Interested in a fast-growing and rewarding job in healthcare? McHenry County College’s (MCC) Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program prepares students to work in a variety of healthcare settings. OTAs are trained to facilitate treatment after injuries, promote health and wellness, encourage and promote independence, and provide ongoing rehabilitation across the lifespan.
“OTA is a great career option for students who have an interest in science, problem solving, and helping others,” said Courtney Merriss Prange, department chair of the OTA program at MCC. “The job outlook for this profession is also growing rapidly. Employment of occupational therapist assistants is expected to grow 18 percent through 2034.”
MCC’s OTA program incorporates the latest technology, evidence-based information, and hands-on learning experiences. During intervention courses, students have client-centered experiences with other science programs at MCC and collaborate with OT programs at other schools such as Valparaiso University and North Central College.
100% of MCC’s graduates in 2023 and 2024 passed the certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Graduates have been hired by local school districts, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab hospitals, and children’s outpatient clinics throughout the area.
Applications for the Spring 2026 program are due by October 17 and can be completed here. Pre-requisites must be completed by December 2025 to apply. MCC’s OTA program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 510E, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. ACOTE’s phone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611.
To learn more about the OTA program, visit www.mchenry.edu/ota. For questions, email otainfo@mchenry.edu or call (815) 455-8710.