Independence is so important. Helping others maintain or regain theirs is what you – and this degree – are all about.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
100%
Student Satisfaction
100% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$55k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $54,984.
57
Graduates from 2020 - 2022
With a 3 year average graduation rate of 77%

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Occupational Therapy Assistant
Program Number: 105141
Your Degree: Associate Degree
Estimated Time to Complete: 70 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
Delivery Method: Some Online/Some In Person
Area of Study: Health Sciences
Estimated Program Cost: $12,450.93
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
  • Program Overview

    Occupational therapy assistants (OTA) work with individuals across the lifespan, whose ability to participate in everyday activities is complicated by developmental disability, physical and/or emotional illness, injury or aging.

    The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Madison College will train you to work with occupational therapists in helping individuals improve functionality, quality of life and independence.

    Please note that after acceptance to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, you will be required to complete a background check and provide documentation of current required immunizations and current Healthcare Provider CPR certification. Further information about these requirements will be shared at program orientation.

    Madison College students report 100 percent satisfaction with our two-year Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program.

    • "The OTA classes are very relevant and instructors are very experienced."
    • "We get practical information and see the full scope of OT."
    • "This program is flexible, practical, and gets you where you want to go."
    • "We see OT in practice in a wide variety of settings from pediatric to geriatric."
    • "The Health Education Center at the Truax campus is beautiful and state-of- the-art."

    Program Details

    Wisconsin law requires background checks for persons who provide care for others or have access to people who receive care. This law applies to students in many School of Health Sciences programs. Please review the Caregiver Background Check information on the School of Health Sciences Forms and Policies. A felony conviction may impact a graduate's eligibility for certification and credentialing. 

    Students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program can attend full or part time.

    Courses are scheduled on weekdays.

    Hybrid courses include weekly in-person instruction and asynchronous online work. 

    In-Person Occupational Therapy Assistant instruction is offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Handbook.

    Your Advantages at Madison College

    • Study in our state-of-the-art Health Education Center, including a simulated patient home where students practice teaching everyday skills.
    • Learn with top faculty for personalized attention and real-world learning.
    • Benefit from a series of on-site clinical practicums at local health facilities.
    • Spend less than $13,000 for total tuition and program costs for your Madison College degree.

    OTA Careers

    Occupational therapy assistants are employed in community settings providing mental health, residential care and home health, and work-related services as well as in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.

    Earning your associate degree in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for a range of professional positions in the field of occupational therapy, including:

    • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
    • Adult day care coordinator
    • Activities coordinator
    • Community support worker
    • Life skills trainer
    • Durable medical equipment coordinator
    • Job coach
    • Family support worker
    • Supported employment specialist

    With additional education and/or work experience, Occupational Therapy Assistant Program graduates may find employment as:

    • Assisted living program coordinator/ manager
    • Case manager
    • Community-based residential facility manager
    • Assistive technology provider

    Graduation Rates

    This table outlines the number of students who started the program and how many of them ultimately graduated. 

    Graduation Year# of Students Started vs GraduatedGraduation Rate
    202123/1983%
    202227/2281%
    202320/1680%
    Total70/5781%

    The total number of graduates from Madison College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program during the 3-year period 2020-2022 was 57 with an overall graduation rate of 77%. 

    The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) provides program data results.

    Occupational Therapy Assistant Accreditation
    The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

     

     

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    Pre-Occupational Therapy Assistant Courses
    The following course must be completed prior to acceptance into Occupational Therapy courses:
    10-806-177
    4 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-809-198
    3 credits
    First Semester
    Second Semester
    10-514-174
    4 credits
    10-514-175
    3 credits
    10-514-176
    3 credits
    10-514-178
    3 credits
    10-809-159
    3 credits
    10-801-198
    3 credits
    Summer Semester
    10-809-188
    3 credits
    10-809-172
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-514-179
    2 credits
    10-514-189
    4 credits
    10-514-190
    4 credits
    10-514-184
    2 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-514-185
    2 credits
    10-514-186
    5 credits
    10-514-187
    5 credits
  • Admission

    Apply Now - Secure Your Spot in Pre-Program!

    This program operates on a petition process. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete petition requirements and go through the petition process.

    Before submitting an application, be sure to:

    • Review the Petition section.
    • Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
    • Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-1 year wait time between acceptance into pre-program and the start of core classes. The estimated time to enter the core program is subject to change based on the variable number of students ready to petition each semester.
    • Make sure you can meet the program’s essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations, contact our Disability Resource Services office.  

    Additional Notes

    Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, petition requirements, and complete the petition process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.


    Beginning Fall 2026 – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!

    This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.

    Before submitting an application, be sure to:

    • Review the Waiting List section.
    • Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements.
    • Estimated Wait Time: Up to 0-1 year wait time between when students are core ready and when they become eligible to enroll in program classes. This timeline may vary depending on how many students complete the declaration process each semester.
    • Program Capacity: 25 spots each Fall semester
    • Make sure you can meet the program’s essential functions safely, reliably and efficiently within the scope of practice. If you need accommodations, contact our Disability Resource Services office.  

    Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application. 

    Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals! 

    Additional Notes

    Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.

    Questions?

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Occupational Therapy Assistant career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Waiting List

    Beginning Fall 2026

    This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.  

    This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.  

    Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which academic preparedness requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements. 

