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Cecilia Tran MA ’17

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I was shadowing at a pediatric occupational therapy clinic, and I was inspired by the way occupational therapy helped people overcome challenges and work towards goals that made their lives meaningful. I took it as a valuable lesson of how powerful it can be to treat others and the world with hope and potential in mind. As I went on to volunteer in various other practice areas, I was drawn to the diversity of populations that occupational therapy serves and how uniquely holistic and client-centered the profession is.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I have an interest in adult rehabilitation, but I’m also loving my experience so far in my mental health immersion.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
I studied Psychology and Sociology in undergrad, and I was heavily involved in a nonprofit organization dedicated to community health and education. I also participated in a peer education group that raised awareness about sexual violence and worked to eliminate violence through programming. I’m also still involved in a nonprofit community youth group and play music as an accompanist for a choir.

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
Ice cream.

What do you think is the greatest invention of mankind?
Ice cream.

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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.