Wake Tech Occupational Therapy Program Overview
Wake Technical Community College offers an Occupational Therapy Assistant program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, with the most recent accreditation review confirming continued compliance with AOTA standards. The curriculum combines classroom instruction in anatomy, neuroscience, and therapeutic methods with fieldwork placements in clinics, schools, and rehabilitation centers across the Raleigh-Durham area. Students complete a minimum of 16 weeks of supervised fieldwork, a requirement aligned with AOTA Level II fieldwork rules. The program admits a limited cohort each fall, and the latest published admissions data shows a competitive selection process based on prerequisite GPA and healthcare experience. Graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science degree and become eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Wake Tech occupational therapy graduates have consistently achieved first-time pass rates on the NBCOT certification exam above the national average for community college programs, according to the most recent outcomes report published by the college. The program reports strong employment placement within six months of graduation, with many graduates entering pediatric, geriatric, and hand therapy settings in the Research Triangle region. Tuition for in-state students remains below $3,000 per year for the full program, making it one of the more affordable pathways into the allied health workforce in North Carolina. The college publishes detailed program completion and licensure exam data on its official institutional page, which is accessible to prospective students and regulators.
Wake Tech Occupational Therapy Career and Salary Data
Occupational therapy assistants in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $63,000 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. Wake Tech graduates entering the workforce in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary metropolitan area typically start in outpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, and early intervention programs. The BLS projects employment of occupational therapy assistants to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the next decade, driven by aging populations and increased demand for rehabilitation services. Many Wake Tech alumni continue working in the Triangle health system, which includes major hospital networks and outpatient therapy chains operating across Wake County.
Wake Tech occupational therapy graduates can pursue additional credentials in specialized areas such as hand therapy, low vision rehabilitation, and pediatric feeding therapy through continuing education courses offered by professional organizations. Some alumni transfer into four-year health science programs at nearby universities to advance into occupational therapy therapist roles, a pathway supported by articulation agreements with regional institutions. The North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners oversees licensure renewal and continuing competency requirements for practicing assistants in the state. Job postings for occupational therapy assistants in the Raleigh area show consistent demand from home health agencies, school systems, and rehabilitation hospitals, reflecting the broader workforce trends in allied health.
Wake Tech Occupational Therapy Admissions and Accreditation
Admission to the Wake Tech occupational therapy assistant program requires completion of specific prerequisite courses in biology, psychology, and medical terminology, with a minimum cumulative GPA set by the health sciences division. The college publishes application deadlines, selection criteria, and prerequisite course equivalencies on its official admissions page for prospective students. Fieldwork placements are coordinated through the program's clinical education office, which maintains affiliations with more than a dozen healthcare and educational sites in Wake County and surrounding areas. The program undergoes periodic comprehensive reviews by the AOTA Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, with the most recent self-study and site visit report confirming continued accreditation status.
Wake Tech occupational therapy students have access to simulation labs, assistive technology resources, and academic advising through the college's health sciences division. The program's curriculum map aligns with AOTA curriculum standards, ensuring coverage of areas such as activity analysis, therapeutic use of self, and client-centered practice. Graduates who pass the NBCOT exam become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and must apply for state licensure through the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners before practicing independently. The college's institutional effectiveness data, including program completers and certification exam outcomes, is available to the public through