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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 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.