Occupational therapy schools in Mississippi offer degrees ranging from an associate to a doctorate. Coursework throughout these programs consists of classroom instruction and practical experience. The higher the degree achieved, the higher an occupational therapist’s salary is.

Top earning occupational therapists in the state can make well over $100,000 per year, similar to their neighbors in Arkansas and Alabama. However, the average salary of an occupational therapist in Mississippi is $76,568 per year, while the average salary of an occupational therapy assistant is $51,376 per year. Depending on what state you reside in, occupational therapy assistants can earn a salary upwards of $70,000 per year.

Mississippi has one accredited doctor of occupational therapy program, and three accredited occupational therapy assistant programs. The Mississippi State Department of Health administers all licenses in the field through their professional licensure division.

Information regarding occupational schools and degree programs in Mississippi is included below:

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Jackson

The capital of Mississippi, Jackson is the largest city in the state. Occupational therapists in Jackson make an average salary of $78,709 per year. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the only option in the area to pursue a doctorate program. Further information regarding the university is included below:

The University of Mississippi Medical Center

Department of Occupational Therapy
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216-4505
slowman@umc.edu

  • Degree Level: The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers degree programs for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy.  
  • Credit Hours: 127 credit hours
  • Tuition(In-state): $20,373 per year
  • Application Due Date: Applications open on July 1st and end on Jan. 15th of the following year, for each year.
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: The OTD admissions team requires that four of seven specific prerequisite courses be completed by the application deadline. The prerequisites include statistics, psychology, and physics, among other courses.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Ridgeland

The town of Ridgeland lies just north of Jackson, Mississippi’s capital city. A Ridgeland occupational therapist’s average salary is $70,289 per year. However, aspiring occupational therapists in Ridgeland can only earn up to an associate’s in the town. The average salary of an occupational therapy assistant in this town is lower than someone who holds a doctorate in the field.

Holmes Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
412 West Ridgeland Avenue
Ridgeland, MS 39157
rdilmore@holmescc.edu

  • Degree Level: Holmes Community College in Ridgeland has a degree program for an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) for Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology (OTA).
  • Credit Hours: 76-80 credit hours
  • Tuition(In-state): Interested parties must inquire for more information.
  • Application Due Date: Applications close on March 1st of each year. All supplemental information is due by March 15th.
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Holmes Community College’s OTA Technology prerequisites include, but are not limited to: ACT scores, volunteer hours, and at least a 2.0 GPA.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Tupelo

Tupelo lies in the far northeastern corner of the state, where Mississippi meets Tennessee and Alabama. The average salary of an occupational therapy assistant in Tupelo is $49,736 per year. School options in this town are limited to Itawamba Community College.

Itawamba Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
2176 South Eason Boulevard
Tupelo, MS 38804
sdlomenick@iccms.edu

  • Degree Level: Itawamba Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science for Occupational Therapy Assistant Technology under their Health Science Programs.
  • Credit Hours: 86-90 credit hours
  • Tuition(In-state): Tuition fees are dependent on place of residence.
  • Application Due Date: The recommended application deadline is March 15th, although certain materials can be sent in all the way up to April 1st.
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Applications must include a high school diploma, ACT scores, and a GPA of at least 2.0, among other requirements. Refer to the aforementioned link for further information.

Accredited Occupational Therapy Programs in Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg, Mississippi is situated just under 90 miles southeast of Jackson. The average salary of an occupational therapy assistant in Hattiesburg is $51,507 per year. Pearl River Community College offers the only accredited occupational therapy program in Hattiesburg.

Pearl River Community College

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
5448 U.S. Highway 49 South
Hattiesburg, MS 39401-7806
tpulver@prcc.edu

  • Degree Level: Pearl River Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science for the Occupational Therapy Assistant degree program.
  • Credit Hours: ~77 credit hours
  • Tuition(In-state): The estimated cost of tuition falls around $1,625 per semester.
  • Application Due Date: Applications must be in by May 1st.
  • Prerequisites/Application Requirements: Application requirements can be found under the program’s frequently asked questions.