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Samantha Trout MA ’17

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I was a freshman at Boston University majoring in Journalism when I decided that I needed a profession that incorporated creativity with helping people. I spoke with an advisor who told me about OT. I was hooked. The more I learned about the field, the more convinced and passionate I become about OT’s unique stance on healthcare. I transferred to USC for my sophomore year and have not looked back.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I would like to work with Veterans as well as opportunities in Animal Assisted therapy.

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
Fresh fruits and veggies, almond milk, veggie burgers/tofu, microwave burritos (for crazy days), and oatmeal. I do not keep oatmeal in the fridge but it’s basically a food group for me.

What are two truths and a lie about yourself?
I never learned how to swim. I played guitar in a bluegrass band. I was a strict vegan until the age of 10.

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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.