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 1-2 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 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. 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.
To learn more about institution-wide accreditation information, please visit the Accreditation page.
Credentialing and Licensure
Graduates of the MSOT Program will be eligible to apply to take the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). Application procedures for taking the NBCOT® exam can be found here: Steps to OTR Certification. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
Graduates of the MSOT Program must pass the NBCOT® exam in order to become licensed to practice. While all states require licensure to practice, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT® exam. For specific state licensure requirements, always consult the state Occupational Therapy regulatory agency.
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 to attain state licensure. A background check may be required upon admission to the MSOT Program and/or prior to fieldwork experiences. If there is a record of a felony conviction, an Early Determination Review should be completed through NBCOT® to determine eligibility to take the exam. The MSOT Program assumes no responsibility for ineligibility to sit for the NBCOT® Certification Examination or the denial of state licensure.
Program performance data on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) National Certification Exam can be found on the NBCOT website.
|
Graduation Year |
# of Students Admitted |
# of Students Graduated |
Graduation Rate |
|
2024 |
12 |
11 |
*91.6% |
|
2025 |
15 |
16* |
100% |
|
2026 |
20 |
|
|
|
Total for 3 Years |
47 |
|
|
*One student from the graduation year 2024 graduated in 2025.