AAS in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Arkansas State University Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is a competitive-admission program that accepts up to 30 students each August.  The professional program is considered a lock-step, 100% face-to-face, full time program. The program completed in one academic year, beginning in August. (3 semesters - Fall, Spring & Summer.)  

eligibility requirements

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above in all college coursework
• Complete all OTA prerequisites with a course grade of B or higher. (Listed below)
• Demonstrate English proficiency, if foreign born (TOEFL score of 79 or higher)
• 2 professional references letters.
• A letter of application that shows an understanding of the OT profession.
• Resume submissions of:
  • Volunteer experiences
  • Leadership experiences

 

To be considered, all applications must be completed through the OTACAS system (see OTA application instructions) and submitted by March 1 at 5 p.m. Students will be notified by letter of their status through email no later than May 1 at 5 p.m.

• Evidence of Hepatitis B immunization or signed declination statement
• Copy of valid health insurance
• Copy of professional liability insurance

prerequisite courses

If you are applying from another university, the course titles may be different. Contact the OTD program to see if your courses are acceptable. Course descriptions for Arkansas State University are in the undergraduate bulletin at www.astate.edu/registrar 

Biology:

• BIO 2203 & 2201: Human Anatomy and
  Physiology I & Lab
  
  

Math:

• MATH 1023: College Algebra
  
  

Psychology:

• PSY 2013: Intro to Psychology
• PSY 2133: Developmental Psychology
  or
• PSY 2233: Abnormal Psychology

English:

• ENG 1003 & 1013: English Composition I & II
  
  

Political Science & History

•  POSC 2103 Intro to US Government
  or
• HIST 2763: US History to 1876
  or
• HIST 2773: US History since 1876
  
  

University & Computer Science

As of July 1, 2025, the application process for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at A-State will be an online process through OTACAS. OTACAS is a centralized application system that allows applicants to apply to multiple schools through submission of one application. There is a one-time, $25.00 application fee associated with the OTACAS system. The applicant may apply to multiple programs with this fee. The fee is paid directly to OTACAS and no part of the fee is received by the program. The fee is non-refundable and is not based on admission decisions.

Instructions for use of OTACAS

Login or create an account with OTACAS

Answer all the questions with your personal information.

Click the year that you plan to start the OTA program.

3. Once you have created an account and have logged in click on the “Add Program” tab at the top of your dashboard.
4. Search for “Arkansas State University, Occupational Therapy Assistant” Click on the program to read about our admission criteria.
5. If you want to continue to apply to the A-State OTA program click on the “+” button beside the program name. Then click “Continue.”
6. You will be prompted to pay the $25 fee for application. Please note that this is a one-time fee that is non-refundable and is paid to OTACAS directly. You can apply to as many programs as you wish through the OTACAS system using this one-time fee of $25.
7. Once you have paid the fee you will go back to the “My application” tab and begin working through the four areas until they are completed.
   1. Personal Information: Be sure to complete all questions in this section.
   2. Academic History: High School attended and any College attended (even through concurrent credit) is required to enter. Transcripts must be provided for each college attended. Continuing Education Courses are optional. GPA entries should be provided for all OTA prerequisites. No standardized test scores are required. You can simply click “I am not adding any standardized tests.”
   3. Supporting Information: Two professional recommendations are required. You will provide the contact information of your recommendations and OTACAS will send them a survey to complete as well as a space to provide a letter of recommendation. Please ensure that contact information and email addresses are correct before submitting. Licenses and/or certifications are not required but will be considered during your application. A CV/Resume is required and should be provided and include the following information:

Resume Instructions:

Your resume can be in any professional format, but should include the following information:

