Getting Started
Post-Professional Master’s (MA)
of Occupational Therapy
Updated July 2, 2024
We are excited to welcome you to the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy! Please carefully review the important information below.
Additionally, be sure to review the other general information provided in this section of the website, under Chan Division and USC Essentials, to prepare for your arrival at USC.
USC Chan Post-Professional MA Pre-orientation Information Session
Topic: Electives
June 27, 2024
With Dr. Emily Ochi, and Dr. Catherine Shin
Orientation and schedule
Pre-orientation information sessions
About the Curriculum and Student Life
with Dr. Emily Ochi & Mika Rodas
If you were unable to attend the May 20 pre-orientation information session, please review the overview of USC Chan Global Initiatives, by our Director of Global Initiatives, Dr. Danny Park.
USC Supports, What to Prepare
with Dr. Catherine Shin & Andrea Abad
Orientation and start of classes
Mandatory orientation
The Chan Division Orientation will take place on Monday, August 19th, 2024. Please plan to be on campus to attend this orientation approximately one week prior to the start of classes. More details will follow as the orientation schedule is finalized.
You are welcome to attend USC’s optional graduate student orientation before beginning classes. Details will be emailed directly to your USC email account.
Start of classes
Your first day of Fall classes is Monday, August 26, 2024. View the USC Academic Calendar for university holidays.
Essential administration tasks
Intent to Enroll
Intent to Enroll must be completed to access USC services. Please note that it can take some time for your admission to process through the USC system, so if you are unable to certify now, please be patient and try again in a few days or next week.
USC NetID and Email
You are required to activate your USC NetID and Email before registering for classes.
USC ID Card
You will need to submit the information, including a photo, for your USC ID Card online and you will be notified when it is available for pick up from the USCard Office. Make sure to specify whether you want to pick up your card at the One Stop Express on the USC Health Sciences Campus or on the USC University Park Campus.
Prevention Education Courses
You will be required to complete a Safety course, Sexual Assault Prevention course (Part I and II), and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion course online. All incoming graduate students must complete required online Prevention Education Modules (PEMs) before the start of classes on August 26, 2024. The online modules are available through Trojan Learn.
Students who do not complete the training by the deadline will be subject to registration holds affecting their ability to add classes for the Fall semester and register for the Spring semester, in addition to fines and other compliance measures.
Registering for a permit
In order to be considered for parking for the 2024–2025 academic year, please register online during the waitlist registration period. Please go to transnet.usc.edu/index.php/how-to-purchase-a-permit-2 for more information on the registration process and how to create a parking account.
Carpool permits
Carpool Permits will be available free of charge to University students wishing to carpool. Please follow the directions above (entering your name on the waitlist) to be considered. Should you be selected for a carpool permit, you will be required to submit additional documentation to confirm your carpool. An additional email will be sent with directions on how to complete this process.
Contact
For any pressing concerns, please contact Peter Miranda at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Due to the volume of inquiries, please allow 2-3 business days for a response.
Additional post-admission and orientation for international students
International students admitted to USC will request their I-20 directly through the Trojan International (TI) website. Immigration documents will also be submitted directly to TI.
Access to Trojan International will be given only to applicants who:
- Have been fully admitted to a USC program.
- Have submitted a Statement of Intent certifying they will attend USC. No commitment deposit is required.
- Have activated their USC NetID (can activate 1-3 days after certifying). The NetID is required to log into TI.
For more information on E-Forms and preparing your documents, please visit the USC Office of Admission 1-20 Processing website.
New students who have questions about I-20 and Visa matters, please contact Graduate Admissions directly, and select a category under “Immigration Matters (I-20, Visas, etc.)”.
Immigration Status Verification (ISV)
Upon arrival to the United States (U.S.), all new international F-1/J-1 students and J-1 scholars are required to complete Immigration Status Verification (ISV), formally referred to as Passport Verification (PPV), with the Office of International Services (OIS). ISV is a mandatory online check-in procedure for international students and scholars that verifies their entry to the U.S. as well as their immigration status to ensure the student/scholar is eligible to start an academic program/appointment at USC for their upcoming start date. Once all documentation is submitted, OIS will validate the SEVIS record. Failure to complete ISV in a timely manner will affect your eligibility to legally remain in the U.S.
All international degree students (F-1 and J-1) have an STU50 (for graduate students) hold on their USC account. This hold is lifted once students arrive in the U.S. and complete ISV with OIS.
Academics
All graduate students must verify that they have been awarded a bachelor’s-level degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent degree from an institution outside the United States. If you received a degree from an institution outside the United States and are required to complete degree verification, you will have an “Activity Restriction Warning,” identified as an ADM40 or RNR40, placed on their records. Failure to complete the verification process in the allotted time may result in delayed or cancelled registration, and late fees. Your previous degrees must be verified before your graduate degree can be awarded.
This requirement is separate from, and in addition to, the credential review conducted for admission. Therefore, you may be required to submit another set of credentials in addition to the materials submitted with your application for admission.
Verification of prior international degrees requires a “Certification of Studies for USC” from the International Education Research Foundation. This service is not offered on campus. This service is not offered on campus. Please visit the IERF website for more information about required documents and fees.
If you are a student that is required to complete your Degree Verification, please do so before the end of your first semester at USC. If you have additional questions regarding the Degree Verification process, please contact the Office of Academic Regards and Registrar One Stop Center or call (213) 740-8500 for assistance.
