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

Madison McCann MA ’20

What brought you to occupational therapy?
My younger brother is diagnosed with severe autism, bipolar disorder, and a severe intellectual disability, and from a young age, I knew I was interested in working with this population. OT has always impacted our family’s life in meaningful ways, which is why I was drawn to the profession. Growing up, I observed his OT sessions, and they always looked so fun and playful! Then, when my brother was 18, he broke his leg, and I was amazed by how his OT not only helped him regain independence but also helped our family regain a sense of normalcy and return to our typical routines and activities. Additionally, my aunt was an OT professor and researcher, and her kindness, intelligence, and empathy have always inspired me to follow in her footsteps and become an OT.

What area of practice are you interested in?
I am interested in working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. I am especially interested in eventually developing programs for adults with autism, as the needs of this rapidly growing group are often overlooked.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
Spending time with family, baking, hiking, and attending country concerts!

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
Chocolate chip cookies.

What song can you sing entirely by heart?
Where is the Love by the Black Eyed Peas.

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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.