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Emma Wallace MA ’19

What brought you to occupational therapy?
Weirdly enough, a sorority sister in undergrad told me about the occupational therapy program at USC. We were chatting over coffee, and I had told her I didn’t have post-graduate plans, but was interested in mental health and child development. The minute I heard about occupational therapy, it sounded like the perfect fit considering my interests.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I’ve always been passionate about pediatrics! This semester I’ve been excited to take electives in Sensory Integration from professors who directly worked and studied under Jane Ayres. I’m also interested in promoting health and wellness in the pediatric population because of how early healthy routines and habits develop.

Describe your background before coming to occupational therapy.
While I finished my prerequisites for USC’s program, I worked as a behavioral therapist with kids diagnosed with Autism. I still use the principles I learned from ABA when I work with kids in occupational therapy. Because of my background, I already felt more natural developing rapport with kids and their families.

What song can you sing entirely by heart?
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and Since You’ve Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson.

If you could visit any time in history, where would you go and why?
If I could, I would visit the Tudor period of England during Henry VIII’s reign. I love the drama and intrigue of all his wives and the break from the Catholic church. I also love the outlandish dresses and makeup.

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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.