We will explain the registration process and assist you with registering for classes at the OT Orientation in August. You will be guaranteed a space in all of the classes that you will be taking. You can view the course sequence for the Post-Professional Master’s Degree Program in its entirety on our website.
Please do not attempt to register for classes until you arrive in August, at which time you will be receiving special instructions. If you are a domestic student and expect to receive federal loans that may require you to register earlier, please contact Student Services Advisor Ryan Pineda.
The course book lists will be available through the USC Schedule of Classes by clicking on the book icon next to each course you are enrolled in or through Oasis, the online academic student information system. You will have plenty of time to purchase your books during Orientation.
Here are the resources provided by Karin Saric at Orientation. Please email Karin with any additional questions at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
- Norris Library
- OT Guide
- PPT Slides from her Orientation presentation
Post-Professional MA to Post-Professional OTD Pathway
Our master’s degree program is set up to allow you to continue into our Post-Professional Doctorate (OTD) program through an expedited admission process. For students who wish to complete the program in the United States, this program is typically completed in three semesters (one year) after passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT) examination and obtaining state licensure. If you are interested in learning about the Pathway, please reach out to Dr. Catherine Shin.
Estimated Tuition and Fees
Estimated Tuition and Graduate Fees
The University of Southern California is a private institution where tuition is the same for all students. Residents of California, residents of other states, and international students all have the same tuition rate. Estimated 2023-2024 tuition and fees are presented below. Tuition and fees are subject to change and are expected to be the same or slightly higher for 2024-2025.
| Semester | # of Units | Estimated Tuition | USC Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 16–18 | $33,320 | $706 |
| Spring | 16–18 | $33,320 | $651 |
USC Graduate Fees include: one-time $55 orientation fee, Student health service fee ($600/semester, summer $300), Student programming fee ($40/semester), Norman H. Topping Student Aid Fund ($11/semester).
Additional expenses may include: USC Financial Aid Office estimates annual graduate and doctoral student costs of $11,368 for housing, $7,290 for dining/meals, $1,200 for books and supplies, $2,620 for personal and miscellaneous and $2,764 for transportation.
Cost of Certification and Licensure
If you are planning to work in the United States, please note that the costs and requirements for licensure to practice as an occupational therapist vary across states. Check with your state’s occupational therapy board for additional information. Also, consider that NBCOT study material expenses will vary by person. One of our student ambassadors outlined their personal costs and experience with licensure in California. Please review additional information from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) regarding licensure.
Health and safety
Health clearance and insurance
Health clearance
The University requires all students to provide a personal health history and to have a complete physical exam and tuberculosis clearance. More information is provided by USC Student Health at sites.usc.edu/new-student-health-requirements. Please bring any previous immunization records you may have with you, as this may expedite the process for you once you arrive.
Email Bobby Cong at the Student Health Center at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any questions.
Student health insurance
Health insurance is required and provided by the University. If you are enrolled in a plan which you intend to continue, you will need proof of coverage on arrival in order to waive University health insurance.
- USC health professions students are required to complete the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination and booster and upload into MySHR.
- All USC health professions students must receive a COVID bivalent vaccine. This may affect incoming students who were previously cleared with the initial primary series that have not yet received a bivalent booster. Please check compliance by logging into MySHR and navigating to the Medical Clearances section. Non-Compliant items will be listed in red. Incoming students can submit documentation of their bivalent dose through MySHR or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
- The University requires booster doses for all health professions students, faculty and staff. If you are currently eligible, you should arrange to receive a booster.
- Antigen kits will continue to be available to students and employees at no cost at USC bookstores, Engemann Student Health Center, and Eric Cohen Student Health Center.
- Please review the Special Clearances: Health Professions Students website carefully.
- If you completed the booster outside of USC, please upload the documentation into your MySHR record.
A religious or medical exemption form must be completed by a faculty member, staff, or student, and submitted to MySHR. Please allow 14 days for your religious or medical exemption form to be reviewed and approved.
- Religious Exemption for Required COVID-19 Vaccination
- Medical Exemption Request for Required COVID-19 Vaccination
- For COVID-19-related information, updates, and support for the USC community, please visit coronavirus.usc.edu.
Make sure you review this presentation of Emergency Procedures and Recommendations at the Center for Health Professions (CHP), which includes essential information. The presentation also includes a link to a video describing the CHP Evacuation Plan.
Other resources
USC welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University’s educational programs. The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is responsible for the determination of appropriate accommodations for students who encounter disability-related barriers. Once a student has completed the OSAS process (registration, initial appointment, and submitted documentation) and accommodations are determined to be reasonable and appropriate, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be available to generate for each course. The LOA must be given to each course instructor by the student and followed up with a discussion. This should be done as early in the semester as possible as accommodations are not retroactive. More information can be found at osas.usc.edu. You may contact OSAS at (213) 740-0776 or via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The University is pleased to let you know that the “Thrive Guide” for USC students is now available online. This guide is produced at the beginning of each academic year.
The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is conducting an admissions service survey. We would like you to rate your admissions experience with Chan so that we can improve our process and service in the future. This survey only relates to this department, not the University Office of Graduate Admissions or the Financial Aid office. The survey is anonymous, so please answer the questions freely.
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