Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Estimated Costs of the OTA Program
Admissions can help you with the MGA application process.
Located on the Cochran campus of Middle Georgia State University, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program equips students with the skills, knowledge, and clinical experience needed to support independence, participation, and quality of life across the lifespan. The program admits up to 25 students each fall semester who progress through the program together as a cohort. Students complete the program in four semesters, with the final semester devoted to Level II Fieldwork experiences. Graduates earn an Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree.
The program is offered face-to-face on the Cochran campus and uses the D2L learning platform to support instruction, communication, assignments, and access to course materials.
Occupational therapy is a respected, rewarding, and in-demand healthcare profession that helps people achieve and maintain independence, health, and well-being. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) work under the supervision of occupational therapists to help clients of all ages participate in everyday activities when physical, psychological, or social challenges interfere with daily function.
COTAs work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and community-based programs. Employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow approximately 18% from 2024 to 2034, with a median annual salary of approximately $68,000. (Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Students must have access to a computer, reliable internet service, and Microsoft-compatible software for writing papers and completing assignments. MGA provides access to Microsoft Office 365, D2L, Microsoft Teams, tutoring, library databases, and other technology resources.
Students complete coursework and labs on the Cochran campus and are assigned to multiple off-campus Level I and Level II fieldwork sites. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to fieldwork sites and other required learning experiences.
MGA is committed to providing accessible learning environments and equal access to educational programs. Students with documented disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through Accessibility Services, including testing accommodations, assistive technology, alternate formats for course materials, accessible classroom spaces, and other academic supports.
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Right for You?
If you’re looking for an affordable, fast-track way into health care that’s hands-on and meaningful, OTA might be your perfect fit. Occupational therapy assistants work directly with people of all ages, helping them build independence and confidence in everyday life. This career is ideal for those who enjoy working with others, staying active, and want a rewarding profession with strong job growth, great pay, and the flexibility to work in a variety of settings.
All classes are taught in-person on MGA’s Cochran campus, giving students the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with faculty and classmates while learning in a supportive, hands-on environment. If you are a traditional freshman, consider applying for the Elite Early Assurance Program to guarantee a spot for competitive courses like Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, etc., during class registration.
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at MGA is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at: 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301.652.6611 and the web address is www.acoteonline.org. For more information, please visit the ACOTE website.
|
Graduation Year
|
Students Entering
|
Students who withdrew, or did not graduate with the entering cohort, for reasons other than academic performance
|
Students Graduating
|
Graduation Rate*
|
|
2025
|
22 |
3
|
19
|
100
|
|
2024
|
18 |
2
|
13
|
81
|
|
2023
|
23 |
1
|
20
|
91
|
|
Total (2023-2025)
|
63 |
6
|
52 |
91
|
*Graduation rate is calculated on a calendar year and calculated minus the number of students who withdrew for reasons not related to academic and clinical performance.
Certification and Licensure
After graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). Program outcome data (including pass rates for the MGA OTA Program) are available on the NBCOT® program data results page.
All Occupational Therapy Assistant graduates must successfully pass the NBCOT® examination to qualify for state licensure in Georgia. Middle Georgia State University graduates consistently achieve NBCOT® exam results that rank among the best in the nation, reflecting the strength and quality of the OTA program.
Felony Conviction
A felony conviction may affect a student’s ability to complete Level II Fieldwork or a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Exam and attain state licensure. All students will be required to complete a background check upon admission to the OTA Program. If you have been convicted of a felony, you will be required to complete the Early Determination Review process with NBCOT to determine eligibility to take the National Certification Exam and provide the OTA Program with documentation from NBCOT indicating that you will be eligible to take the certification exam once all other eligibility requirements are met. Failure to provide the OTA Program with this documentation prior to the mid-term date in the first semester of the OTA Program will result in immediate dismissal from the OTA Program. For more information on the Early Determination Review process, please see the NBCOT website.
Additional OT Resources