• Name (First, Middle, Last)
• A-State Student ID Number (Note: all applicants must also be accepted into A-State prior to submission of application)
• Email Address
• Address (s) Street address, city, state, zip o Permanent Address o Local Address (If different from permanent)
• Phone Number(s) o Permanent o Cell o Work
• High School and Secondary Education
  • List all past and present secondary institutions attended; list the most recent first in reverse chronological order.
• Work Experience o List all past and present work experience; list the most recent first
• Extracurricular Activities
• Volunteer or Service Learning experiences; list most recent first and include responsibility
  • For volunteer hours, please include name of coordinator or contact person, contact number and/or email, number of hours served and specific duties, just as you would list work experience.
• Leadership Experiences; list most recent first and include responsibilities.
  • Leadership is defined as leading a group of people or receiving a distinguished award.
• The following items are optional – provide as applicable:
  • Awards and honors received.
  • Special skills: knowledge of technology, special certification or skills
  • Conferences, seminars or continuing education programs attended (list the most recent first)
  • Other information that might be valuable for evaluation purposes. Observation hours are not required for the OTA program at A-State.
• Program Materials: Click on the A-State OTA program. Click the questions tab, documents tab, and prerequisites tab and complete all required items.

 

Once you have completed the full application, return to the main dashboard and click the tab marked “Submit Application” at the top. Locate the program name (Arkansas State University) and then click the “Submit” button. Please note that all submissions are final and all applications must be submitted by March 1^st of each academic year to be considered for the following August.

Any questions regarding the OTA Program Admission Criteria should be directed to the OTA Program Director, Andrea Brown, at anbrown@astate.edu

Any questions regarding technical difficulties or questions about the OTACAS system should be directed to OTACAS at: support@otacas.myliaison.com

applicant grading

Application to the OTA program will be available on OTACAS starting on July 17, 2025 and admission to the A-State OTA program is determined by the applicant’s scores based on the following:

• Overall college GPA: The minimum GPA requirement is a 2.75. Applicants with less than a 2.75 will not be considered for admission. (0-4 points)
• Prerequisite GPA: A separate GPA is calculated from the applicant’s prerequisite scores. All listed prerequisite courses must be completed with a course average of a B or higher. Please note that all prerequisites do not have to be completed at the time of application submission but must either be in progress or the applicant must have a plan for completion prior to the start of the program. (0-4 points)
• Service/Volunteer Experience: Service/Volunteer is defined by the program as “unpaid work”. The experiences do not have to be related to occupational therapy or healthcare but should demonstrate the ability for the applicant to serve others. This information will be reflected in the applicant’s resume. Both the quality and quantity of the experiences are considered. (0-4 points)
• Leadership Experience: Leadership is defined by the program as “leading a group of people”. Leadership experiences do not have to be related to occupational therapy or healthcare but should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to lead others and take on leadership roles. This information will be reflected in the applicant’s resume. Both the quality and quantity of the experiences are considered. (0-4 points)
• Writing Sample: A writing sample is reviewed to determine 1) the applicant’s knowledge of the occupational therapy profession and 2) the applicant’s ability to produce professional writing. (Content: 0-1 point, Grammar/Professional Writing: 0-3 points)
• Overall Impression: An overall score is provided that considers both the applicant’s academic history and personal traits and characteristics provided throughout the full application. (0-4 points)

 

In order to submit your application following the directions below carefully. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You may use your account to work on the application as you are able. Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting.

The final deadline for your application to be submitted is March 1. Applications received after the due date will not be considered without explicit permission from the OTA program director. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision through email no later than May 1^st.

Fieldwork Requirements:

OTA students are required to complete approximately 3-6 hours per week of Level I Fieldwork experience throughout the Fall semester,  and during the first seven weeks of the Spring semester. These fieldwork experiences are led primarily by faculty, who assess the student’s ability to demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills. By the midterm point in the Spring semester, students complete their clinical coursework and participate in a final exit interview, and overall evaluation of clinical skills and competency before being released for Level II Fieldwork. OTA students must successfully complete two 8-week clinical fieldwork experiences with a licensed, certified occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapist before they are eligible to graduate from the program. The first Level II Fieldwork placement occurs in the second half of the Spring semester, and the second Level II placement occurs during Summer Sessions I and II. Each Level II Fieldwork counts as a five credit hour course and is pass/fail. Please note that Level II Fieldwork placements are determined through a lottery system and students are not guaranteed a local clinical placement. Costs incurred during Level II Fieldwork are the student’s responsibility.

