA associate degree | Sedalia | 12 months (three 16-week semesters) | See program | 76% ’25 | Accredited |
| Ozarks Technical Community College Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Springfield | About 2 years (4 semesters) | Online courses + hybrid labs + in-person clinicals | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| St. Charles Community College OTA associate degree | Cottleville | See program | OTA classes in person (Dardenne Creek Campus); general education in person or online | 94% ’25 | Accredited |
| St. Louis Community College-Forest Park OTA associate degree | St. Louis | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Missouri Bachelor of Health Science – OTA | Columbia | See program | See program | 85% ’25 | Accredited |
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 Missouri
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 Missouri programs offer the most flexibility, based on the school’s own description or ACOTE’s distance-education figure:
- Missouri Health Professions Consortium (Sedalia) — ACOTE: 75-100% delivered by distance education
- Ozarks Technical Community College (Springfield) — format: Online courses + hybrid labs + in-person clinicals — ACOTE: 50-74% delivered by distance education
- St. Charles Community College (Cottleville) — format: OTA classes in person (Dardenne Creek Campus); general education in person or online
Pay in Missouri
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Missouri are licensed by the Missouri Board of Occupational Therapy. How to get licensed in Missouri → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Missouri?
ACOTE lists 8 occupational therapy assistant programs at 8 schools in Missouri: 6 associate-degree and 2 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Missouri?
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 Missouri?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Missouri was $66,070 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Missouri?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Missouri 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. Missouri has 10 OT programs; see OT schools in Missouri and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.