Home ⟩Education at USC Chan ⟩Entry-Level Doctorate (OTD) ⟩Meet the Students

Lamoni Lucas MA ’21

What brought you to occupational therapy?
During a career fair in college, I told someone at the healthcare table about my interest in sensory integration, social inclusion, and motor functioning. In a “DUH” kind of way, the woman told me about occupational therapy. It sounded too good to be true, to be honest. I brought it up to my mom and she told me that my little brother, who is on the mild end of the autism spectrum, has OT services in his Individualized Education Plan (IEP). How didn’t I know this?? I reached out to his therapist, started shadowing her and volunteered where OTs serviced. Quite early, I could see the role that occupational therapists played in my brother’s advancement. It was a no brainer that I HAD to be in this field.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I recently began learning the violin, I love exploring new food spots, and I’m getting back into weight training. The violin, eating good food, and the gym are all very therapeutic to me.

What song can you sing entirely by heart?
“We belong together” by Mariah Carey. I specifically remember writing down the lyrics for a friend in 5th grade.

What are some small things that make your day better?
Feeling ashy is devastating so I’d say that being adequately moisturized is a small thing that makes my day 100x better. If you ever need hand cream, I am here for you.

Note: Lamoni served as Student Ambassador within the Chan division during the 2020–21 academic year.

⋯

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.