Entry-Level Professional Master of Arts Degree | Course Sequence*
The following provides an overview of the two years of study for the Entry-Level Professional Master of Arts Program in Occupational Therapy.
*Courses are subject to change
Course Sequence
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Download a PDF version of the USC Entry-Level Professional Program Course Sequence
Course Overview
First-Year Course Overview
Read Course Descriptions here. The first year begins with 4 summer courses, for 8 units. Two of the 3 immersion courses and 6 additional core courses are completed for 36 units, 18 units in the fall and 18 units in the spring. During the following summer students undertake the first of two level 2 fieldwork experiences. By the end of the second summer students will have completed 46 units.
Summer Session 1
Summer session begins in mid-June and continues for eight weeks.
- OT 440 Foundations: Kinesiology (2 units)
- OT 441 Foundations: Neuroscience (2 units)
- OT 405 Foundations: Occupation (2 units)
- OT 406 Foundations: Creativity, Craft and Activity Analysis (2 units)
Fall Semester 1
Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for 16 weeks.
- Practice Immersion Course (ONE of the following along with 8 units of corresponding Level I fieldwork):
- OT 501 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
- OT 502 Mental Health
- OT 503 Pediatrics
- OT 511 Therapeutic Use of Self (2 units)
- OT 515 Neuroscience of Behavior (4 units)
- OT 518 Quantitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4 units)
AND:
Spring Semester 1
Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.
- Practice Immersion Course (ONE of the following along with 8 units of corresponding Level I fieldwork):
- OT 501 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
- OT 502 Mental Health
- OT 503 Pediatrics
- OT 521 Clinical Reasoning (3 units)
- OT 523 Communication Skills for Effective Practice (3 units)
- OT 525 Qualitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4 units)
AND:
Summer Session 2
Summer session begins in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.
- OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)
Second-Year Course Overview
The second year consists of the third and final immersion and 5 core courses for 20 units. The thesis option requires an additional 4 units of electives and 2 semesters of thesis units. The comprehensive exam option requires an additional 12 units of electives, at least 8 of which must be from the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Upon completion of the second fieldwork, thesis option students will have completed a total of 76 units and comprehensive exam option students will have completed a total of 80 units. NOTE: the actual sequence of the core courses may vary from year to year, but all 5 courses will be offered during fall and spring semesters.
(Comprehensive Exam Option)
Fall Semester 2
Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for 16 weeks.
- Practice Immersion Course (ONE of the following along with 8 units of corresponding Level I fieldwork):
- OT 501 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
- OT 502 Mental Health
- OT 503 Pediatrics
- OT 534 Health Promotion and Wellness (2 units)
- OT 537 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community (4 units)
- OT 538 Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood & Aging (2 units)
AND:
Spring Semester 2
Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.
- OT 540 Leadership Capstone (2 units)
- OT 545 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science (2 units)
- Elective courses (12 units)
- Comprehensive exam taken at end of semester
Summer Session 3
Summer session beings in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.
- OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)
(Thesis Option)
Fall Semester 2
Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for 16 weeks.
- Practice Immersion Course (ONE of the following along with 8 units of corresponding Level I fieldwork):
- OT 501 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
- OT 502 Mental Health
- OT 503 Pediatrics
- OT 534 Health Promotion and Wellness (2 units)
- OT 537 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community (4 units)
- OT 538 Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood & Aging (2 units)
AND:
Spring Semester 2
Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.
- OT 540 Leadership Capstone (2 units)
- OT 545 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science (2 units)
- Elective courses (12 units)
- OT 594a Thesis (2 units)
Summer Session 3
Summer session beings in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.
- OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)
Fall Semester 3 (and Spring Semester 3 as necessary)
Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for 16 weeks
- OT 594a Thesis (2 units)
- OT 594z Thesis (If necessary, each semester until thesis is completed)