University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Academics
Academics

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

Entry-Level Professional Program 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, you undertake the first of two level 2 fieldwork experiences. By the end of the second summer you 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

    AND:

  • 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)

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

    AND:

  • 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)

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, if you are pursuing the thesis option you will have completed a total of 76 units and if you are pursuing the comprehensive exam option you 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

    AND:

  • 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)

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

    AND:

  • 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)

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)