Post-Professional Master’s (MA) of Occupational Therapy
The Post-Professional Master’s degree program is designed for the individual who is already a certified or board-eligible occupational therapist, or an international therapist who has completed a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university or a program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy® (WFOT).
A Global Community
In 1947, USC Chan officially established the world’s first Post-Professional Master of Arts degree program in occupational therapy and we have continued to grow as a global community. Our students and alumni hail from 63 countries on 6 continents and we welcome international students.
The USC Chan Post-Professional Master’s program requires the completion of 32 units of coursework, including:
Required occupational therapy coursework
Elective courses to build specialized expertise in areas of your interest
You are also required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better (both applied and overall) throughout the program.
Practicing as an Occupational Therapist in the United States
If you plan to practice occupational therapy in the United States, you must apply for OTR certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT®) after the completion of your studies. Please view the nbcot.org website for more details. Select the students tab, then “Eligibility,” then “Internationally Educated” under Certification Eligibility Requirements. Here you can find relevant information and resources related to the Occupational Therapist Eligibility Determination (OTED®) process. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT® certification examination or attain state licensure. Be aware that NBCOT® may request additional coursework or materials to process your application.
OT 500a (2 units): Clinical Problems in Occupational Therapy
OT 512 (2 units): Survey of US Health Systems
OT 519 (3 units): Foundations in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
OT 526 (3 units): Practice Scholar: Applying Quantitative Evidence
OT 5** (6 units): Elective courses
Spring Semester
OT 500b (3 units): Clinical Problems in Occupational Therapy
OT 536 (3 units): Practice Scholar: Applying Qualitative Evidence
OT 540 (2 units): Leadership Capstone
OT 5** (8 units): Elective courses
Chan Division Electives
Below is a representative list of elective courses. The specific courses offered each semester may vary.
OT 538: Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood and Aging
OT 550: Lifestyle Redesign®: Pain and Headache Management
OT 551: Lifestyle Redesign®: Weight Management and Related Conditions
OT 552: Lifestyle Redesign®: Neurological Conditions
OT 560: Contemporary Issues in School-Based Practice
OT 562: Advanced Hand Rehabilitation and Certification (PAMS) *
OT 566: Healthcare Communication with Spanish-Speaking Clients
OT 567: Contemporary Issues: OT in Early Intervention
OT 569: Sensory Integration Theory
OT 570: Evaluation and Clinical Reasoning: Sensory Integration
OT 572: Ergonomics
OT 573: Hand Rehabilitation *
OT 574: Enhancing Motor Control for Occupation
OT 575: Dysphagia Across the Lifespan: Pediatrics through Geriatrics *
OT 577: Seminar in OT (NBCOT)
OT 578: Therapeutic Communication
OT 579: OT in Adult Neuro Rehab
OT 610: SI Dysfunction
OT 638: Mentored Practicum in Lifestyle Redesign®
* Contribute toward Advanced Practice Certification by the California Board of Occupational Therapy
Other USC School Electives (500-level classes and above)
Occupational therapy elective course work may be combined with four units from another school within USC.
USC Chan recognizes that the occupational therapy workforce does not fully reflect the range of backgrounds and experiences represented among those receiving healthcare services. Consequently, our academic programs are committed to recruiting highly qualified applicants of all backgrounds, and to expanding access through financial support for promising students, particularly those who have faced barriers to higher education. Read more about Community, Culture, and Belonging at USC Chan and our Access to OT Mentoring Program.
A Day in the Life of a Post-Professional Master of Arts Student
Giorgio, a student in the Post-Professional Master’s program, shares about daily life as a graduate student studying occupational therapy at the University of Southern California.
Favorite Courses
USC Chan Post-Professional Master’s students share their favorite core courses and elective courses. This video was created, filmed, and edited by USC Chan students.
