Occupational Therapy Assistant, B.S.

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the occupational therapy assistant program complete a minimum of 120 credits for the B.S. degree. Students complete 60 credits of OTA courses, taken in 7 semesters across the second, third, and fourth years. The program requires one summer semester of OTA courses following the third year, and it is offered completely online.

Students are required to complete three level I fieldwork experiences concurrently with coursework. In the final semester, students must complete two full-time, 8-week fieldwork experiences in two distinct occupational therapy settings supervised by a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

All courses in the curriculum must be completed with a cumulative grade point average of B or higher to earn the OTA-B degree.

Students must design and implement a baccalaureate project in the fall of their fourth year. It should demonstrate in-depth knowledge in one of the following areas as required by accreditation:

• practice skills
• administration
• leadership
• advocacy
• education

Students are encouraged to explore electives, minors, and certificates that support their learning in the OTA program and their future career goals.

Recommended Course Sequence

OTA courses are integrative by design and must be taken in a specific sequence.

Program Policies

In addition to general policies described in Academic Policies, specific policies of this program are as follows:

Personal health insurance is required for all students enrolled in the program.

Students are required to become members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

As part of Level I and II fieldwork placements, students are required to complete an annual criminal background check and fingerprinting. If a student has been convicted of a felony and is uncertain if that conviction will jeopardize potential board certification, the student should participate in NBCOT’s Character Review Process and should complete the Early Determination Review to determine eligibility to sit for the NBCOT exam (required for licensure). Students also should check with the Maine State Licensure Bureau regarding eligibility for certification and licensure for the state.

Students must complete 16 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as a baccalaureate project within 12 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements. 

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.