Bridget Bradford OS Minor ’21

Major: Psychology

What brought you to USC?
I chose to attend USC because I value the opportunity to explore different academic disciplines. I also was attracted to the variety of extracurricular opportunities that USC offers, such as research, club sports, and student organizations.

Describe your favorite occupational science minor course.
My favorite occupational science minor course has been Understanding Autism: Participation Across the Lifespan with Professor Smith. Reading about Autism through the lens of self-advocates and occupational scientists taught me about strength-based approaches to therapy, how to think critically about the portrayal of Autism in the media, and the importance of first-person perspectives.

How do you plan to use what you have learned in the minor in the future?
The occupational science minor courses have taught me how to approach health holistically, the importance of seeking out first-person perspectives, and how small changes in our occupations can have huge impacts on our well-being. These are lessons that I will carry with me to live a more meaningful, engaged life.

If your childhood had a smell, what would it be?
If my childhood had a smell, it would be of cookies baking in the oven. Growing up, my sister and I loved to bake cookies and bring them to family members, neighbors, and friends. Our favorites have always been peanut butter cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies.

What are some small things that make your day better?
One small thing I do every day is spend time outside. The fresh air and sunshine make me feel energized and refreshed. I also try to call a family member or friend every day so that I can stay connected with the people that I care about.

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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.