Allied Health Professions

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Perkinston Campus

Spring Entry

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) curriculum is a two-year program of study preparing graduates to work under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist in providing treatment development, restoration, prevention, and maintenance programs. The focus is on consumer-centered functional independence to perform those tasks essential to productive living and to the mastery of self and context. This program prepares graduates to practice in a variety of health care and community settings as a member of an inter- and intra-disciplinary team. Opportunities for employment are varied and extensive with program admission selective and competitive. An Associate of Applied Science is granted upon successful completion of the program with graduates eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination for the occupational therapy assistant.

The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program 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) 652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure

Program graduates are certified through an examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Recent graduate performance: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

Graduation YearStudents Entering/GraduatingGraduation Rate
20227/571%
20237/7100%
202411/982%
Total21/1584%
Review NC-SARA: Accepted College Licensure or Certifications by Educational Program & State to learn what states outside of Mississippi accept this program licensure.

General Education Prerequisites

Course Credit(s)

BIO 2514 – Anatomy and Physiology I (LEC/LAB) 		4

BIO 2524 – Anatomy and Physiology II (LEC/LAB) 		4

ENG 1113 – English Composition I 		3

SPT 1113 – Public Speaking I 		3

PSY 1513 – General Psychology 		3
Humanities/Fine Arts Electives 3

Apply to the OTA Program

OTA Coursework

Submit an Information Request

Mission Statement

The mission of the MGCCC OTA Program is to provide a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary occupational therapy practice through superior instruction within an atmosphere of shared accountability in the teaching/learning process between program faculty and students. The OTA Program is committed to providing the community with professional, skilled and ethical entry-level Occupational Therapy Assistants prepared to offer occupation-based services in a broad range of practice environments.

OTA Program Goals

  1. Develop/implement a comprehensive educational program, including both general education and occupational therapy evidence-based practice coursework, designed to advance humanistic values, critical thinking, problem-solving, cultural competence, communication skills, and ethical practice
  2. Ensure graduates demonstrate competency in application of evidence-based occupational therapy
  3. Ensure graduates demonstrate competency in dynamic professional reasoning abilities
  4. Ensure graduates can demonstrate entry-level occupational therapy assistant services in varied practice environments
  5. Ensure graduates are educated as a generalist with broad exposure to delivery models and systems used in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced or emerging as an area of practice
  6. Ensure graduates achieve entry-level competence through didactic and fieldwork education
  7. Prepare graduates to successfully pass qualifying examinations required for certification as a precursor to successful state licensure and employment
  8. Prepare students to advocate as professionals for consumer access and receipt of occupational therapy services
  9. Support professional values of self-direction, professionalism, teamwork, community service, and life-long learning

OTA Program Expenses

Prior to Entering Program

  • Criminal Background Check $65 – $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)

Once Admitted into Program

  • General MGCCC Tuition and Fees
  • Career and Technical Program Fee $50 per credit hour
  • Pre-admission Physical Exam and Immunizations $200 – $300
  • Books $800 – $1000 (plus rental fees, if applicable)
  • Substance Testing $29 – $35 per semester
  • Liability Insurance $12 – $15 per semester
  • Additional purchase items, supplies $50 – $100
  • Uniform, Accessories $150 – $200
  • National Board Exam Fees $515 – $555
  • MS OT Association Student Membership Fee – $30
  • AOTA Student Membership Fee – $78
  • Board Preparation Program – $169

Costs may be subject to change.