Mississippi · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools in Mississippi
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Mississippi has 4 occupational therapy assistant programs listed by ACOTE (4 associate, 0 bachelor's). Graduates take the NBCOT COTA exam and then apply for a state license. OTAs in Mississippi earn a median $61,650 a year.
Compare OTA programs in Mississippi
NBCOT COTA results, length and published cost side by side. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Published cost | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston | Associate | 89% | — | — | — |
| Holmes Community College, Ridgeland Campus Ridgeland | Associate | 80% | — | — | — |
| Itawamba Community College, Tupelo Campus Tupelo | Associate | 80% | 2 years (4 semesters) | — | — |
| Pearl River Community College Hattiesburg | Associate | 75% | 20 months (5 semesters) | $8,750 | — |
— = not published or not yet verified. Costs are as each school publishes them (full-program tuition; * = all-in total). NBCOT = share of new graduates passing in 2025. Click a program for sources and quotes.
All OTA programs in Mississippi
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmes Community College, Ridgeland Campus OTA associate degree | Ridgeland | See program | See program | 80% ’25 | Accredited |
| Itawamba Community College, Tupelo Campus Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | Tupelo | 2 years (4 semesters) | In person only (no hybrid or distance option) | 80% ’25 | Accredited |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College OTA associate degree | Perkinston | See program | See program | 89% ’25 | Accredited |
| Pearl River Community College OTA associate degree | Hattiesburg | 20 months (5 semesters) | See program | 75% ’25 | Accredited |
Status and degree level from the ACOTE directory. Length and format only where confirmed on the program’s own website. NBCOT = share of the program’s new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam in the latest year reported (NBCOT school performance data, retrieved 2026-10-08); new programs have no results yet.
Online and hybrid OTA programs in Mississippi
None of the OTA programs in Mississippi reports 50% or more distance education to ACOTE or describes a hybrid format on its website. Every accredited OTA program includes in-person labs and fieldwork.
Pay in Mississippi
U.S. median for occupational therapy assistants: $72,300. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Compare all states.
OTAs in Mississippi are licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health, Bureau of Professional Licensure. How to get licensed in Mississippi → · How to become an OTA · OTA salary by state
Frequently asked questions
How many OTA programs are in Mississippi?
ACOTE lists 4 occupational therapy assistant programs at 4 schools in Mississippi: 4 associate-degree and 0 bachelor's-degree.
How long is OTA school in Mississippi?
Most OTA associate programs take about two years including fieldwork, and every accredited OTA program includes at least 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. Check the length we confirmed for each program in the table above; some schools also require prerequisite courses before you start.
How much do OTAs make in Mississippi?
The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in Mississippi was $61,650 (BLS, May 2025).
How do I become a COTA in Mississippi?
Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, pass the NBCOT COTA exam, then apply for a license from the Mississippi occupational therapy licensing board. See how licensing works.
Can I become an occupational therapist later?
Yes. Many OTAs later complete an OTA-to-OT bridge program. Mississippi has 2 OT programs; see OT schools in Mississippi and bridge programs.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website; BLS OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us.