USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

The USC Peace Garden project, led by USC Chan faculty member Dr. Camille Dieterle, is transforming a little-used lot near the USC University Park Campus into an outdoor wellness space for education, research and programs serving the community. At the garden, undergraduate student Trenyce Tong works on her mural titled “Little Garden.” Photo by Gus Ruelas.

Administration

Associate Dean and Chair: Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Faculty

Mrs. T.H. Chan Professorship in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Associate Dean and Chair: Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Chairs: Sarah Bream, OTD, OTR/L; Jesús DÍaz, OTD, OTR/L; Julie McLaughlin Gray, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Mary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Professors: Lisa Aziz-Zadeh, PhD; Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Sharon Cermak, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Mary Lawlor, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Associate Professors: Sook-Lei Liew, PhD, OTR/L; Bobbi Pineda, PhD, OTR/L, CNT; Elizabeth Pyatak, PhD, OTR/L; Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, RMSKS (Sonography), FAOTA

Assistant Professors: Joy Agner, PhD, OTR/L; Amber Angell, PhD, OTR/L; Alison M. Cogan PhD, OTR/L; Leah Duker, PhD, OTR/L

Professors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Rebecca Aldrich, PhD, OTR/L; Sarah Bream, OTD, OTR/L; Julie McLaughlin Gray, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Katie Jordan, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Deborah Pitts, PhD, MBA, OTR/L, BCMH (Mental Health), CPRP, FAOTA; Chantelle Rice, OTD, OTR/L

Associate Professors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Yasi Amanat, OTD, OTR/L; Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L; Amber Bennett, OTD, OTR/L;  Allison Chu, OTD, OTR/L; Celso Delgado Jr., OTD, OTR/L; Camille Dieterle, OTD, OTR/L; Don Gordon, PhD, OTR/L; Jess Holguin, OTD, OTR/L; Tracy Jalaba, OTD, OTR/L; Jennifer Jones, OTD, OTR/L; Karrie Kingsley, OTD, OTR/L; Kimberly Lenington, OTD, OTR/L; John Margetis, OTD, OTR/L; Tessa Milman, OTD, OTR/L; Stacey Morikawa, OTD, OTR/L; Michael McNulty, OTD, OTR/L; Emily Ochi, OTD, OTR/L; Daniel Park, OTD, OTR/L; Elyse Peterson, OTD, OTR/L; Samia Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR (Physical Rehabilitation), CBIS (Brain Injury); Lindsey Reeves, OTD, OTR/L; Amanda Speights DHSc, OTR/L; Linsey Smith, OTD, OTR/L; Shelby Surfas, OTD, OTR/L; Bari Turetzky, OTD, OTR/L; Ashley Uyeshiro, OTD, OTR/L; Jamie Wilcox, OTD, OTR/L

Assistant Professors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Melina Allahverdian, OTD, OTR/L; Erin Bussell OTD, OTR/L, PAMS; Candace Chatman, OTD, OTR/L; Ellie Clark, OTD, OTR/L; Catherine Crowley, OTD, OTR/L; Rebecca Cunningham, OTD, OTR/L; Nora Dixon, OTD, OTR/L; Heather Gates, OTD, OTR/L; Stephani Gharehptian, OTD, OTR/L; Caroline Hardin, OTD, OTR/L; Marisa Hernandez OTD, OTR/L; Lucy Hosoda, OTD, OTR/L; Jenna Kobara, OTD, OTR/L; Joshua Kotler, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS; James Lee OTD, OTR/L, MSG; Carnie Lewis, OTD, OTR/L; Julia Lisle OTD, OTR/L; Diego Lopez, OTD, OTR/L; Deanna Mannarelli, OTD, OTR/L; Marissa Marchioni, OTD, OTR/L; Elena Meng OTD, OTR/L; Stephanie Mielke, OTD, OTR/L; Kimberly Morris-Eggleston, OTD, OTR/L; Kristy Payne, OTD, OTR/L; Kelsey Peterson, OTD, OTR/L; Allison Phillips, OTD, OTR/L; Robert Russow OTD, OTR/L; Trevor San Antonio OTD, OTR/L; Clarissa Saunders-Newton, PhD, OTR/L; Lisa Semro, OTD, OTR/L; Emma Schiewe, OTD, OTR/L; Hyon Min (Catherine) Shin, OTD, OTR/L; Winny Soenaryo, OTD, OTR/L; Emily Sopkin, OTD, OTR/L; Lawrence Stevenson, OTD, OTR/L; Marilyn Thompson, OTD, OTR/L; Sonia Trejo, OTD, OTR/L; Stephanie Tsai, OTD, OTR/L; Christine Turnbull, OTD, OTR/L; Katherine (Kati) Wechsler, OTD, OTR/L; Janis Yue, OTD, OTR/L; Elizabeth Zepeda, OTD, OTR/L

