Independent Health Professions at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is a post-professional degree program that provides graduates with advanced knowledge and skills in one of four leadership concentrations: 1) advanced clinical practice; 2) policy and administrative leadership; 3) educational leadership; and (4) research expertise. OTD students graduate from the program with a strong foundation in occupational science as well as in-depth mentored residency experience. The OTD prepares graduates to secure positions as expert clinicians in specialty or emerging practice areas, as administrative leaders within health care organizations, as non-tenure track faculty in institutions of higher education, and as contributors to clinical research teams.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the OTD 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 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT) examination at time of matriculation. Domestic students not certified upon matriculation must pass the NBCOT examination by the end of the first semester of the program to maintain enrollment. At the discretion of the OTD director, some international students may not be required to obtain NBCOT certification. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and a minimum score of 153 on the Verbal section, a minimum score of 144 on the Quantitative section, and a minimum of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) must be achieved within 5 years of planned enrollment. Applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in the 400- and 500-level required courses. At least three letters of reference, an autobiographical statement of purpose and a current resume are required. Applicants’ leadership potential, previous academic record, clinical experiences and professional accomplishments will also be considered.
International Students
Students educated outside the United States must have graduated from a program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). USC maintains additional admissions requirements for international students (see the Admission section of this catalogue), including English language competence as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination.
Application Procedures
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. For consideration for fall semester admission, applications must be received by October 15 for maximum funding consideration. Applications received after October 15 will be considered on a space-available basis. Application requirements include: 1) USC Online Graduate Application; 2) USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy online supplemental application for graduate admission; 3) three letters of reference; 4) autobiographical statement of purpose; 5) transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; and 6) GRE General Test scores.
Degree Requirements
Satisfactory completion of 60 units beyond the baccalaureate degree is required. Students with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy may apply for Advanced Standing, which requires 36 units beyond the first graduate degree. These students do not take the 24 units of foundation courses listed below. If not admitted with advanced standing, a student may receive partial credit for course work taken for a previous graduate degree.
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 accepted by the USC Graduate School.
Course Requirements
| Required occupational therapy foundation courses (24 units required) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| OT 515 | Neuroscience of Behavior | 4 |
| OT 518 | Quantitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice, or | |
| OT 581 | Quantitative Research for the Practicing Clinician | 4 |
| OT 525 | Qualitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| OT 534 | Health Promotion and Wellness | 2 |
| OT 538 | Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood and Aging | 2 |
| OT 540 | Leadership Capstone | 2 |
| OT 545 | Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science | 2 |
| OT 500 level Electives | 4 | |
| Required occupational science advanced courses (8 units required) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| OT 620 | Current Issues in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy | 4 |
| OT 621 | Occupational Therapy Leadership: Contemporary Issues | 4 |
Elective Courses (4 units required)
Students will complete a minimum of 4 course units at the 500-level or higher selected from courses within or outside the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
Residency Requirement (24 units required)
Students will complete 24 units of OT 686 residency. The residency ensures that graduates of the OTD program demonstrate competence in one of the following leadership concentrations: 1) advanced clinical practice; 2) clinical research; 3) policy and administration; and 4) pedagogy.
At least 20 units applied toward the OTD must be successfully completed before enrolling in OT 686 unless advanced standing has been granted. Students may complete their residency over three consecutive semesters (6 units, 6 units and 12 units) or over four consecutive semesters. It is highly recommended that one semester of OT 686 be enrolled full-time (12 units without any other simultaneous course enrollment). Full-time residency ensures the opportunity for full immersion in residency. Faculty must approve each student’s residency plan prior to enrollment. OTD residency provides students the opportunity for mentorship by experts in their OTD leadership concentration (e.g., a master clinician, a world-class occupational science researcher, a leader in professional policy or administration, or a faculty member with at least three years of academic experience).
Portfolio Requirement
In the final semester of enrollment, each student will submit a portfolio demonstrating competence in his or her chosen leadership concentration. The final portfolio will include documentation of both written and oral presentation skills and expertise as designated in the residency plan.
Clinical Experience Criterion
If the student has less than three years of clinical experience as a registered and/or licensed occupational therapist at time of admission, he or she may be required to complete at least 8 units of clinical occupational therapy courses, which may include:
| 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 |