Home ⟩The People of USC Chan ⟩Meet Our Trojan Family ⟩Entry-Level Doctorate (OTD)

Angelica Tuason MA ’20

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I was exposed to occupational therapy fairly young because my brothers have hydrocephalus. They received services in the past, but it wasn’t until more recently that I really felt the impact OT has on someone’s life. Both my brothers were beginning to lose motor functioning and needed to have spinal surgery. My family was worried about what daily living might look like after surgery. The OT was a strong support system not only for facilitating the rehabilitation of those skills, but helping my family through a very tough time in our lives. It is my hope that I am able to use OT to make a positive impact on people’s lives the way that it has on my own.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I’m primarily interested in the area of pediatrics. Growing up with my brothers has been a life-long learning experience; they’ve taught me so much and have inspired a passion for working with people who share similar stories.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
Prior to occupational therapy, I worked as a behavioral interventionist for more than two years. It was a rewarding experience to see the progress that my kids were having and the impact it had on their lives and their families.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
Probably the smell of grass — I spent most of my time playing outside when I was growing up!

What are some small things that make your day better?
Two things that would immediately brighten my day are: food and dogs (in no particular order, I love both equally).

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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 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.