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

Joi Willis MA ’19

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I first learned about the profession, in my undergraduate program. I received my BS in Child Development and many of my classmates and professors would mention OT during class discussions in regards to children who received Individual Education Plans (IEPs). I would nod my head in class as if I knew what they were talking about. So one day I decided to Google “Occupational Therapy” and I watched videos and literally fell in love.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I am definitely interested in working in Pediatrics, specifically sensory integration.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I love to dance, work out, and paint nails!

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
In my refrigerator, you would find lots of fruits and veggies! I try my best to eat healthy . . . but somewhere hidden in the back you’d find my guilty pleasure which is ice cream/popsicles.

If you could choose anyone (living or dead) to be your mentor, who would you pick?
I would definitely choose Maya Angelou. I’d love just sit and listen to her speak. She is so profound and knowledgeable and I think I could learn so much from her.

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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.