Culture, Community, and Belonging

The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is committed to preparing exceptional leaders with a strong identity and understanding of occupation and its power to transform people and society. One of our primary strategies for achieving this goal is expanding opportunities for all individuals within the occupational science and occupational therapy workforce. This involves a commitment to accountability, transparency, and consistent engagement to ensure we create and maintain a welcoming and supportive community for all.

Our programs are open to all eligible individuals. The Culture, Community, and Belonging committee operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

Student organizations focused on culture, community and belonging

While all student clubs and organizations offer the opportunity to engage with a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds, the primary aims of the organizations listed here are to promote community building and inclusive engagement.

Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD)
chan.usc.edu/people/student-groups/cotad
The goal of USC’s Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) chapter is to build diversity and inclusion within the Chan Division by increasing the profession’s visibility and accessibility to underrepresented groups and increasing cultural humility by sharing and learning about different lived experiences.

Asociación Hispanohablante de Terapia Ocupacional (AHTO)
chan.usc.edu/people/student-groups/cotad
Asociación Hispanohablante de Terapia Ocupacional (Spanish-speaking Occupational Therapy Association) is a flourishing student organization dedicated to improving the educational experience of Latinx and/or Hispanic-identifying occupational therapy students, serving as a resource for community members to support one another and advancing clinical care for Spanish-speaking/Latin American populations.

Other resources

Access, Mentorship, Opportunity Program (AMO)
The USC Chan Access, Mentorship, Opportunity Program supports current and prospective USC Chan students who are first-generation college students and/or who face financial or systemic barriers to accessing higher education.

General resources
General resources, including information about scholarships, and USC-wide resources.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
Published by USC’s Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX

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 (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®).

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 www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.