ACCREDITATION, CERTIFICATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Accreditation:

The Medical College of Georgia Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association (ACOTE). The certificate of accreditation was awarded August 2000 for a maximum time period of ten years.

■ The ACOTE identified 10 major strengths, 6 suggestions to enhance the program and there were no areas of noncompliance. The next re-accreditation is due 2009/2010.

Graduation:

■ Fieldwork Requirements: ACOTE requires all Occupational Therapy students complete Level II fieldwork within the time frame established by the program. The Medical College of Georgia's time frame is specified as within twenty four month (2 years) of completion of academic course work.

Certification:
■ Graduates of accredited programs must sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successfully completing this exam (NBCOT), the individual is an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states, including Georgia, require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the result of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Disclaimer of Certification and Licensure:

Professional Conduct Requirements
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) serves public interest by screening all illegal, unethical, and incompetent behaviors of individuals who are yet to be certified. All applicants for certification are required to provide information regarding any felony charges or convictions. Please refer to NBCOT's Candidate/Certificant Code of Conduct. All felony information must be submitted and reviewed by NBCOT before eligibility to take the certification examination is determined. Please note this review could mean a student may be deemed inappropriate to sit for the national certification exam and thus not eligible for state licensure as well. The Medical College of Georgia cannot be held responsible for the student's ineligibility to sit for NBCOT due to criminal reasons. For further information, please contact the:

■ Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

■ National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT)

■ Georgia Occupational Therapy Association