All OT education programs include a period of supervised clinical experience. To become an occupational therapy assistant, you must complete either a 2-year associate degree or one of a limited number of certificate programs. These accredited programs also include supervised clinical experience. Because entrance requirements, prerequisites, and program components differ from school to school, it is important to get specific information from those programs to which you are interested in applying. Schools typically require course work concentrating on the biological and behavioral sciences, including biology, psychology, and sociology.
Most programs also require volunteer or paid work experience with persons with disabilities.
A number of schools offer choices other than full-time student status. For complete information, contact those schools you may be interested in attending or purchase the Directory of Occupational Therapy Schools from the American Occupational Therapy Association.