Nmachi Obiwuru MA ’24

What brought you to USC?
USC is the ideal place to pursue my dream of becoming an Occupational Therapist. Everyday, I look forward to taking classes that will expose me to the key principles I need to be successful in my future career. Beyond the appealing coursework within my major, USC has a unique general education program. USC GE’s provide me with the opportunity to pursue interests outside of my major, and perhaps discover interests I do not yet know I have. I learn best from immersive experiences; an education at USC allows me to further my academic interests both inside and outside of the classroom. With the rigorous, globally-minded, and high-quality education that USC provides, I am confident that a degree from this university will nurture my passion for lifelong learning and equip me to become an expert in my future field.

Describe your favorite occupational therapy course.
My favorite occupational therapy course so far has been OT 260: Human Functional Anatomy for Allied Health Professions. In this class, I learn about musculoskeletal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems in the human body and how they interact with each other. Lecture is accompanied with a cadaver-based lab, which is an amazing way to integrate information learned during class and apply it to a real-life body.

Tell us about your favorite memory at USC/in the program so far.
My favorite memory in the OT program so far has been seeing all of my fellow OT freshmen classmates dressed in scrubs for our first lab together. This event may seem insignificant to some, but it helped me come to the realization that all of the information I was learning through the OT program will one day pay off when I get to help people better their lives everyday.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
If I could travel anywhere, I would definitely visit Santorini, Greece. I am mesmerized by the architecture and coastal beauty that Santorini offers.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is “all good things come to those who wait.” This statement is applicable to all aspects of my life and continues to motivate me to work hard, but most importantly, be patient with myself and others.

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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.