Faculty / Staff Resources Student Resources
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
X/Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
Education
Education

Entry-Level Doctorate (OTD)
of Occupational Therapy
Admissions

Holistic Admission Criteria

Holistic review evaluates applicants based on cognitive and non-cognitive traits, which ensures that more than one factor contributes to admission decisions. The four criteria included in USC Chan’s holistic review are:

  • Personal Statement
  • OTCAS Statements
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • GPA

How to Apply

Your application for USC’s Entry-Level OTD program must be completed through OTCAS, and must include the program-specific requirements for the University of Southern California.

To apply for Early Action, your application must be completed and Verified by OTCAS prior to November 1. We recommend that you submit your application at least three weeks prior to this deadline, as transcripts and other application materials may take three weeks or more to be processed by OTCAS. All materials must be received in order for your application to be reviewed. Please plan accordingly.

If you apply by the Early Action deadline, you will receive your admission decision prior to the end of the year. In addition, your application must be Verified by the Early Action deadline for your Research Student Worker or Vision Scholarship award application to be considered.

Applications that are Verified after November 1 will be reviewed for Regular Decision on a rolling basis. Division Tuition Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis and awarded upon admission.

Application Deadline Notification By
Early Action November 1, 2024 December 23, 2024
Regular Decision Rolling 6-8 weeks (excluding holidays)

Application Requirements

Prerequisites

Personal Statement

OTCAS Statements

Letters of Recommendation

GPA

Transcripts

English Proficiency

Other Requirements

Other Supporting Documents

Background Checks

Health Clearances

Please note
Students who complete their Level IIB Fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone Experience out of the area will have the option to participate in remote sections of the third year entry-level OTD courses.

Participation in remote courses throughout the third year of the program will require knowledge in using Brightspace as a Learning Management System and skills in using and navigating remote learning tools, such as Zoom, Turnitin, and others.

Additional Resources

Scholarships and Financial Aid

OTCAS Application Fee Waiver

FAQs

Contact Us