    Mandatory workshop in Brightspace

    Prerequisites:

    • Algebra (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree in a related biological science)
    • Chemistry (high school or college coursework)
    • Biology (high school or college coursework)
    • English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)

    Course Requirements: 

    • General Anatomy and Physiology
    • Written Communication or English 1
    • Introduction to Psychology 

    Questions? 

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210

  • Petition

    This program uses a petition process to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A petition process helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.

    This program has petition requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all petition requirements, you will complete the petition process.  

    Pre-program students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which petition requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.

    Mandatory workshop in Brightspace

    Prerequisites:

    • Algebra (testing, college coursework or bachelor’s degree in a related biological science)
    • Chemistry (high school or college coursework)
    • Biology (high school or college coursework)
    • English and Reading (testing, college coursework or bachelor's degree)

    Course Requirements: 

    • General Anatomy and Physiology
    • Written Communication or English 1
    • Introduction to Psychology 

    Petitioning

    Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.

    After Petitioning

    If awarded a seat, you will receive instructions regarding the required items below. If you do not complete the required items, it may result in losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning.

    Questions? 

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    This program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-W and WTCS assures the acceptance of an applied associate degree in an allied health clinical and diagnostic field (see APPENDIX A, 60 to 71 credits) from any WTCS institution, into the UW-W Bachelor of Science-Health and Leadership Studies (HeALS) program (minimum 120 credits). Students transferring under the guidelines of this articulation agreement must: have earned an applied associate degree in an allied health program through WTCS with a grade point average of 2.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) including coursework from other institutions (if appropriate), and according to UW-W repeat policy.Have applied to and are successfully admitted into UW-W (all UW-W application deadlines apply) beginning fall 2025 and any subsequent terms.

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Demonstrate professional behaviors, ethical standards, values and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession.
    • Practice within the distinct role and responsibility of the occupational therapy assistant.
    • Advocate for the profession, services and consumers.
    • Value lifelong learning and the need to keep current with best practices.
    • Apply occupational therapy principles and intervention tools to achieve expected outcomes
    • Serve a diverse population in a variety of systems that are consistent with entry-level practice.
    • Serve individuals across the life span whose ability to participate in everyday occupations is complicated by developmental disability, physical and/or emotional illness, injury or aging. Occupations are the activities of daily life that have value to individuals and help them be contributing members of their communities.
    • Use purposeful activities to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills needed to function.
    • Offer alternative approaches and adaptations to compensate when needed.
    • Promote the balance of self-care, work and leisure activities that results in the quality of life and level of independence valued by the individual.
    • Collaborate with occupational therapists.
    • Work in community settings providing mental health, residential care and home health and work-related services as well as in nursing homes, hospitals and schools.

    Accreditation/Credentialing

    The Madison Area Technical College associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is 301.652.6611 and its website is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

    ***Students must complete 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 18 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.

    The total number of graduates from the Madison Area Technical College Occupational Therapy Assistant program from 2020-2022 was 57, with an overall graduation rate of 77%.

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202220232024
      Number of Program Graduates261716
      Number of Surveys Sent251716
      Number of Surveys Returned231110
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment221110
      Percent Available for Employment95.7%100.0%100.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market4.3%0.0%0.0%
      Available for Employment

      202220232024
      Graduates Employed1799
      Percent of Graduates Employed77.3%81.8%90.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation1368
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation76.5%66.7%88.9%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation431
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation23.5%33.3%11.1%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment521
      Percent Seeking Employment22.7%18.2%10.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202220232024
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.33.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses231110
      Very Satisfied (4)1536
      Percent Very Satisfied65.2%27.3%60.0%
      Satisfied (3)784
      Percent Satisfied30.4%72.7%40.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)100
      Percent Unsatisfied4.3%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202220232024
      Number of Primary Reason Responses231110
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202220232024
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses1799
      Before Enrollment322
      Percent Before Enrollment17.6%22.2%22.2%
      While Attending the College010
      Percent While Attending the College0.0%11.1%0.0%
      After Training at the College1467
      Percent After Training at the College82.4%66.7%77.8%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202220232024
      Number of Employment Location Responses1799
      In College District1256
      Percent In College District70.6%55.6%66.7%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District331
      Percent of In Wisconsin17.6%33.3%11.1%
      Outside of Wisconsin212
      Percent Outside Wisconsin11.8%11.1%22.2%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202220232024
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count935
      Average Monthly Wage$4,206$4,587$4,582
      Average Hourly Wage$24.45$26.67$26.64
      Average Work Hours per Week40.641.837.8
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count212
      Average Hourly Wage$27.00$22.00$19.75
      Average Work Hours per Week27.722.027.3
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Downers Grove Park DistrictNatural Areas InstructorDowners GroveIL
      Four Winds ManorCertified Occupational Therapy AssistantVerona
      Madison Metropolitan School DistrictSpecial Education Assistant
      Mendota Mental Health InstituteCertified Occupational Therapy Assistant
      PAM HealthOccupational Therapy AssistantWausau
      Symbria RehabCertified Occupational Therapy AssistantWarrenvilleIL
      Transitions at HomeOTA/CaregiverMount Horeb

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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Contact the School of Health Sciences

Madison Truax Campus
Health Building, 141

1705 Hoffman Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

healthsciences@madisoncollege.edu
608.616.1250

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 12 pm (Help by phone or email)