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Bachelor’s to Master’s
Course Sequence

Please note: USC Chan is in the process of transitioning from an entry-level master’s program to an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. This change could impact students as early as the bachelor’s class of 2023. In the event that the Division moves to an entry-level OTD program while you are completing your bachelor’s degree, in order to remain in the OT program at USC you would will need to apply to and complete the OTD program following completion of your bachelor’s degree.

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.

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

Spring Semester — Junior Year

Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.

• OT 441 (2 units): Foundations: Neuroscience
• OT 406 (2 units): Foundations: Creativity, Craft and Activity Analysis
• 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 (2 units): Therapeutic Use of Self
• OT 515 (4 units): Neuroscience of Behavior
• OT 518 (4 units): Quantitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice

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 (3 units): Clinical Reasoning
• OT 523 (3 units): Communication Skills for Effective Practice
• OT 525 (4 units): Qualitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice

Summer Session (following graduation)

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

• OT 586 (2 units): Clinical Internship with Seminar

MA 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 (2 units): Health Promotion and Wellness
• OT 537 (4 units): Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community
• OT 538 (2 units): Current Issues In Practice: Adulthood and Aging

Spring Semester

Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.

• OT 540 (2 units): Leadership Capstone
• OT 545(2 units): Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science
• 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 (2 units): Clinical Internship with Seminar

(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 (2 units): Health Promotion and Wellness
• OT 537 (4 units): Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community
• OT 538 (2 units): Current Issues In Practice: Adulthood and Aging

Spring Semester

Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.

• OT 540 (2 units): Leadership Capstone
• OT 545 (2 units): Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science
• Elective courses (4 units)
• OT 594a (2 units): Thesis

Summer Session

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

• OT 586 (2 units): Clinical Internship with Seminar

Fall Semester

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

• OT 594b (2 units): Thesis

Spring Semester (if necessary)

Spring semester begins in January and continues for 16 weeks.

• OT 594z (2 units): Thesis

USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master's degree program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.