Catalogue 2008-09

• The Schools

  USC Independent Health Professions at the School of Dentistry

  • Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
    • Master of Science
    • Doctor of Physical Therapy
    • Doctor of Philosophy
    • Courses of Instruction
  • Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
    • Bachelor of Science
    • Master of Arts
    • Doctor of Occupational Therapy
    • Doctor of Philosophy
    • Courses of Instruction
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Doctor of Occupational Therapy

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program prepares occupational therapists for leadership positions in health care, with a focus on applying knowledge developed in occupational science to practice health care policy and health care management. The O.T.D. degree is a professional degree that focuses on the practical application of knowledge about occupation in order to solve real-world health care problems in clinical and community settings.

Graduates are expected to demonstrate a solid understanding of occupational science research findings, to appropriately utilize research regarding occupation to guide therapeutic decision-making, and to integrate knowledge of occupation with information from other disciplines and professions in order to make sound clinical, administrative and policy decisions. In addition, each O.T.D. graduate is expected to acquire advanced skills in one or more of the following areas: development, implementation and evaluation of innovative service programs; public policy formulation and evaluation; or administration of health care systems.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the O.T.D. program are expected to have at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and must be certified or licensed as an occupational therapist, or be eligible to sit for the examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). A minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and a minimum score of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examinations are required. At least three letters of reference must be submitted as well as an autobiographical statement of purpose and a current resume. Considerations include evidence of leadership potential based on previous academic work as well as clinical experiences and professional accomplishments.

International Students

Occupational therapists educated outside of the United States must have credentials evaluated by the Office of Admission before applying to the department. See the Admission section of this catalogue. International students applying to the department will be considered for admission if they have graduated from an occupational ther-apy program that is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and have completed all requirements for practice as an occupational therapist in their country. International students must demonstrate competence in English, as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination.

Degree Requirements

The degree is awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the USC Graduate School.

Course Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 60 units beyond the baccalaureate degree is required.

Required occupational therapy courses		Units
OT 506	History of Occupational Therapy Practice	4
OT 507	Theory in a Practice Profession	4
OT 510	Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Occupational Data	4
OT 550	Occupational Behavior Model	4
OT 588	Research Methods	4

Clinical Experience Criterion

If, at the time of admission, the student has less than three years of clinical experience as a registered or licensed occupational therapist, he or she may be required to complete at least 8 units of clinical pathway occupational therapy courses, such as the following:

OT 500abc	Clinical Problems in Occupational Therapy	2-4 each
OT 560	Contemporary Issues in School-Based Practice	4
OT 564	Sensory Integration	4
OT 572	Ergonomics	4
OT 574	Enhancing Motor Control for Occupation	4
OT 583	Lifestyle Redesign	4
OT 590	Directed Research	1-12
OT 610	Sensory Integrative Dysfunction	4

Occupational Science Course Requirements

Completion of at least two 600-level courses (8 units) in occupational science is required.

Occupational science courses (8 units required)		Units
OT 604	Temporal Adaptation: Organization and Use of Time	4
OT 612	Information Processing and Occupation	4
OT 650	Development of Adaptive Skills	4
OT 651	Adaptation and Disability	4
OT 653	Play and Occupation	4
OT 655	Work and Leisure	4

Residency Requirement

Students must complete 24 units of OT 686 Residency. The residency is intended to ensure that students completing the O.T.D. program demonstrate competence in integrating advanced practice, policy and administration skills with knowledge emanating from occupational science. At least 20 units applied toward the O.T.D. must be successfully completed before enrolling in OT 686. One of the semesters of OT 686 must entail a full-time residency, that is, registration for 12 units with no other course work undertaken simultaneously. The purpose is to ensure that students have an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the application problems presented by their residency site. Faculty must approve the student's residency plan prior to enrollment. The student must present a portfolio demonstrating competence in program development, administration or policy formulation in the last semester of enrollment in OT 686 as the final step in completing the O.T.D. degree.

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