Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in Georgia

Georgia has 4 ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools which provides an associate degree in Occupational Therapy. Plus, the state also has 10 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy Schools in Georgia, which provides an entry-level master degree or Doctor of Occupational therapy degree. The license is required to practice as an OTA in Georgia; one can appear for the licensure examination after clearing the OTA associate degree from accredited OTA schools.

The list of Occupational therapy assistant schools in Georgia is-

1. Albany State University
2. Augusta Technical College
3. Chattahoochee Technical College
4. Middle Georgia State University

Occupational Therapy in Georgia-

The occupational therapist (OT), Occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and OT/OTA students have their own state association, i.e. GOTA (Georgia Occupational Therapy Association).

The GOTA is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides a professional community for its members. The GOTA is a state-based professional organization for the occupational therapy profession in Georgia.

Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy assistant work closely with the patient to facilitate the recovery. OT assistant works on all therapy setup and assists OT on assessment and intervention implementation.

The Occupational therapist Assistant has good job opportunities in Georgia. An OTA can also become an Occupational therapist by applying through the bridge program.

Occupational Therapy Assistance License in Georgia-

Graduates of the OTA Program are required to sit for the certification examination administered by the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy). Upon successful completion of the NBCOT exam graduates must apply to the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy for authorization to practice as a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) within the state of Georgia. An OTA becomes COTA after passing the NBCOT exam.

The minimum requirements for the license are –

• An Associate degree in Occupational therapy assistant.
• NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
• Three completed, signed and notarized reference forms must be submitted by the applicant; two must be professional references and at least one professional reference must come from an OTR/L or COTA.
• Official transcripts of course work completed.
• Application fees of $60 (OT) and $50 (OTA).

Temporary/limited OTA License:

A limited permit to practice as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) may be granted to persons who have completed the educational and experience requirements for licensure and are waiting to take or receive the results of the certification examination.

A ninety (90) day limited permit shall be issued and shall allow the applicant to practice OT/OTA under the supervision of an OTR/COTA who holds a current license in this State. This limited permit shall not be issued or renewed if the applicant has ever failed any exam(s) administered or approved by the Georgia Board of Occupational Therapy.

Georgia OTA Schools

#1 Albany State University

The OTA program at the ASU provides a student-centered educational program in southwest Georgia. The OTA program is made up of 2 phases: (1) the pre-professional phase and (2) the professional phase. The pre-professional phase is considered the time required to complete all pre-requisite course work and application requirements for the OTA program. After the student has applied and been selected for admission into the program, the student will enter the professional phase.

Albany State University
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Albany, GA
Public or Private-	Public college
Program Director-	Tonya Curles
Course Duration-	2-year
Class Size	20 students per year
OTA Class begins	In Fall (mid-August)
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through the college website.
Prerequisites	ENGL 1101 (English composition); MATH 1111 (College Algebra or higher math); PSYC 1101 (General Psychology); PSYC 2103 (Human Growth & Development); POLS 1101 (American Government); BIOL 2411K (Human Anatomy & Physiology I); BIOL 2412K (Human Anatomy & Physiology II); Humanities Course (any 1)- ART 1101 (Art Appreciation); FIAR 2250; ENGL 2111; ENGL 2112; ENGL 2131; MUSC 1100; THEA 1100.
Minimum Requirement	A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher for all college or university level courses taken; A minimum of 40 observation hours in two or more occupational therapy settings; At least two recommendation forms must be completed by an OT or OTA; Must have immunizations completed with current PPD within 3 months of June 1 deadline; Unofficial transcripts for all colleges or universities ever attended must be submitted; Proof of health insurance; Applicants must include a hand written essay explaining why you have chosen OTA as a career; Submit an unofficial copy of the TEAS score report.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Darton College of Health Professions 2400 Gillionville Road Albany, GA 31707-3098 tonya.curles@asurams.edu
Website	www.asurams.edu

#2 Augusta Technical College

The OTA program at Augusta Technical College offers many options for financial aid and scholarships. The school provides quality education at a low cost.

The OTA program has a competitive admission process. The admission depends upon the total GPA score number. The score is calculated on the basis of GPA in BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, and ENGL 1101 course work.  

