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Students practicing occupational therapy techniques at Thomas Jefferson University's East Falls campus, preparing for careers as occupational therapy assistants.

Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy (ASOT), East Falls

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  1. Return to Home
  2. Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences
  3. Departments, Divisions, & Programs
  4. Department of Occupational Therapy
  5. Degrees & Programs

Explore this Section

  • About the Profession
  • Curriculum
  • Accreditation
  • Admissions Information
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us

A career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant will challenge you as you help people experience the fullness of life, and is a strong and steadily growing healthcare field.

At a Glance

  • College

    College of Rehabilitation Sciences

  • Degree

    Associate

  • Campus

    East Falls

  • Format

    Hybrid (Online and On Campus)

  • Credits

    69

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, or COTAs, work in collaboration with occupational therapists to provide hands-on services to people of all ages who are learning or relearning ways to succeed in the occupations of life: any tasks one may do daily for work or leisure.

In the AS in Occupational Therapy program, accelerated, experiential, self-directed learning is guided by faculty and mentors active in the profession, preparing you to practice in an array of settings and to sit for the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) examination.

Be Real-World Ready.

The Jefferson Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy program features five 8-week terms per year, with classes Tuesday and Thursday evenings and some Saturday mornings. Additional learning and activities occur through an online format. In addition to active classroom learning, the program includes a strong clinical component, with five total clinical fieldwork experiences required. The first three placements are part-time (36 hours per term), and the final two terms consist of two 8-week, full-time clinical placements—preparing you for your transition into the field.

Hear From Our Students

Quadeera is a pediatric certified occupational therapist assistant and an alumna of the Jefferson Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy (ASOT) program at East Falls, Class of Fall 2021.

She served as an officer for the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) and the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) during the completion of her degree. Quadeera was awarded the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) Student Scholarship Award in 2022 and has been an inspiration as a mentor to students in recent cohorts.

Hear from Quadeera about her experience in the Jefferson ASOT program related to her accommodations for success!

Hi there! I’m Zach, and I’m excited to share that I’m in my final year of the ASOT program, proudly representing the class of 2025. My journey began with a bachelor's in business administration from Temple University back in 2016. After exploring various industries and roles, I made the big decision to enroll in this program, which has truly sparked a rewarding career change for me. My experience helping a family member recover from a life-changing surgery opened my eyes to the incredible field of occupational therapy and the vital role these practitioners play in the rehabilitation process.  The ASOT program has been a challenging and rewarding process, allowing me to successfully build new skills with the full support of the professors and staff at Jefferson. I am extremely interested in working in the field of pediatrics after graduation with plans of possibly owning my own business in the future! 

Annie is a certified occupational therapy assistant and an alumnus of the Associates of Science in Occupational Therapy(ASOT) Program in East Falls (Class of 2013). Since earning her degree, she has worked with individuals across the lifespan in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Annie joined the Jefferson ASOT program in 2014, initially serving as a lab assistant and teaching assistant. Today she supports students full time as the OTA Educational Coordinator for the Jefferson ASOT program. Discover how Annie’s Journey through the Jefferson ASOT program transformed her life and her career. 

Program Outcomes

Thomas Jefferson University Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam can be found on their website.

Learn More about Program Outcomes

Cost of Attendance

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (Associate of Science in OT) is an accelerated two-year hybrid program comprised of classroom and laboratory instruction and clinical education rotations. 

The Fact Sheet contains additional institutional information. For questions, contact Financial.Aid@jefferson.edu

Accreditation Information

The Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Jefferson ASOT Program is currently on Probationary Accreditation as of March 23, 2024, due to non-compliance with Standard A.6.4 (Certification Exam Pass Rate). The program has implemented a strong plan of correction related to preparing students for success on the NBCOT exam. As a result, the Program's NBCOT exam pass rate was 90% for 2023 and 92% for 2024.

ACOTE, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD  20814 
Phone: 301-652-6611  |  https://www.acoteonline.org/

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. NBCOT Program Data Results.

For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Get in Touch

Leadership

Name: Sara J. Loesche, MS, OTR/L, CHT, CEAS
Position:
  • Program Director, Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Program
  • Associate Professor

4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144

Email: Sara.Loesche@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-951-0488
  • JCRS Facebook

Contact Admissions

Email: enroll@jefferson.edu
Contact Number(s):
  • 215-951-2800
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