Certification and Licensure Requirements:

An occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree is granted to the student upon successful completion of 28 semester hours of prerequisite coursework and 36 professional core hours. The OTA Program delivers these 36 core hours over the course of one year in a lock-step format, graduating a class every August. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the national credentialing examination (COTA Exam) offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After passing this examination, the graduate will be a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). All states require licensure to practice occupational therapy, and proof of this certification is required in the licensure application process. Occupational therapy assistants practice under the clinical supervision of a Licensed, Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR/L).

 

FRESHMEN STUDENTS

Freshmen applicants who meet one of the following criteria will receive automatic admission to Arkansas State. While you have to meet minimum criteria, test scores are still required:

• 3.00 cumulative high school grade point average (or GED test score equivalent)
• 19 minimum ACT super score or minimum 990 combined SAT super score
• Class rank in the top 20% of applicant's graduating class
• A holistic application review process

Admitted freshmen who require remediation (based on entrance exam scores) or who have less than a 3.00 cumulative high school GPA will be required to participate in the Transition Studies leadership based support program throughout their enrollment at Arkansas State University

ADMISSION APPEALS

Freshmen applicants who do not meet automatic admission standards may be admitted to the university upon approval of the Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Committee. Freshmen approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Committee will participate in the Transition Studies leadership-based support program. In addition to an official high school transcript and official entrance exam scores, submit to the committee:

• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose answering the following prompts:
  • Why is A-State a good fit for you and your educational goals?
  • What are your academic and personal strengths and how do you plan to grow as a student at A-State?
  • What experiences outside of the classroom impact or had an impact on your academic performance.

Documents must be submitted at least two weeks before the start of classes for the semester.

FRESHMAN ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official High School Transcript
• Official ACT/SAT Score
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

TRANSFER STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Transfer students are encouraged to apply for admissions the semester prior to enrolling in classes. You must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA on ALL transfer work. Students still in high school who have earned college credit should apply as a freshman.

TRANSFER ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all colleges attended (emailed attachments and faxes will not be accepted)
• Completion of English Comp I and College Algebra OR official entrance exam scores
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Individuals who wish to pursue courses of special interest without submitting academic credentials may register for a maximum of six hours per semester (or three per summer term) accumulating up to 12 semester hours of undergraduate non-degree credit. Thereafter, non-degree students must comply with university admissions requirements or obtain a written waiver from the Registrar.

CAUTION: Non-degree students should not enroll in courses that are required in the general education program. Courses taken for non-degree credit are not acceptable toward a degree unless validated later by the student's meeting all conditions for admission to the university, including remediation requirements.

Non-degree students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as other students. Non-degree students are generally not eligible to participate in financial aid programs. Due to specific enrollment limitations, non-degree students may not register through the university's web registration system.

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

POST-DEGREE STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have earned a bachelor's degree and plan to enroll in additional undergraduate coursework should apply as a post-degree student. This includes students who earned a bachelor's degree at A-State.

POST-DEGREE ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript where the bachelor's degree was received
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

RETURNING (READMIT) STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have previously attended A-State but have not completed a bachelor's degree should apply as a readmit student. If you earned credit at A-State while still in high school, you should apply as a freshman or transfer student. Students who attended A-State and then attended another college should apply as a readmit student and submit the transcript from another institution.

RETURNING ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Completion of English Comp I and College Algebra OR entrance exam scores
• Official College Transcript (If attended another institution after you attended A-State)
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

TRANSIENT STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have not earned a bachelor's degree who are enrolled at another institution and plan to transfer coursework back to their home institution should apply as a transient student. Transient students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as other students. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships.

