Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate

The Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate (SP/SI GC) is intended for those students who would like to develop an expertise in identifying sensory processing disorders and using sensory integration treatments to address them. The certificate encompasses five courses with the last one delivered in conjunction with hands-on clinical practice. The SP/SI GC will position the students to translate the latest research on SI and SP into practice. Once the program is completed, graduates will be able to apply the information in clinical practice, research, advocacy and education.

Admissions

Internal Applicants: Current USC Chan Graduate Students and USC Chan Alumni

Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in SP and SI who are currently enrolled in a Chan graduate program at USC and are in good standing with a 3.0 GPA, or Chan alumni who completed the applicable course work within the past seven years (see required courses for USC Chan alumni below), need only complete the online application form.

Because Sensory Integration has been taught in different formats and students have had various choices of elective courses, possible scenarios are outlined below in order to help you navigate the required courses needed to earn the graduate certificate.

External Applicants

Applicants for the Certificate in Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration who are currently registered / licensed occupational therapists and have not matriculated at USC must submit a formal application on the USC Graduate Admission website. Please 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 from an accredited college or university. Conditional admission may be possible for you 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.
• Be certified or eligible for certification in Occupational Therapy in the United States or complete an OT degree from a WFOT approved program outside the United States. If you are enrolled in an OT baccalaureate or Master’s program, you may receive admission contingent upon successful completion of all coursework and fieldwork prior to the start of the graduate certificate 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 prompt:

  Why do you want to pursue education in Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration?

  • Include relevant personal experience(s) (e.g., Can be related to previous work, volunteer, or life experiences) (optional)
  • Include future professional plans and how the SP/SI GC will help you to achieve your goals.
  • Include a description of your current strengths and areas of growth regarding clinical reasoning skills and ability to apply sensory integration theory and intervention principles to clinical practice.
  • 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.

  If your native language is English and/or you have a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. 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 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. You will find the Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate program under 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 (12 units)

OT 517 (3 units): Foundations of Occupation: Sensory Processing in Daily Life
OT 569 (2 units): Sensory Integration Theory
OT 570 (2 units): Evaluation and Clinical Reasoning: Sensory Integration
OT 610 (4 units): Sensory Integrative Dysfunction
OT 636* (1 unit): Fieldwork with Seminar or OT 590** (1 unit) Directed Research

* Must be completed at an approved Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration site; must be taken for 1 unit.
** Occupational therapists only; must be taken for 1 unit.

See requirements for USC Chan Alumni

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International Applicants

Internal and external 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 Graduate Certificate Program in Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration, please contact Dr. Janet Gunter.

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.