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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Academics
Academics

Bachelor’s to Master’s In Occupational Therapy | Course Sequence

You will taken the pre-professional courses and university general education requirements during your freshmen and sophomore year.  The professional courses begin in your junior year.

B.S. Professional Course Sequence (Junior and Senior years)*

View all Course Descriptions.
*Courses are subject to change.

Fall Semester - Junior Year

Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for 16 weeks. During your junior year, your classes generally meet once or twice a week on USC’s Health Sciences Campus.

  • OT 405 Foundations: Occupation (2 units)
  • OT 440 Foundations: Kinesiology (2 units)
  • Other university coursework as needed (8-14 units)

Spring Semester - Junior Year

Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.

  • OT 441 Foundations: Neuroscience (2 units)
  • OT 406 Foundations: Creativity, Craft and Activity Analysis (2 units)
  • Other university coursework as needed (8-14 units)

Fall Semester - Senior Year

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 - Senior Year

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 (following graduation)

Summer session begins in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.

  • OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)

M.A. in Occupational Therapy (One-Year): Course Sequence*

*Courses are subject to change.

(Comprehensive Exam Option)

Fall Semester

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 and Aging (2 units)

Spring Semester

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

Summer session begins in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.

  • OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)

(Thesis Option)

Fall Semester

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 and Aging (2 units)

Spring Semester

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 (4 units)
  • OT 594a Thesis (2 units)

Summer Session

Summer session begins in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.

  • OT 586 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)

Fall Semester

Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for 16 weeks.

  • OT 594b Thesis (2 units)

Spring Semester (if necessary)

Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.

  • OT 594z Thesis (2 units)