The undergraduate curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Occupational Therapy. Beginning fall 2015, students must apply to the major as incoming freshmen and will begin professional study during their junior year. Students enrolled at USC prior to fall 2015 may apply for junior entry to the program any time prior to May 15 of their sophomore year. Students majoring in occupational therapy can earn a USC master’s degree in occupational therapy with just one additional year instead of the traditional two years, substantially reducing their overall cost of education and preparing them sooner for the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT) examination. Successful completion of the Master of Arts degree and successful completion of a minimum of 24 full-time weeks of clinical fieldwork are required for eligibility to sit for the NBCOT examination. Certification from the board and licensure (most states) are required to practice as an occupational therapist. (See here for a description of the MA degree program.)
Admission Criteria and Application Procedures for Incoming Freshmen
See the Undergraduate Admission section of this catalogue for admission criteria and application procedures for the university.
Deadlines for Current USC Students
If enrolled at USC prior to fall 2015, sophomores may apply by May 15 for admission to begin the program in the fall of their junior year. The junior year entry option has very limited admissions availability each year and available spaces are not guaranteed.
Students admitted to USC after fall 2015 will not be eligible to apply for junior entry to the program.
Program Requirements
A total of 128 units is required for the Bachelor of Science degree. An occupational therapy major cannot count any 300-level OT course toward the BS degree.
General Education Requirements
The university’s general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge needed to become a well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing, diversity and foreign language requirements, which together comprise the USC Core. See The USC Core and the General Education Program for more information.
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