Top 10 Accelerated Occupational Therapy Programs 2026

An occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program prepares learners for a rewarding healthcare career helping people regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities. Most programs result in an associate degree, which takes about two years to complete. However, accelerated occupational therapy programs are available to help students graduate sooner.

Read on to discover schools offering these fast-track degrees.

What Are Accelerated Occupational Therapy Programs?

Accelerated occupational therapy assistant programs provide the didactic coursework and fieldwork experiences to help students qualify to join an interprofessional team as an OTA. In these fast-track programs, learners benefit from shorter course terms, multiple start dates, or generous transfer credit policies that can speed up degree completion.

How Fast Can I Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant?

An OTA program, which often leads to an associate degree, takes about two years to complete on average. However, you can find accelerated programs that help learners graduate in 18 months or less. Schools offering these degrees include Fox College and St. Catherine University.

Are There Any One-Year Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs?

Yes, there are schools offering programs that help learners become OTAs in a year. For example, Moberly Area Community College has a three-semester program that students can complete in one calendar year (students must complete prerequisite coursework before starting program courses).

Best Accelerated OT Programs

Are you ready to start your career as an OTA? Review the schools below to discover some of the nation's best accelerated programs.

1. Eastern Virginia Career College

The OTA program at Eastern Virginia Career College is a 12-month hybrid program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. The curriculum, which includes a distance education component, is occupation and evidence-based and includes level II fieldwork for practical training.

Upon completion, students will be ready to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $30,800 total
• Program length: 12 months (after completing general education courses)
• Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education (COE)

2. Moberly Area Community College

Moberly Area Community College offers an AAS in OTA, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

In this one-plus-one academic program, students complete coursework, classroom and lab practice, and clinical fieldwork experiences in one full calendar year. To enroll, students must first take various prerequisite courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: Starting at $4,290 per semester
• Program length: One calendar year (after completing prerequisite courses)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. St. Catherine University

The AAS in OTA at St. Catherine University is a hybrid program combining online coursework with on-campus/in-person requirements. Occupational therapy students gain hands-on training at skills lab locations in California, Minnesota, Texas, or Virginia, and acquire additional experience via level I and level II fieldwork placements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $815 per credit
• Program length: As few as 16 months
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Fox College

Fox College's OTA is an 18-month program leading to an AAS degree. Coursework explores pediatric occupations, medical terminology, and assistive technology to prepare learners to assist people with disabilities, mental health challenges, and more. To graduate, students must complete four months of fieldwork.

• Estimated tuition cost: $16,620 per year
• Program length: 18 months
• Accreditation: HLC

5. New England Institute of Technology

Students interested in accelerating an OTA career can pursue an Associate of Science (AS) degree at New England Institute of Technology and begin occupational therapy practice in as little as 18 months. This program can also lead to a bridge graduate program option for students interested in a master's degree in occupational therapy.

• Estimated tuition cost: $35,925 per year
• Program length: 18 Months
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

6. North Shore Community College

North Shore Community College is home to an AS in OTA program with a full-time day accelerated program that enables students to graduate in three semesters. The program, which prepares learners to sit for the NBCOT COTA exam, consists of classroom instruction, hands-on lab practice, and clinical experiences.

• Estimated tuition cost: $223 per credit (Massachusetts residents); $235.50 per credit (New England regional residents); $455 per credit (out-of-state residents)
• Program length: Three semesters
• Accreditation: NECHE

7. Platt College

At Platt College, students interested in pursuing OTA health professional roles can gain necessary training in just 20 months at the Anaheim, CA, campus. The school's AS program teaches students how to care for clients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.

Upon successful completion of courses and fieldwork, students can take the COTA and attain state licensure.

• Estimated tuition cost: $21,886 per year
• Program length: 20 months
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

8. Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences offers an AS in OTA with flexible coursework for local and distance-education students interested in learning how to enhance the well-being of people across the lifespan. Most courses are offered online; however, learners must visit the campus for in-person labs. Fieldwork provides additional hands-on training.

• Estimated tuition cost: $38,175 total
• Program length: 20 months
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

9. Weatherford College

In the associate degree in applied science OTA program at Weatherford College, students prepare for careers in long-term care facilities, hospitals, pediatric clinics, and mental health. After completing prerequisites, enrollees take OTA courses and participate in laboratory and clinical learning experiences to finish in about 20 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $14,016 total (in-district); $15,644 total (out-of-district-Wise); $18,196 total (out-of-district); $22,244 total (out-of-state)
• Program length: 20 months
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

10. Baptist Health College Little Rock

Baptist Health College Little Rock's OTA program works with its academic affiliate (UA-Pulaski Technical College) to help learners earn an AAS occupational therapy degree in 21 months. Enrollees complete didactic coursework and fieldwork experiences in preparation for the NBCOT exam. To gain admission, students must have a ''C'' or better in prerequisite courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,663.52 to $7,541.14 per semester
• Program length: 21 months
• Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

How We Rank Schools

Our team rigorously vetted the schools in this ranking list to verify that each meets the following criteria:

• Accreditation: All schools are accredited by nationally recognized organizations, such as the NECHE.
• Program length: These programs are shorter than the traditional two-year OTA program.
• Reputation: Institutions have reputations for offering quality learning experiences.
• Affordability: The schools above offer affordable tuition or financial aid to lower costs.

FAQs About Fast-Track Occupational Therapy Programs

If you're ready to earn a fast-track OTA degree, keep reading. Below, we'll answer frequently asked questions about these programs.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Fast-Track Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs?

Admission requirements for OTA programs vary by school, but can include completing prerequisite courses and submitting transcripts with a minimum cumulative GPA.

Are Accelerated OT Programs Harder Than Traditional Programs?

While accelerated OTA programs offer the same courses and fieldwork as traditional programs, completing requirements in a shorter timeframe can be challenging. In these programs, strong time management skills are essential.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree?

In addition to working as a traditional OTA, a degree in the field can create the following entry-level occupational therapy career opportunities:

• geriatric OTA
• pediatric OTA
• low vision specialist
• school system OTA

Learners can also use this degree to pursue careers as occupational therapists by first earning a bachelor's degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy) and eventually a Master of Science in occupational therapy or Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program. Some also enroll in a Doctor of Occupational Therapy OTD program.

Do Occupational Therapy Assistants or Nurses Make More Money?

Registered nurses (RNs) earn more than occupational therapy assistants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), OTAs earn a median annual wage of $68,340, while RNs earn $93,600.

Is an Accelerated OT Program Worth It?

Yes, accelerated OT programs are worth it. They offer the same didactic coursework and fieldwork as traditional programs, enabling you to start your career sooner.

Explore Healthcare Degrees Online

Begin an exciting career in occupational therapy by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools today to discover ways they can help you reach your goals.