OTA associate degree
Lake Area Technical College OTA Program
OTA associate degree · Watertown, South Dakota Accredited
From the program’s website
- Program length
- 20 months (full-time)
Source quote
“a 20-month, full-time program”
Checked on the program’s website on October 8, 2026 by Deepam Pawar, OT.
From the ACOTE directory
- Accreditation status
- Accreditation
- Degree level
- OTA associate degree
- Institution type
- Public
- Share taught by distance education
- 1-24%
- Last ACOTE on-site review
- 2022/2023
- Next ACOTE on-site review
- 2032/2033
- Address
- 1201 Arrow Avenue, Watertown, SD 57201-0730
Fully accredited by ACOTE. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.
ACOTE directory retrieved October 9, 2026.
NBCOT exam results
88% of new graduates passed in 2025 · 89.7% average over the last 3 reported years
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91% | 92% | 93% | 88% | 88% |
Source: NBCOT school performance data, retrieved October 8, 2026. NBCOT counts new graduates who passed during the testing year, regardless of the number of attempts. Compare all programs’ pass rates.
Published program cost
- Total
- $21,342
Total includes estimated total program cost.
From the program’s published cost table on lakeareatech.edu. Excludes living costs unless stated. Compare OT program costs.
Before you apply
- Confirm the current application deadline and whether the program uses OTCAS or its own application.
- Ask for the program’s NBCOT pass rate and graduation rate; ACOTE requires programs to publish them, and NBCOT posts school results on its school performance page.
- Check prerequisite courses, observation hours and GPA minimums. See OT school prerequisites.
- Plan for full-time fieldwork (at least 16 weeks of Level II), often away from campus.
Lake Area Technical College OTA Program: FAQ
How long is Lake Area Technical College’s OTA program?
20 months (full-time), according to the program’s website (checked October 8, 2026).
What is Lake Area Technical College’s NBCOT pass rate?
88% of new graduates passed the NBCOT exam in 2025, and 89.7% on average over the last 3 reported years (NBCOT school performance data).
How much does Lake Area Technical College’s OTA program cost?
The program publishes a total cost of $21,342. Living costs are extra.
Is Lake Area Technical College’s OTA program accredited?
ACOTE lists it with status “Accredited” (directory retrieved October 9, 2026). Fully accredited by ACOTE. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.
Pay in South Dakota
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
Licensing in South Dakota is handled by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners. How to get licensed in South Dakota →