Galen Freedman MA ’21

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I’ve always seen myself in a health care profession with the goal of assisting others. I was first introduced to the importance of assistive aids as a child when my family became puppy raisers for The Seeing Eye, an organization that trains guide dogs for the blind. Through raising 10 pups for the program, my family and I saw the value of independence that a guide dog can bring to someone’s life. As a future OT, I am interested in finding ways to offer aids and interventions that will foster independence in my clients.

What area of practice are you interested in?
At this point, I am most interested in working in a neuro rehab setting where I can provide therapy to clients after stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, etc. I’d like to support and help people whose lives have been turned upside down after their injury/disability and need to find adaptive ways to get back to their meaningful activities.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Some of my most meaningful activities are those that get me outside. I really enjoy skiing, hiking, climbing, and camping both throughout California and Colorado.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
Wet dogs, Big Red gum, the smell of the soccer fields we spent every weekend at.

What are some small things that make your day better?
Pictures of dogs, a home-cooked meal, and getting to go to bed early.

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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.