Occupational Therapy, page 4
Independent Health Professions

Master of Arts

The Department of Occupational Therapy offers a Master of Arts degree with two routes entry. Those with a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy who are registered or eligible for registration by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board begin taking graduate course work (500-level) immediately. Those with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than occupational therapy take 400-level courses before beginning graduate work. For these students, eligibility to sit for the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board examination occurs when all 400-level course work is completed, including the six months of internship, and all requirements for the M.A. degree have been completed.

Admission Requirements

For those with baccalaureate degrees in occupational therapy: prerequisites are a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university; registration (or eligibility for registration) by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board; a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0); acceptable scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations; three letters of recommendation; an autobiographical sketch/statement of purpose.

For those with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than occupational therapy: prerequisites are a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; successful completion of the following courses: human anatomy with laboratory, human physiology with laboratory (or combined anatomy/physiology for a two-semester sequence), human growth and development, introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and either cultural anthropology or sociology as well as experience (volunteer or paid) in a helping role with individuals and/or groups (for example, camp counselor or youth group leader); experience (volunteer or paid) within a health care facility, preferably within an occupational therapy setting. Also required are a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0; a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in departmental prerequisite courses (see above) with no course work grade less than "C" (pass/fail grading is not acceptable for the departmental prerequisites); acceptable scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examinations; three letters of recommendation; an autobiographical sketch/statement of purpose.

Courses prerequisite to master's degree work include: OT 405, 415, 420, 440, 441, 452, 453, 463, 464, 484, 485 and 486abc.

Application Procedure

For those with baccalaureate degrees in occupational therapy: applications are due July 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.

For those with degrees in fields other than occupational therapy: applications are due March 30. The 400-level courses which are prerequisites to 500-level work in occupational therapy begin in June.

Later applications are considered on a space available basis. Application materials include: (1) separate application to the USC Graduate School; (2) departmental application form obtained from the Occupational Therapy Department; (3) three references indicating the applicant's perspectives on occupational therapy; (5) transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; (6) results of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examinations. This should be taken no later than the February prior to admission request. A personal interview may be requested. Application must be made to the Occupational Therapy Department, 1540 Alcazar Street (CHP-133), Los Angeles, CA 90033, as well as to the USC Admission Office. Transcripts must be sent to the department as well as to the Admission Office.

International Students

Occupational therapists educated outside of the United States must have credentials evaluated by the Office of International Admissions before initiating application to the department. See the Admissions section of this catalogue. International students must demonstrate competency in English, as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu