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. Occupational Therapy is a respected, rewarding, and in-demand health care profession that helps people achieve and maintain independence, health, and overall well-being. Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) work under the supervision of licensed Occupational Therapists to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by helping them participate in everyday activities when physical, psychological, or social challenges interfere with daily function.
COTAs work with individuals across the lifespan (from newborns to older adults) in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and community-based programs. Through therapeutic activities and interventions, occupational therapy assistants help clients develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for independence and quality of life.
Occupational Therapy is a dynamic and rapidly growing profession with strong employment opportunities nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow approximately 18% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. This continued growth is driven by an aging population, particularly the baby-boomer generation, and an increasing emphasis on helping individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, and injuries live as independently as possible in their communities.
Occupational therapy assistants are also well compensated for an associate-level health profession. As of 2024, the median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants was approximately $68,000 per year (about $32 per hour). The highest 10 percent of earners made more than $87,000 annually, while the lowest 10 percent earned approximately $49,000, depending on experience, location, and practice setting.
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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 calculated minus the number of students who withdrew for reasons not related to academic and clinical performance.
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
