all about
Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant
One diploma. Training in four therapies. Endless ways to help.
Help people live stronger, more independent lives. As an Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant (IDTA), you’ll support clients across physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation therapy, and speech therapy—building teamwork and care skills that make a lasting difference.
Why choose Bow Valley College’s IDTA?
- Four-in-one training
Learn the fundamentals of physical and occupational therapy, then expand your skills into recreation and speech-language therapy. You’ll graduate ready to contribute across a wide range of care environments.
- Hands-on experience
Train in our dedicated therapy lab, built to mirror real rehabilitation spaces. You’ll use the same equipment and techniques found in professional settings.
- Meaningful placements
Apply what you learn through supervised placements in PT/OT, recreation therapy, and speech-language pathology. Your final interdisciplinary practicum ties everything together, showing you how different therapies work as one.
- Career-ready, people-first
Build confidence in communication, documentation, and collaboration while supporting clients from diverse backgrounds with empathy and respect.
What you’ll be ready to do
- Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy): Support exercise and mobility programs under a physiotherapist’s guidance.
- Occupational Therapy: Help people engage in daily activities using adaptive strategies and equipment.
- Recreation Therapy: Lead activities that promote connection, confidence, and quality of life.
- Speech Therapy: Assist with communication and swallowing programs using evidence-based techniques.
Facilities
Train in a designated therapy lab that simulates real rehabilitation practice across physical, occupational, recreation, and speech-language therapy disciplines.
Pre-Clinical Requirements
- A current Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) must be submitted prior to student's first work integrated learning placement. Please look for information regarding submission deadlines. The PIC will be valid for the duration of the program, unless changes are required, in which case a new PIC will be required. PICs must be dated no earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the program submission date.
- To facilitate learners, Work Integrated Learning placements with our external partners, Rubella vaccination is mandatory, and many sites require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Failure to provide evidence of vaccinations will delay program completion. All other immunizations are highly recommended. Up-to-date immunizations are valid for the duration of the program.
- Students are required to have current CPR certification and it must be renewed annually. Bow Valley College offers FACP9101: Basic Life Support CPR (Healthcare Provider Level) through Extended Education.
- N95 mask fitting is required prior to the first Work Integrated Learning placement. Students will be able to register for this course (SAFT9406: N95 Mask Fitting) through MyBVC once they have started their program.
If students do not meet the requirements for Work Integrated Learning by the program’s submission deadline date, they will not be permitted to participate in Work Integrated Learning experiences for that term.
Ready to make a difference?
Start your career in collaborative, compassionate care.
Program certification/accreditation
The Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma Program at Bow Valley College has Candidacy Status and can now take the next step towards accreditation by the OTA & PTA EAP. Having Candidacy Status does not mean that the Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma Program at Bow Valley College will be accredited once the process is finished, but the first step is complete.
Program Delivery
Gain valuable experience through work integrated learning placements in Calgary, nearby communities, and across Alberta — including rural areas. Students are responsible for arranging travel and related costs such as parking, transit, or accommodation. Shifts may include day, evening, night, or weekend hours, depending on placement site schedules.
Work Integrated Learning placements may include day shifts, evening shifts, night shifts, and/or weekend shifts. Shifts are determined by the placement sites and not the college.
Available intakes
Starts in
Registration opens in
Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.
Program availability and start dates are subject to change. Admission is based on first applied, first qualified.
Starts in
Course registration opens on:
To register in an Open Studies course, find the course in the list below and click on the course code. Select the offering of the course that you would like to take, add it to the cart, proceed to checkout, and pay with a credit card.
Registration for all courses opens at 9:00 A.M. Calgary time.
Program Tuition
Tuition costs are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.
To view additional fees, please view the mandatory fees.Courses
Not all delivery modes are available for all courses or programs, and not all courses are available each term. Students should follow up on their individual program areas or their MyBVC for information for courses delivery types and availability.
Delivery modes, descriptions, and availability of courses each term are subject to change.
