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Ellie Bendetson MA ’20

What brought you to USC?
On paper, USC had everything I was looking for; it has arts, sports and academics, but it wasn’t until I walked onto campus that I realized it was the school for me. The opportunity to study what I love (occupational therapy, of course!) while enjoying the beautiful weather was icing on the cake.

What brought you to Occupational Therapy?
When I was in high school, I became a part of an organization that performed musical theater for different need-based organizations such as rehabilitation centers, juvenile detention centers, homeless shelters, day programs for adults with developmental disabilities and more. I became enthralled in how much the music, words, dances and comedy could positively impact the audiences watching. Through this involvement, I was able to work alongside a group of inspiring, smart, altruistic people and I knew I wanted to find a field for me to express my creativity and my need to help others. I was able to make an impact, while learning so much myself and what I had to offer. When I heard about the occupational therapy program at USC, I knew it was a perfect combination of the biomechanical, the creative and the philanthropic. It checked all the boxes and since beginning the MA II program, I have been able to continuously see the incredible impact our field can have on others. Everyday, I fall more and more in love with what our field can do, how it can impact the lives of our patients and with all of the incredible people who call themselves OTs!

What song can you sing entirely by heart?
I can (terribly) sing a couple songs by heart, but my proudest is that I can rap all of Lose Yourself by Eminem.

What are some small things that make your day better?
When I’m feeling stressed, I find that surrounding myself with friends, dogs, nature and baked goods helps to pick me up, give me a little perspective and put me in a great mood.

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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 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) is accredited 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.

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. All states require licensure to practice; a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® OTR certification examination or attain state licensure. Program results from the NBCOT® can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.