Master of Arts

The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers a Master of Arts degree with two routes of entry. Those with a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy who are certified or eligible for certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy 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 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination occurs when all 400-level course work is completed, including the six months of internship, and the M.A. degree has been awarded.

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 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy; 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 and 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 life span development, introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and either cultural anthropology or sociology, experience (volunteer or paid) in a helping role with individuals and/or groups (for example, camp counselor or youth group leader) and 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 and a statement of purpose/autobiographical sketch.

Courses prerequisite to master's degree work include: OT 405, 415, 420, 440, 441, 452, 453, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 485 and 486ab.

Application Procedure

For those with baccalaureate degrees in occupational therapy: applications are accepted at any time, preferably by March 31 for fall admission.

For those with degrees in fields other than occupational therapy: applications are due February 15. The 400-level courses which are prerequisites to 500-level work in occupational therapy begin in June.

Applications received after the February 15 deadline 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 Science and 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 Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, 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 Admission section of this catalogue. International students must demonstrate competency in English, as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Degree Requirements

This degree is under the jurisdiction of the 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 2/3 of units applied to the degree must be at the 500 level or higher.

Required courses for both options		Units
OT 506	History of Occupational Therapy Practice	4
OT 507	Theory in a Practice Profession	4
OT 550	Occupational Behavior Model	4
OT 588	Research Methods	4
PM 510L	Biometry Principles	4

Thesis Option

A minimum of 28 units is required: 20 units of required courses, four units of elective and four units of OT 594ab Master's Thesis. Acceptance of the thesis by the guidance committee and the university completes the degree.

Comprehensive Examination Option

A minimum of 32 units is required: 20 units of required courses, four units of elective and eight units of occupational therapy electives. Successful performance on a written comprehensive examination administered on campus each semester completes the degree.

NEXT SECTION