Instructors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Julianne Angel OTR/L, CSRS, CBIS; Tiffany Barnes, OTR/L; Jane Baumgarten OTR/L; Cindy Luff, MA, OTR/L; Mireya Rodriguez; Joan Vartanian, BS, OTR/L

Professors of Research: Michael Carlson, PhD; John Sideris, PhD

Associate Professors of Research: Jesús DÍaz, OTD, OTR/L; Stacey Schepens Niemiec, PhD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor of Research: Raquael J. Joiner, PhD

Clinical Professor: Erna Blanche, PhD, OTR/L

Clinical Associate Professors: Janet Gunter, OTD, OTR/L; Ashley Halle, OTD, OTR/L

Clinical Assistant Professors: Aimee Aguillon OTD, OTR/L, CHT; Gabriel Cravens, OTD, OTR/L; Joan Surfus, OTD, OTR/L

Lecturer: Susan Bowles, OTD, OTR/L

Adjunct Associate Professors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Stefanie Bodison, OTD, OTR/L; Pamela Roberts, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Adjunct Assistant Professors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Mona Chung, OTD, OTR/L, HTC, PAMs; Michaelann Gabriele, OTD, OTR/L; Juliana Gutierrez, OTD, OTR/L; Dominique Kiefer, OTD, OTR/L; Miri Lee, OTD, OTR/L; Colin Lenington, OTD, OTR/L; Carly Roberts, OTD, OTR/L; Gustavo Reynoso, PhD, OTR/L

Adjunct Instructors of Clinical Occupational Therapy: Remy Chu, MHA, OTR/L; Lisa Deshaies, MA, OTR/L; Heidi Dombish, MS, OTR/L; Rosemond Seligson, OTR/L, ATP

Emeritus Professors: Florence Clark, PhD; Linda Fazio, PhD; William Morgan, PhD; Elizabeth J. Yerxa, EdD, LHD (Hon.), ScD (Hon.), DMed (Hon.), FAOTA; Ruth Zemke, PhD, FAOTA

Degrees Offered

The USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers the following academic programs: a Minor in Occupational Science, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Occupational Therapy, a post-professional Master of Arts (MA) in Occupational Therapy, an entry-level Occupational Therapy Clinical Doctorate (OTD), a post-professional Occupational Therapy Clinical Doctorate (OTD), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Science. The Chan Division also offers Graduate Certificate programs in Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® as well as Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration.

The entry-level OTD is open to individuals with at least a Bachelor’s degree or who are continuing their education following the BS in Occupational Therapy at USC. The entry-level OTD degree program has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). Entry into occupational therapy practice is at the graduate degree level only. To practice as an occupational therapist, USC students in the BS or entry-level OTD program must complete all requirements to earn the OTD degree, pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT) exam, and obtain a license.

The post-professional MA in Occupational Therapy and the post-professional OTD are open to certified occupational therapists seeking an advanced degree. The PhD in Occupational Science is open to individuals with at least a Bachelor’s degree from any background interested in becoming a career scientist focused on studying human occupation.

Pi Theta Epsilon

Pi Theta Epsilon is the national honor society for occupational therapy students and alums. This society recognizes and encourages superior scholarship among students enrolled in entry-level graduate programs of occupational therapy across the United States.

The Alpha Eta Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) at the University of Southern California selects candidates early in the spring semester of each year based on National PTE guidelines related to academic standing and students’ potential for leadership in the profession.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

• •  Occupational Therapy (BS)

Minor

• •  Occupational Science Minor

Master’s Degree

• •  Occupational Therapy (MA)

Graduate Certificate

• •  Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate
• •  Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate

Doctoral Degree

• •  Entry-Level Occupational Therapy (OTD)
• •  Occupational Science (PhD)
• •  Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Courses

