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Rebecca Cunningham MA ’15

What brought you to occupational therapy?
My initial interest was sparked from witnessing the progress my cousin, who has a diagnosis of Asperger’s, was making by working with his occupational therapist. I knew then that any career that could have that kind of impact on a person’s life was something I had to be a part of.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
I received my degree in psychology from the University of California, San Diego in 2008, and stayed on as the lab manager of the Developmental Cognitive and Social Neuroscience Lab until I came to USC. I ran multiple projects during my time there that involved both behavioral and Event Related Potential (ERP) testing. These projects included memory studies with 8 and 9 month olds, social referencing with 18 month olds, and help-seeking behavior with 2 and 3 year olds.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Camping, reading, pilates, and cross-stitching.

If we opened your fridge what would we see?
Greek yogurt, banana bread, extreme moose tracks ice cream, and all sorts of leftovers.

What are two truths and a lie about yourself?
I learned to hula during college. I had ACL reconstruction surgery when I was 17. I am originally from Tennessee.

Note: Rebecca is now Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy in the Chan Division.

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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.