Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Degree Program
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Bridge Program at Middle Georgia State (MGA) University is designed to allow Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants to further their education by building upon their existing knowledge and experience. In the course of completing the MSOT degree, students will develop skills in occupational therapy theory, evaluation, evidence-based intervention, and program development with both individuals, groups, and populations, as well as the opportunity to develop and/or enhance skills in management and leadership. A bachelor’s degree is not required for admission.
The MSOT Program is in the Rehabilitation Science Department within the School of Health and Natural Sciences (SoHNS). The 74-hour (not including prerequisites) curriculum includes coursework in three components: foundational knowledge, courses related to the occupational therapy process, and fieldwork experience. The program is a rigorous full-time program consisting of 7 sequential semesters (total of 28 months), including two Level II Fieldwork experiences of 12 weeks each.
The program is offered in a partially online/hybrid format, with much of the coursework completed online using various technologies, along with supplemental on campus labs and experiential activities approximately once per month (3-4 times per semester in Fall/Spring and 2-3 times in the Summer). The MSOT program is located on the Cochran campus, which also houses an Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and a Rehabilitation Science bachelor’s degree program.
Program Information
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Bridge Program at Middle Georgia State University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. For more information, please visit the ACOTE website.
Certification and Credentialing
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. The NBCOT program data results can be found at National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). All graduating Occupational Therapists must pass the NBCOT exam in order to become licensed to practice. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
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 MSOT Bridge 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 MSOT Bridge Program with documentation from NBCOT indicating that you will be eligible to take the certification exam once all other eligibility requirements are met. For more information on the Early Determination Review process, please see the NBCOT website.
MSOT Program Outcomes Data
*Graduates and Graduation Rates
|
Graduation Year |
Students Admitted/Graduated |
Graduation Rate |
|
2024 |
12/ |
|
|
2025 |
16/ |
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
Total for 3 Years |
|
|
*NBCOT Exam Pass Rates:
www.nbcot.org/Educators/Home#SchoolPerformance
*The first cohort of MSOT students will graduate in August 2024. Data for graduates/graduation rates and NBCOT exam pass rates will be available after that time.