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Maryam Rahbariasl MA ’18

What brought you to occupational therapy?
I didn’t know much about OT until I started my fieldwork for a CNA certificate program with the American Red Cross. I was placed in a skilled nursing facility where I met an OT. She gave me the opportunity to know more about the profession and eventually accepted me as a volunteer there.

What are some of the occupations you engage in?
I love cooking and eating while watching a movie; I have found this to be very therapeutic. Beside that, I enjoy making leather crafts and taking care of my puppy.

Tell us about your favorite memory from the program so far.
As an international student who is born and raised in a totally different culture, the summer semester was full of fun and joy for me, no matter how intense it was. In the very beginning, we were asked to do a Piñata activity. The purpose of this activity was to analyze upper extremity motions. I had never tried to break a piñata and, in fact, I didn’t have an idea about what it looked like until it was time for the activity! My friends asked me to be the first person in line to break the piñata with my closed eyes. Surprisingly, I hit the top of the piñata with my very first attempt!

If we opened your fridge, what would we see?
Lactose free milk, salad, French Load.

What is your spirit animal and why would this animal represent you?
My best guess for myself would be an owl, I like to stay up too late at nights and sleep during day.

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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.