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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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About Us
About Us

USC OT/PT Summer Institute

USC OT/PT Summer Institute

The USC OT/PT Summer Institute is hosted by the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy. The institute is intended for undergraduate students who wish to gain a better understanding of the fields of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). Participants will learn through an engaging and reflective learning experience.

Throughout the six-week program, participants will begin to identify their personal values and goals to design their own educational and professional path. The Summer Institute will also outline the admissions process for applying to the USC OT and PT graduate degree programs. All participants are required to meet the application requirements when applying to either the OT or PT graduate degree programs.

Eligibility

USC OT/PT Summer Institute applicants must:

  • Be a rising sophomore, junior or senior.
  • Be a member of one of the following racial/ethnic groups: African American or Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latinx/Latine.
  • Have an interest in the field of OT and/or PT.
  • Be available to attend the full six-week program.

Programming

The USC OT/PT Summer Institute is a six-week program hosted by USC. Each week of the institute covers a different aspect of how OT and/or PT align with participants’ values and goals. After learning about the distinct values of OT and PT, participants will spend the following weeks curating a future lifestyle plan within the professions that aligns with their values, mapping their academic and professional goals, fostering mentorship within OT and/or PT and recognizing how to decrease health disparities throughout the pursuit of their goals.

The USC OT/PT Summer Institute is an online program. The structure of each week will include both synchronous and asynchronous content. Synchronous activities will be hosted over Zoom, a platform supported by almost all recent devices, and does not require any download/installation of software.

Synchronous activities will occur two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Each Tuesday and Thursday will include a presentation or panel corresponding to the week’s content, in addition to discussion time for participants. Outside of synchronous sessions, participants will complete asynchronous work to reflect on applying the content to their own values and goals, in preparation for synchronous discussion.

Program Dates: June 19 – July 28, 2023

Six-Week Overview
Week 1: Learning the distinct values of OT and PT
Week 2: Defining the life you want in healthcare
Week 3: Setting and attaining academic goals
Week 4: Receiving ongoing mentorship
Week 5: Working to reduce health disparities
Week 6: Planning for your future

Application Process

The deadline to complete and submit the application for the 2023 Institute is April 1, 2023. Applicants will be notified by May 1, 2023. Please apply using the online application.

Cost

The USC OT/PT Summer Institute is a free program.

Contact

Kimberly Kho MBA
Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Terry Richardson II PT, DPT
Instructor of Clinical Physical Therapy, and Faculty Advisor for USC’s Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance
USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy