Department of Rehabilitation Science
Chair: Betsy McDaniel
The Department of Rehabilitation Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science, an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA Program), and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (MSOT Program). The B.S. in Rehabilitation Science degree prepares students to enter today’s competitive job markets in areas including rehabilitation specialists, clinical coordinators, or medical assistants. In addition, the Rehabilitation Science degree also prepares students for admission to rigorous post-baccalaureate programs including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, athletic training, physician assistant, and others.
Occupational therapy practitioners (OTAs and OTs) provide services to individuals with mental, physical, or developmental impairments. Occupational therapy focuses on teaching people how to overcome or work within their limitations to live as independently as possible. Graduates of the OTA Program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) and apply for state licensure as an occupational therapy assistant. The Department of Rehabilitation Science is currently involved in the accreditation process for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree which will be a bridge program to allow certified occupational therapy assistants to further their education by building upon their existing knowledge and experience.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Rehabilitation Science is to provide quality evidence-based education that prepares competent rehabilitation professionals who will improve the quality of life, health, performance, and well-being of diverse populations throughout Georgia.
Accreditation and Approvals
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: 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. 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. After graduation, our 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). The NBCOT program data results can be found at National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). All graduates must pass the NBCOT exam in order to become licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Bridge Program at MGA has been granted Candidacy status 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 the web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, submit an initial Report of Self-Study, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). (Please see MGA Graduate Catalog for more information on the OT Program.)
Student Expectations
Middle Georgia State University students are responsible for fulfilling their academic responsibilities in an honest and forthright manner conducting themselves with civility in interpersonal interactions. The Middle Georgia State University Code of Conduct, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Handbook, and the Rehabilitation Science Student Handbook contain a full description of student rights and responsibilities and the disciplinary procedures that will guide the action of the faculty and administration should a student allegedly violate the code. Students who are charged with a conduct violation will be subject to disciplinary procedures by the School of Health and Natural Sciences and Middle Georgia State University. Any violation, whether related to lack of integrity or civility, may result in dismissal from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program or the Occupational Therapy Program without consideration for re-entry.