Occupational Therapy (MA)

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0); completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within five years of planned enrollment; three letters of recommendation; a personal statement and supplemental application questions. A satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within two years of enrollment is required for most international students.

Those with a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university or a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved program may apply for Advanced Standing.

Those with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than occupational therapy must have completed all of the following prerequisites:

• within seven years of enrollment
• prior to the start of the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (pass/fail or grades below a C are not accepted)
• from an accredited junior college, college or university
• either in a classroom setting or online
• (with exception of medical terminology which may be 1 or 2 units) as follows (course numbers refer to USC courses, but prerequisites can be taken at any accredited college or university):

Notes:

^*If anatomy and physiology are combined, students must take two sequential semesters with a laboratory each semester (6–8 units).

Four-week intensive courses are offered by the division in human anatomy (OT 260 ) and human physiology (OT 261 ) from mid-May to mid-June (just prior to the start of summer professional courses) for students unable to complete those courses earlier. These courses are also offered fall and spring semesters.

Application Procedures

For those with a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy: applications are accepted at any time, preferably by February 15 for fall admission.

For those with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than occupational therapy: applications are due by November 1 for summer admission.

Applications received after the November 1 deadline are considered on a space-available basis.

Application materials include:

1. USC Online Graduate Application with division supplemental application materials (required only for those with a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy)
2. OTCAS online application required only for applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than occupational therapy)
3. three letters of recommendation
4. transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
5. personal statement
6. supplemental application questions
7. official results of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
8. TOEFL or IELTS scores if required

A personal interview may be requested. Please see the division Website for the most up-to-date application procedures: chan.usc.edu/.

International Students

Students educated outside the United States must have their credentials evaluated by the Office of Graduate Admission before their application to the division can be reviewed. International students must demonstrate competency in English, as measured by the TOEFL or the IELTS.  See the Admission section of this catalogue.

Degree Requirements

The MA degree is under the jurisdiction of the USC Graduate School. Students should also refer to the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Requirements include: GPA of 3.0 in all course work attempted and all course work applied to the degree; at least two-thirds of units applied to the degree must be at the 500 level or higher.

Students without a prior degree in occupational therapy take both the foundation core courses and the advanced core courses listed below. OT 405  , OT 406 L, OT 440 L and OT 441 L are foundational courses that students are required to pass before they may register for any other courses in the master’s program. Students must complete all subsequent courses in the program on a full-time basis and in sequence, except for students requiring disability accommodations.

Students with a degree in occupational therapy from outside of USC may apply for Advanced Standing, reducing the units required for the degree from 80 units to 32 units (or from 76 units to 28 units for the thesis option). Students who have earned a BS in Occupational Therapy from USC may apply for Advanced Standing and follow the curriculum outlined under Advanced Core Courses for the Bachelor to Master Program, reducing total units required for the degree from 80 units to 36 units, which includes 4 units of Clinical Internship with Seminar (or 76 units to 32 units for the thesis option). All students must complete either the Thesis or Comprehensive Exam option.

Comprehensive Examination Option

In addition to the required courses, 4 units of electives and 8 units of occupational therapy electives are required. All electives must be 500 level or above. Successful performance on a written comprehensive examination administered on campus each fall and spring semester completes the degree.

Thesis Option

In addition to the required courses, 4 units of electives at 500 level or above, and 4 units of Master’s Thesis OT 594a  and OT 594b  are required. Acceptance of the thesis by the master’s committee and the university completes the degree.

Required Courses

Required Courses for Advanced Standing

Advanced Core Courses for students in the USC Bachelor’s to Master’s Program (22 units)

• Complete Practice Immersion Series (8 units):

• OT 501L Practice Immersion: Adult Physical Rehabilitation Units: 8 or
• OT 502L Practice Immersion: Mental Health Units: 8 or
• OT 503L Practice Immersion: Pediatrics Units: 8

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• OT 534 Health Promotion and Wellness Units: 2
• OT 537 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community Units: 4
• OT 538 Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood and Aging Units: 2
• OT 540 Leadership Capstone Units: 2
• OT 545 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science Units: 2
• OT 586 Fieldwork with Seminar Units: 1, 2 (2 units required)*

• *Students are expected to take one 2-unit section of this course.