Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate

The Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate is a pathway for occupational therapy students or occupational therapists who wish to obtain advanced education and training in applying the Lifestyle Redesign intervention framework with diverse client populations.

The Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign Graduate Certificate fulfills all didactic requirements for Certification in Lifestyle Redesign. Obtaining this Graduate Certificate is not equivalent to earning Certification in Lifestyle Redesign, which requires completion of additional experience and evaluation requirements, as well as obtaining occupational therapy licensure. To learn more about the certification process, refer to the Lifestyle Redesign Certification Handbook.

Admissions

Current USC Chan Graduate Students

Applicants currently enrolled in a Chan graduate program at USC who are in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or above need only complete the online application form.

Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate
Informational Slides for Entry-Level OTD Students

Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate
Introduction Video and Informational Slides for Post-Professional MA Students

USC Chan Alumni

Chan alumni need only complete the required fields on the USC Graduate Admissions application; no personal statements or letters of reference are required. Please apply to the “Lifestyle Redesign® Certification Training Program” under the “USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.”
Note: Applicants must register for at least 1 unit during the semester in which they plan to complete the Graduate Certificate.

To apply to the program, you must:

• Submit an application to the University through USC Graduate Admissions.
• Submit your résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges you have attended to the USC Office of Admission, as directed in the online application process, at the following address:
  • Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
    Mail:
    University of Southern California
    USC Office of Graduate Admission
    3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

External Applicants

Applicants for the Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign Graduate Certificate who are currently licensed occupational therapists and have not matriculated at USC must submit a formal application to the University via the USC Graduate Admission website. Please apply to the “Lifestyle Redesign® Certification Training Program” under the “USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.” Visit the current USC Catalogue for more information.

To apply to the program, you must:

• Complete an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above from an accredited college or university. Conditional admission may be possible if your GPA is slightly below the requirement. If you have any questions about your specific situation, please feel free to contact our Admissions Team.
• Submit proof of licensure in occupational therapy in the United States, or proof of an equivalent credential to practice in your location. You must maintain your respective credentials throughout the duration of the program.
• Submit two letters of recommendation from professors, therapists, and/or other professionals familiar with your capabilities and achievements.
• Submit a personal statement (500 words or less) in response to the following prompt:
  

  Why do you want to pursue education in Lifestyle Redesign? Share your career goals and how Lifestyle Redesign will help you meet those goals.

  To address this prompt please upload a double-spaced essay that does not exceed 500 words.
• Submit your résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges you have attended to the USC Office of Admission, as directed in the online application process, at the following address:
  • Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  • Mail:
    University of Southern California
    USC Office of Graduate Admission
    3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

• English Proficiency: If your bachelor’s degree was earned in a non-English speaking country and you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, you need to submit scores from an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English). Please note that even if you are from an English-speaking country, you may still need to submit scores. We require that you have verification of the following scores within two years of your intended enrollment:

  • An Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90 with no less than 20 on each sub-score; or
  • An IELTS of 6.5 with no less than 6 on each band score; or
  • A PTE of 61 or above, with 53 or above on each band.
  • A Cambridge English score of 185 or above, with 169 or above on each skill.

  If your native language is English and/or you have a bachelor’s degree from a US college or university, you are exempted from this examination. If you have questions about division requirements for English proficiency scores, please contact our Admissions Team.

Application Deadlines
Your application will be reviewed once all your materials have been received. Applicants must start the program in the fall semester. To be considered for program admission, please submit your application by June 15. Applications received after this date are also welcome and will be processed on a space-available basis. Please contact our Admissions Team with specific questions regarding the application timeline.

Generative AI Statement
The USC Chan Division is committed to maintaining the integrity of our admissions process. Applicants are expected to take full responsibility for the accuracy and authenticity of all submitted materials, including Personal Statements, Letters of Recommendation, and other required essays or writing samples. The use of generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) in crafting these materials is not permitted. If it is determined that an applicant has used generative AI for these components, their application will not be considered.

Application Procedures
You may apply online at any time through the USC Graduate Admission website. Please apply to the “Lifestyle Redesign® Certification Training Program” under the “USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.”

Curriculum and Requirements

Current USC Chan Graduate Students and Externally-Trained (Non-USC Alumni) Occupational Therapists

A minimum of 12 units are required from the following required courses:

• OT 521 (3 units): Communication in Practice OR
    OT 578 (4 units): Therapeutic Communication: Facilitating Change in Clients
• OT 619 (3 units): Applying Occupational Science: Lifestyle Redesign®
• Two of the following:
  • OT 550 (2 units): Lifestyle Redesign®: Pain and Headache Management
  • OT 551 (2 units): Lifestyle Redesign®: Weight Management and Related Conditions
  • OT 552 (2 units): Lifestyle Redesign®: Neurological Conditions
• OT 638 (2 units): Mentored Practicum in Lifestyle Redesign®

Requirements for USC Chan Alumni

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International Applicants

All international applicants, please note the following:

This certificate program is not approved for I-20 or DS-2019 visa issuance. You may enroll in this program if you already have a visa status that allows you to study in the United States.

Contact Us

For general inquiries about the Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate Program, please contact Dr. Gabby Granados.

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 doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) 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 master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is in Accreditation–Inactive 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.

Professional program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the 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.