Advance your career in occupational therapy with our flexible OTA Progression Program! Designed for licensed and certified OTAs with an associate’s degree, this program builds on your existing education and experience—helping you move toward your bachelor’s degree while continuing to work.
You’ll receive 30 college credits for your previous OTA coursework and certification, allowing you to fast-track your degree. Courses focus on advanced professional reasoning, leadership and management, professional development,and evidence-based practice.
The program is offered entirely online for maximum flexibility, though in-person options are available. Most students complete their degree in 1 to 2 years, depending on prior coursework and whether they study full- or part-time.
This program is ideal for working professionals—you can maintain your job while earning your degree. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for regular admission to this program, each applicant must present evidence of the following criteria:
- Official transcripts for all college work including a completed associate degree in occupational therapy assistant.
- A cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 or better in undergraduate academic course work.
- Licensure in the state they currently practice in.
Because admission is considered competitive, the academic criteria listed above should be considered as minimum standards.
Please note the following:
In the admission process, a formula is employed that assigns points for GPA and for the other admission topics. Admission to the program is based on the compilation of all points.
Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the professional occupational therapy assistant curriculum. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be sent to the University Admissions Office in time to be processed prior to the department deadline.
Eligible Occupational Therapy Assistant applicants must review their prior coursework and credits with the occupational therapy advisor before admission to the program. In addition to the occupational therapy assistant sequence of courses, students must complete the WMU Essential Studies/support course work prior to graduation from WMU.
Academic Credit Transfers
Graduates of community college associate degree and diploma programs will be awarded transfer credit on a course-by-course basis in accordance with University policies for prior WMU Essential Studies (WES), science and electives. An additional block of credits may be awarded for prior occupational therapy assistant study and successful NBCOT completion.
Program Requirements
Long-Term Care Administration Cognate (alternate paths of study may be chosen after discussion with OTA advisor) (15 hours)
- GRN 1000 - Introduction to Aging Studies Credits: 3 hours
- HSV 3700 - The Health System and Its Environment Credits: 3 hours
- HSV 4780 - U.S. Health Policy Credits: 3 hours
- (WES Level 3 LNP)
- HSV 4820 - Post-Acute Care Administration Credits: 3 hours
- REL 3180 - Death, Dying, and Beyond Credits: 4 hours
- (WES Level 3 GP)
OTA Coursework (15 hours)
- OT 3601 - Leadership for the OTA Credits: 3 hours
- OT 4640 - Professional Reasoning Credits: 3 hours
- OT 4700 - Functioning of the Older Adult Credits: 3 hours
- OT 3405 - Baccalaureate Project Design and Implementation Credits: 3 hours
- OT 4801 - Baccalaureate Project Presentation Credits: 3 hours
Baccalaureate Project Requirements
Under the guidance of an instructor, students will design and implement an in-depth baccalaureate project. The baccalaureate project serves as an avenue for students to apply their understanding of scholarly works while demonstrating knowledge gained throughout their experience and the OTA curriculum in one of the following areas: clinical practice skills, administration, leadership, advocacy, or education.
Benchmarks for all students admitted to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Professional Program
- Students will complete all required OT courses with a grade of “C” or better and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
- Students may repeat only one required professional course, and that course only once, to attain a grade of “C” or better.
- Students who fail to attain a grade of “C” or better in a professional course will be placed on departmental probation.
- Students who do not successfully complete departmental probation will be dismissed from the program.
- A second unsuccessful enrollment will result in dismissal from the program.
- The student must adhere to all departmental policies as established and provided in the Student Handbook at orientation.