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

Darrice Ralota OTD ’25

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I have always been fascinated with the science behind movement, injury, and recovery as well as the rehabilitative aspect of healthcare. I was curious to learn about both physical and occupational therapy, so I volunteered at an early intervention program in my second year of undergraduate studies. Over several months, I felt more drawn to OT because of its core focus on success in daily life and the vast creativity at work when designing unique, innovative interventions for clients. In witnessing and celebrating many of the clients’ big and small victories, I experienced the profession’s transformative and fulfilling nature. I wanted to help others in this way and be a part of this amazing profession!

What area of practice are you interested in?
I love working in pediatrics, and I am interested in the NICU setting. I also am interested in inpatient rehab, adult outpatient neurology, and even possibly going into research. I am looking forward to learning about all the practice areas!

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Some of my favorite occupations are listening to music, thrifting, hiking, eating tacos, and watching sunsets.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
There are so many places I would love to visit one day! I would love to visit France, South Korea, Greece, and Thailand.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I have ever gotten is, “accept the things you cannot change and change the things you cannot accept.”

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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.