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

• •  OT 100 THRIVE: Foundations of Well-Being
• •  OT 101x Caring For Your Self: Engaging in Healthy Habits and Routines
• •  OT 105g Culture, Medicine and Politics
• •  OT 200 Medical Terminology for Health Professions
• •  OT 220 Lifestyle Design: Self-Analysis of Activities for Health
• •  OT 250 Introduction to Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 251 Across the Lifespan: Occupations, Health and Disability
• •  OT 260 Human Functional Anatomy for Allied Health Professions
• •  OT 261 Human Physiology for Allied Health Professions
• •  OT 280 Essential Occupations of Emerging Adulthood
• •  OT 299 Special Topics
• •  OT 300 Occupational Expressions of Diverse Identities and Lifestyles
• •  OT 310 Exploring Creative Occupations
• •  OT 312 Living a Sustainable Life
• •  OT 320 The Nature of Human Occupation: Form, Function, and Meaning
• •  OT 325 The Brain: Mind, Body, and Self
• •  OT 330 Our Families, Ourselves
• •  OT 333 Sports Ethics
• •  OT 340 Animal and Human Interconnections in Daily Life
• •  OT 350 Disability, Occupations, and the Health Care System
• •  OT 355 Social Justice and Community Engagement
• •  OT 360 Tell Me a Story: Narratives in Health and in Illness
• •  OT 370 Understanding Autism and Neurodiversity: Participation Across the Lifespan
• •  OT 375 The Narrative Structure of Social Action: Narrative, Healing and Occupation
• •  OT 390 Special Problems
• •  OT 490x Directed Research
• •  OT 499 Special Topics
• •  OT 500a Clinical Problems in Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 500b Clinical Problems in Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 500c Clinical Problems in Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 501L Practice Immersion: Adult Physical Rehabilitation
• •  OT 502L Practice Immersion: Mental Health
• •  OT 503L Practice Immersion: Pediatrics
• •  OT 504L Practice Immersion: Productive Aging and Geriatrics
• •  OT 510 Foundations of Occupation: Kinesiology in Daily Life
• •  OT 511 Reflective, Responsive and Engaged Professionals 1
• •  OT 512 Survey of U.S. Health Systems
• •  OT 514 Foundations of Occupation: Neuroscience in Daily Life
• •  OT 515 Neuroscience of Behavior
• •  OT 516 Foundations of Occupation: Creativity, Craft and Activity Analysis
• •  OT 517 Foundations of Occupation: Sensory Processing in Daily Life
• •  OT 518 Quantitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice
• •  OT 519 Theoretical Foundations of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 521 Reflective, Responsive and Engaged Professionals 2
• •  OT 525 Qualitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice
• •  OT 526 Practice Scholar: Applying Quantitative Evidence
• •  OT 527 Health Systems and Global Context
• •  OT 531 Reflective, Responsive and Engaged Professionals 3
• •  OT 534 Health Promotion and Wellness
• •  OT 536 Practice Scholar: Applying Qualitative Evidence
• •  OT 537 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community
• •  OT 538 Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood and Aging
• •  OT 539 Applying Occupational Science: Health Promotion and Primary Care
• •  OT 540 Leadership Capstone
• •  OT 545 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science
• •  OT 550 Lifestyle Redesign: Pain and Headache Management
• •  OT 551 Lifestyle Redesign: Weight Management and Related Conditions
• •  OT 552 Lifestyle Redesign: Neurological Conditions
• •  OT 560 Contemporary Issues in School-Based Practice
• •  OT 561 Occupational Therapy in Acute Care
• •  OT 562 Advanced Hand Rehabilitation and Certification (PAMs)
• •  OT 563 Occupational Therapy in Primary Health Care Environments
• •  OT 564 Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration
• •  OT 565 Sensory Integration Interventions
• •  OT 566 Healthcare Communication with Spanish-Speaking Clients
• •  OT 567 Contemporary Issues: Occupational Therapy in Early Intervention
• •  OT 568 Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration: Special Topics
• •  OT 569 Sensory Integration Theory
• •  OT 570 Evaluation and Clinical Reasoning: Sensory Integration
• •  OT 571 Assistive Technology
• •  OT 572 Ergonomics
• •  OT 573 Hand Rehabilitation
• •  OT 574 Enhancing Motor Control for Occupation
• •  OT 575 Dysphagia Across the Lifespan: Pediatrics through Geriatrics
• •  OT 576 Universal Design
• •  OT 577 Seminar in Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 578 Therapeutic Communication: Facilitating Change in Clients
• •  OT 579 Occupational Therapy in Adult-Neurorehabilitation
• •  OT 581 Quantitative Research for the Practicing Clinician
• •  OT 582 Occupational Science Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign
• •  OT 583 Current Applications of Lifestyle Redesign
• •  OT 584 Clinical Applications of Telehealth Technologies in OT
• •  OT 585 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science
• •  OT 586 Fieldwork with Seminar
• •  OT 588 Building Technologies that Promote Health and Well-Being
• •  OT 589 Interprofessional Education and Collaboration for Geriatrics
• •  OT 590 Directed Research
• •  OT 594a Master’s Thesis
• •  OT 594b Master’s Thesis
• •  OT 594z Master’s Thesis
• •  OT 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training
• •  OT 599 Special Topics
• •  OT 610 Sensory Integrative Dysfunction
• •  OT 617 Visionaries: Innovation and Technology to Promote Occupation
• •  OT 618 Visionaries: Agents of Transformation
• •  OT 619 Applying Occupational Science: Lifestyle Redesign
• •  OT 620 Current Issues in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
• •  OT 621 Occupational Therapy Leadership: Contemporary Issues
• •  OT 622 Advanced Clinical Perspectives: Neurocognition and Occupation
• •  OT 623 Advanced Clinical Perspectives: Medical Complexity and Occupation