Top 10 Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools In Illinois

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) help people of all ages who have physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities to participate in everyday activities. If you’re looking for a career that is both challenging and rewarding, then becoming an OTA may be the perfect choice for you. Illinois has several great schools that offer occupational therapy assistant programs. Keep reading to learn more about them!

Black Hawk College

Black Hawk College is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois that offers an Associate Degree. The program is still in the applicant status, but it is expected to be completed within a year. The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Black Hawk College is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in occupational therapy. The program will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. The program will also prepare students for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the Illinois State Licensure Exam. After completing the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the national exam and become certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Applicant
• 6600 34th AvenueMoline IL 61265309-796-5049
• bushr@bhc.edu
• Next on-site: 2026/2027

Fox College

Fox College is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in IIllinois that is in Accreditation status. Theparagraph below gives information about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Fox College. Located in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Fox College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed to prepare students to work as an assistant to an occupational therapist in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. The program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, psychology, and sociology, as well as hands-on training in areas such as patient assessment, therapeutic interventions, and documentation. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Fox College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is currently in Candidacy Status with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Candidacy Status is an accreditation status of pre-contemplation signifying that a program is preparing for accreditation but has not yet been reviewed by ACOTE. For more information on ACOTE’s accreditation

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Private Profit
• Status: Accreditation
• 18020 Oak Park AvenueTinley Park IL 60477708-444-4500
• mdeloughery@foxcollege.edu
• Last on-site: 2016/2017
• Next on-site: 2023/2024

Illinois Central College-Peoria Campus

Illinois Central College-Peoria Campus is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois that is still in the process of gaining accreditation. The school offers an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy. The curriculum for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Illinois Central College-Peoria Campus includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, psychology, and sociology. The program also includes clinical experiences to help prepare students for a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Although the school is not yet accredited, it is well on its way to becoming a fully accredited institution. In the meantime, students at Illinois Central College-Peoria Campus can be assured that they are receiving a quality education that will prepare them for a rewarding career in Occupational Therapy.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• 5407 North University StreetPeoria IL 61635309-690-7530
• jennifer.haines@icc.edu
• Last on-site: 2017/2018
• Next on-site: 2027/2028

Lewis & Clark Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in IIllinois are accredited by the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The Commission on Accreditation in Occupational Therapy Education (COTA) is an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Lewis & Clark Community College is currently in Candidacy Status, which is the first step in the accreditation process. Candidacy Status indicates that the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program meets the eligibility requirements for accreditation but has not yet been through the full accreditation process. The next step in the accreditation process is Accreditation-Provisional, which is granted to programs that demonstrate compliance with all accreditation standards. Lewis & Clark Community College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for successful careers as occupational therapy assistants.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• Division of Health Sciences, 5800 Godfrey RoadGodfrey IL 62035-2466618-468-4419
• dwitsken@lc.edu
• Last on-site: 2012/2013
• Next on-site: 2022/2023

Lincoln Land Community College

Lincoln Land Community College is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois that is still in the process of being accredited. The process started in October 2019 and is expected to be completed by June 2020. In the meantime, the college is offering an Associate Degree in Occupational TherapyAssistant. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Lincoln Land Community College prepares students to work as highly skilled professionals who provide therapeutic services to people of all ages with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. The two-year program includes classroom and laboratory instruction, as well as clinical fieldwork experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the national certification examination to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). For more information about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Lincoln Land Community College, please visit their website or contact the admissions office.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• 5250 Shepherd Road, Health Professions, PO Box 19256Springfield IL 62794-9256800-727-4161 x62872
• eleanor.wild@llcc.edu
• Last on-site: 2020/2021
• Next on-site: 2027/2028

McHenry County College

McHenry County College (MCC) is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant schools in Illinois that is currently in an accreditation status. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) associate degree program at MCC is designed to prepare students for a career in occupational therapy. The program combines classroom instruction with clinical experiences to give students the skills and knowledge they need to provide quality Occupational Therapy services. Currently, the OTA program at MCC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). However, the program is currently in Candidacy Status and is NOT accepting applications for admission. McHenry County College is committed to providing an excellent Occupational Therapy Assistant education and we are working diligently to meet all ACOTE standards. We hope to be fully accredited by the time our first class graduates in May 2022. For more information about the OTA program at MCC, please visit our website or contact us at (815) 455-8588.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• 8900 US Highway 14Crystal Lake IL 60012-2738815-455-8717
• OTAINFO@mchenry.edu
• Last on-site: 2017/2018
• Next on-site: 2024/2025