Albany State University
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Augusta, GA
Public or Private-	Public college
Program Director-	Valarie Chapman
Course Duration-	2-year
Class Size	20 students per year
OTA Class begins	In Fall.
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through the college website.
Minimum Requirement	Applicants for a degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs must take the ACCUPLACER Test. The SAT, ACT, CPE, COMPASS, or ASSET scores may be accepted in lieu of the ACCUPLACER; High school graduation or GED is required.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Building 1400 Augusta, GA 30904 valarie.chapman@ augustatech.edu
Website	www.augustatech.edu

#3 Chattahoochee Technical College (CTC)

The OTA program at CTC has a competitive admission process. The admission depends upon the total score number. The score is calculated on the basis of ATI TEAS Score, Sciences- Gen Ed and ALHS courses, and Observation hours.

Chattahoochee Technical College
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Marietta, GA
Public or Private-	College
Program Director-	Amy Shaffer, MA, COTA/L
Course Duration-	5 semesters.
Class Size	Up to 17 students per year
OTA Class begins	In Spring.
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through the college website.
Pre-admission course work	ALHS 1090 Medical technology; BIOL 2113 Anatomy & Physiology I; BIOL 2113L Anatomy & Physiology I lab; ENGL 1101 Composition and Rhetoric PSYC 1101 Introduction to Psychology.
Additional required courses	BIOL 2114 Anatomy & Physiology II; BIOL 2114L Anatomy & Physiology II lab; Humanities elective MATH 1111 College Algebra; SPCH 1101 Public Speaking OR COMM 1100 Human Communication.
Minimum Requirement	2.0 CTC GPA; ATI TEAS score report (min score 64); A minimum 20 hours of OT Observation under the supervision of an OT or OTA in inpatient settings.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Health Sciences 980 South Cobb Drive, E-1112 Marietta, GA 30060-3302 health.sciences@ chattahoocheetech.edu
Website	chattahoocheetech.edu/

#4 Middle Georgia State University

The school at middle Georgia State University offers an OTA program. The OTA program is made up of 2 phases: (1) the pre-professional phase (Apply to the Middle Georgia State University) and (2) the professional phase (Second, Apply To The OTA Program).

Middle Georgia State University
Degree Offered–	Associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA-entry level)
University Campus	Cochran, GA
Public or Private-	Public college
Program Director-	Betsy McDaniel
Course Duration-	2-year
Class Size	30 students per year
OTA Class begins	In each Fall
Application Procedure	Apply to the OTA program through the college website.
Prerequisite	BIOL 1114K (Anatomy and Physiology I) with a grade of “C” or better.
Minimum Requirement	Completed Application Process to MGA; Official high school transcripts and transcripts from all colleges & universities you have attended; Pre-requisite courses completed with a “C” or better; GPA of 2.75 or above is required; Submit 2 Academic or Professional References; Background check.
Address	Occupational Therapy Assistant Program 1100 Second Street, S.E. Cochran, GA 31014-1599 betsy.mcdaniel@mga.edu
Website	www.mga.edu/ota

Occupational Therapy Schools in Georgia-

There are 4 Occupational therapy schools which offer an entry-level Master of Science degree in OT or an OTD. A Master degree/Doctorate degree in OT is required to become an Occupational therapist.

List of OT schools-

1. Augusta University
2. Brenau University
3. Brenau University, North Atlanta-Norcross Campus
4. Georgia State University

 Get complete info about the OT Schools in Georgia

Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs in Georgia-

The job outlook for occupational therapy assistant is very good in Georgia. Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities (as per the United States’ Bureau of Labor Statistics).

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 890 employed and licensed occupational therapy Assistants in Georgia in May 2017 and the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Georgia for the occupational therapist (OT/OTR) and occupational therapy Assistant (OTA/COTA).

Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Georgia-

Employment and salaries for Occupational Therapy Assistants vary based on work setting and geographical location. The current salary range in the local area is $37,000-$55,000 annually with an estimated 30% increase in jobs over the next 10 years. (Retrieved from http://swz.salary.com)

As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapy assistant in Georgia was $62,000 (in 2017) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy assistants were $61,810 and $29.72 respectively in May 2017.