TRANSIENT ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript from currently enrolled college or letter of good standing
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

CONCURRENT STUDENTS

The A-State Concurrent Program is a partnership between the university and high schools to offer qualified high school students the opportunity to satisfy both high school and university credit requirements simultaneously through specific concurrent credit courses.

1. TAKE A CAMPUS TOUR

Learn about all A-State has to offer while visiting campus! We have a great team of student Chancellor's Ambassadors who love showing future students around the place they call home. To schedule a campus visit, click the link below and select the type of tour, date, and time that works best for you.

Schedule a tour online >>

2. COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Please complete an online admissions application. Click the link "Create an account" under the First-Time User heading. You will be emailed a temporary PIN number for your initial log in. Then you can set a new password. This will allow you to log in at any time and check your application status. For more detailed instructions, please check our UG application guide.

Go to the online application >>

3. SUBMIT A $30 NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE

You will pay the application fee online when completing your application. To apply for an application fee waiver, please submit the Undergraduate Application Fee Waiver Request Form.

4. REQUEST OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

Once you've applied, have your high school send us your transcript. This is typically handled through your high school counseling office. Also, if you've taken any concurrent enrollment college courses, have those official transcripts sent as well.

Official transcripts can be sent electronically through school-verified sites or mailed to:

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration - Arkansas State University
P.O. Box 1800
State University, AR 72467

5. SEND OFFICIAL TEST SCORES

Prospective students may use the following submission methods:

• High School Transcripts and Test Scores:
  All high school transcripts, ACT scores, and SAT scores must be sent directly from the high school or issuing institution, either via mail or electronically, to be considered official.
  Examples of school-verified electronic sources:
  • TRIAND
  • EDI
  • eScript
  • Scoir
  • Slate.org
  • Parchment
  Alternatively, these documents can be mailed directly from the high school to:
  Office of Admissions - Arkansas State University
  P.O. Box 1800 | State University, AR 72467
  If a student hand-delivers a transcript or test scores, they must be in a sealed envelope from the institution to be considered official.
• College Transcripts and Test Scores:
  All college transcripts must be sent directly from the institution via mail or electronically to be considered official.
  Accuplacer scores must come directly from the institution or College Board to be considered official.
  If a student hand-delivers transcripts or test scores, they must be in a sealed envelope from the institution to be considered official.
• Documents Received by A-State Admissions Counselors:
  Transcripts, test scores and shot records received by A-State Admissions Counselors during school visits should be uploaded directly into Slate. These documents are considered official if:
  • They are received directly from a school official.
  • They are received from the student in a sealed, school-branded envelope.
  • The Admissions Counselor who receives these documents must attest to their authenticity.
• Proof of MMR Immunization:
  Students may submit proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunization directly. These documents are not required to be in a sealed envelope.
• Official Test Scores:
  ACT Scores:
  ACT scores can be sent directly to Arkansas State University via the high school or through Encoura. For more information on how to send ACT scores, visit ACT Score Sending.
  
  SAT Scores:
  SAT scores can be sent directly via the high school or through the College Board. For details on sending SAT scores, please refer to SAT Score Sending.
  
  Accuplacer Scores:
  Accuplacer scores can be sent directly by the testing administrator at the testing site, the College Board, or through the A-State Testing Center. For more information, visit Accuplacer Score Information.

6. SUBMIT TWO MMR (MUMPS, RUBELLA & RUBEOLA/MEASLES) RECORDS

MMR records are not required for admissions but must be submitted to enroll in on-campus courses.

Upload a copy of your MMR records to your application or have MMR records sent to:

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration - Arkansas State University
P.O. Box 1800

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is committed to the development of exceptionally safe, ethical, and culturally aware occupational therapy practitioners who focus on the unique occupational needs of the client, communities, and populations and who aspire to be life-long learners, advocates, and leaders in the field of occupational therapy within the state of Arkansas and the lower Mississippi Delta region.