Bachelor in Occupational Therapist Assistant (Bachelor's)

Trinity Washington University places applied research and professional preparation at the center of its academic offer. Recent undergraduate projects have examined Washington, DC’s tree canopy through satellite imagery and analyzed brain cells with machine learning. Students have also contributed to peer-reviewed work on the leadership of Black women in global affairs. The university offers 70+ academic degree and certificate programs across undergraduate, professional, and graduate study, with a student-to-faculty ratio of about 13 to 1.

Teaching and learning are informed by Catholic social justice teachings, including through Trinity DARE, an initiative focused on actions that can improve students’ and their families’ lifelong economic and social opportunities. The community includes a network of more than 15,000 graduates offering career help and mentoring. Programs include fields such as global affairs and education, with professional and graduate study available alongside undergraduate degrees. Student research and faculty scholarship provide opportunities to engage with current questions.

The campus is in Washington, DC, giving students access to internships at organizations in government, research, education, and other sectors. Most Trinity students complete one or more internships as part of their studies. This setting connects classroom learning with work in Congress and with organizations headquartered in the city. Students from 30 countries are represented on campus. Sixty percent of the student body lives in DC, while financial-aid figures include full-time undergraduates and DC residents.

This programme prepares students to become certified Occupational Therapy Assistants working under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists. It emphasizes practical application through two full-time, eight-week fieldwork rotations in diverse clinical settings. Students gain experience in pediatrics, mental/behavioral health, and physical rehabilitation during Level I fieldwork. The curriculum integrates urban healthcare contexts, with a focus on aging populations and community-based interventions in Washington DC.

Focus areas include Pediatric practice, Mental/behavioral health, Physical rehabilitation, Aging in urban settings, Home modifications, Community mobility.

The programme requires 120 total credits, including 58 core OTA-B credits. Students complete two 8-week Level II fieldwork rotations and a baccalaureate project within 12 months of finishing didactic coursework.

Graduates work as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, and community-based programs.

Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.75 overall GPA and a 2.5 GPA in science and math courses. A one-page essay, 10 hours of observation with an OT or OTA, and official transcripts are required.

The programme totals about 120 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, with a typical duration of 2 years after prerequisites and up to 4 years for the full professional phase. For international students, tuition is around the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 99% of applicants.