Occupational Therapy Assistant (A.S.)
School of Health Sciences

Flexible Learning Format with convenient, accessible scheduling through online or classroom adult-oriented learning environments. Regional Accreditation — The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Affordable Tuition — Full-time financial aid availability and reasonable costs. Faculty — Academic credentials and real-world experience. Cohort Program - complete the program major with the same group of peers from start to finish.

Why choose Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)?
Creative people who enjoy working in the medical profession are often drawn to OTA; many of our students have backgrounds in psychology or the arts. If you’re flexible and enjoy helping others, a 2-year Associate degree in occupational therapy may be just the career you’re seeking.

Why choose MSU for OTA?
Unique: MSU offers the only OTA program in the state of West Virginia, and our program is designed for maximum flexibility. Students who cannot attend classes on a full-time basis are able to complete the program on a part-time schedule.

Active student organization: The MSU student OTA group is very active and has traveled to national conventions several times since 1998. Our students are our best ambassadors to the community, and we send them out proudly.

Award-winning faculty: Our Program Director received the “Occupational Therapist of the Year” award in West Virginia this year. With over 20 years of OT experience, she is a frequent presenter at national conventions. (Oh, and we hire from within. Another faculty member is a graduate of the program and currently working on her master’s degree.)

Good practice opportunities. We keep the size of our classes small, so as you move from book-learning to hands-on, you can get some real experience. Multiple sections of the hands-on portions of our classes ensure that you’ll get enough time to practice the various methods and techniques.

Career options
The job market for OTA graduates is excellent right now. As the only OTA program in the state, MSU graduates have opportunities around West Virginia to work in a range of settings and with a variety of populations.

From the elderly to the young, from psychiatric patients to injured workers, graduates work in wellness centers, rehab organizations, outpatient clinics, and university settings. Salaries range from $15.00 an hour with full benefits to $25.00 an hour.

Some students pursue a master’s degree directly from the associate’s degree; several bridge programs in the area make this possible.

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