Midwestern Career College

Midwestern Career College is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois that offers an Associate Degree. I am currently in the process of applying to the school and have not yet been accepted. The reason I chose this school is because it is close to my home, and I liked the idea of being able to earn an Occupational Therapy Assistant degree in two years. I am confident that I will be able to get the education and training I need to become a successful Occupational Therapy Assistant. Once I am accepted into the program, I will be able to begin taking classes and working towards my degree. In the meantime, I am continuing to look for other Occupational Therapy Assistant schools in Illinois that offer an Associate Degree so that I can make the best decision for my future.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Private Profit
• Status: Applicant
• 203 N. LaSalle StreetChicago IL 60601312-236-9000 x1009
• ogusak@mccollege.edu
• Next on-site: 2025/2026

Parkland College

Parkland College is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois that is currently in accreditation status. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Parkland College is a two-year program that leads to an Associate Degree. The curriculum for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, and other related topics. Students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Parkland College will also have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in order to gain hands-on experience working with patients. Upon successful completion of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Parkland College, graduates will be eligible to take the national certification exam and become certified Occupational Therapy Assistants.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• 2400 West Bradley AvenueChampaign IL 61821-1899217-351-2468
• kpankau@parkland.edu
• Last on-site: 2015/2016
• Next on-site: 2022/2023

South Suburban College of Cook County

South Suburban College of Cook County is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant schools in Illinois that is currently in the process of seeking accreditation. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Associates Degree program at SSC is designed to prepare students for a career in Occupational Therapy. The OTA program at SSC is unique in that it offers both on-campus and online coursework, giving students the flexibility to complete their degree at their own pace. In addition, the OTA program at SSC is one of the few programs in the state that is offered through a community college. As a result, students who attend SSC can expect to receive a high-quality education at an affordable price. Although the OTA program at SSC is not yet accredited, the college is currently in the process of seeking accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Once the program is accredited, it will be eligible to offer the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to its graduates.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• Allied Health Department, 15800 South State StreetSouth Holland IL 60473-1262708-596-2000 x2473
• loverstreet@ssc.edu
• Last on-site: 2012/2013
• Next on-site: 2022/2023

Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois offer an Associate Degree and are still in the process of accreditation. This is a unique opportunity for students who want to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. The program is designed to prepare students for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the NBCOT exam and become certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs). The Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois are committed to provide quality education and training to their students so that they can be successful in their chosen field.

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• 3213 South Park AvenueHerrin IL 62948-3711618-942-6902
• ewheeler@siccm.com
• Last on-site: 2020/2021
• Next on-site: 2027/2028

Common market (consortium) includes: John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL and Shawnee Community College, Ullin, IL

Wright College

Wright College is one of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Illinois that is still in the accreditation process. The college offers an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy. The length of the program is two years. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) profession began in the early 1970s as a way to help people who have developmental disabilities, mental illness, physical injuries, or other chronic health conditions. OTAs work under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists (OTs) to provide therapy services that improve their patients’ quality of life. Although most OTAs work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, some also work in school districts, home health agencies, and private practices. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) is responsible for accrediting OTA programs nationwide. To be eligible for ACOTE’s accreditation process, a program must be approved by the state in which it is located. Wright College’s OTA program is currently seeking state approval and once received will be able to apply for ACOTE’s accreditation. In order to sit for the national certification examination for OTAs, individuals must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program. Certification examinations are administered by the National Board for Certification in

• Degree Level: OTA Associate
• Institution Type: Public
• Status: Accreditation
• 4300 N. Narragansett AvenueChicago IL 60634-1591773-481-8875
• liffland@ccc.edu
• Last on-site: 2018/2019
• Next on-site: 2023/2024

Conclusion paragraph:

If you are looking for an exciting and rewarding career in occupational therapy, we hope this article has helped you in your search. The best occupational therapy assistant schools in Illinois offer excellent programs that will prepare you to work with patients of all ages who need help recovering from injuries or illnesses. We wish you the best of luck as you continue your education and look forward to seeing great things from future OTAs!