Train for a Career Helping People Live More Independently

Occupational therapy assistants help people of all ages build, regain, or maintain the skills they need for daily life.

RVCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS program prepares students to work as part of an occupational therapy team, providing support to individuals who may be recovering from injury, managing illness, living with disability, or facing developmental, physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges.

RVCC is the only community college in New Jersey offering an Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

About the Program

Occupational therapy assistants work under the direction of occupational therapists to help people participate more fully in everyday activities at home, school, work, and in the community.

OTA students learn how to support individuals across the lifespan, including children, adults, and older adults. The program combines classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and fieldwork experiences in community and clinical settings.

Occupational therapy assistants may work in settings such as:

  • Hospitals
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Outpatient facilities
  • Schools
  • Occupational therapy offices
  • Community-based healthcare centers
  • Behavioral health programs
  • Home health agencies

Program Format

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is an in-person, full-time day program.

The application cycle opens each July, and each accepted cohort begins in January.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant is 67 credits.

[Button: OTA Application Checklist]

[Button: Essential Skills & Functions]

Program Curriculum

The OTA curriculum includes general education courses, occupational therapy assistant courses, laboratory learning, and fieldwork experiences.

Students complete coursework in areas such as:

  • Introduction to occupational therapy
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Human development
  • Pediatric and adolescent occupational therapy
  • Psychosocial occupational therapy
  • Adult and geriatric physical rehabilitation
  • Kinesiology
  • Communication
  • Management and ethics
  • Fieldwork experiences
  • Professional preparation

Enrollment in OTAH courses is restricted to students formally admitted to the OTA program. A grade of C or better is required in all science and OTAH courses.

Program Admissions Information

This Associate of Applied Science degree earns 67 college credits. Link to application.

RVCC Admission Criteria

OTA Admissions Criteria

Graduation Requirements

General Tuition Information

OTA Admissions Procedure & Application Checklist

Essential Skills and Functions

Outcome Data

Graduation Rate for Raritan Valley Community College OTA Program

 

Calendar Year (January-December)

 

Graduates

Graduation Rate
2023

 

14/15

93%
2024

 

14/14

100%
2025

 

19/20

95%
 

Total Graduation Rate (Last 3 Years)

47/49

96%

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Program Data Results

For more information, contact Dr. Beau Younker, beau.younker@raritanval.edu

Felony Conviction Statement

The conviction of a felony may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.  NBCOT offers an Early Determination Review to individuals who have been charged with or convicted of a felony.

Further information regarding this issue can be obtained from:
National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy
1 Bank St
Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 990-7979
email: info@nbcot.org

Accreditation Resources

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Raritan Valley Community College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.  ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org .

Fieldwork Educator Resources

MOTEC of NY & NJ
AOTA Self-Assessment Tool
AOTA Fieldwork Data Form
Resources for FWE
CI Verification form Level I 2020
CI Verification form Level II
Free Preceptor Training Program

OTA Alumni

We love to keep in touch with our alumni. Update your contact information and receive updates on alumni events and current OTA happenings on and off campus!

Update Graduate Information

Graduate feedback survey

OTA Graduate Employer feedback survey

Program Curriculum

Explore what makes up the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

OTA Curriculum

Questions about the OTA Program?

Contact us for more information about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Email Dr. Beau Younker