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Rishita Shah MA ’18

What brought you to occupational therapy?
My grandfather was a doctor and I remember spending my early childhood days visiting his clinic. He was my motivation in starting a career in healthcare. After my medical entrance test, I was confused between Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. I took a chance in joining an OT school because I was not sure what the field was about. Eventually, with time, I started loving the profession. I received my bachelor’s degree from Seth G.S Medical College in India. After my under-graduate degree, I worked in pediatrics providing interventions through home-based practice for 30 months. Now here I am, joyfully pursuing my masters at USC. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” — Mae West.

What area of practice are you interested in or have practiced in?
Pediatrics, Lifestyle Redesign and Mental Health.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Travel, Music and Eating. (Anything is good if its food!) Lol

What song can you sing entirely by heart?
See You Again.

If you could visit any time in history, where would you go and why?
Well, I think my childhood days are the ones I cherish the most because there were no worries and only happiness.

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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.