Getting Started
Post-Professional Doctorate (OTD)
of Occupational Therapy
Updated January 23, 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.
Program Guidelines
The Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program Guidelines will be an essential document throughout your time in the program.
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.
Orientation and schedule
Start of classes is January 8, 2024
View the USC Academic Calendar for university holidays.
Orientation presentation / video
Post-Professional OTD orientation presentation
Make sure to view this Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program orientation presentation, by OTD Program Director Dr. Sarah Bream.
Orientation video
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 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.
USC NetID and Email
You are required to activate your USC NetID and Email before registering for classes.
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.
HIPAA Compliance Education
You are required to complete the University HIPAA Compliance Education module and have documentation of HIPAA competence. This is accessible through TrojanLearn, the University-wide online learning and development platform. You will need your USC NetID and password to log on and then you will click on “Office of Compliance” under USC Training.
If you are completing your residency in the state of California and are not yet licensed by the California Board for Occupational Therapy (CBOT), you are required to submit proof of your limited permit (scanned PDF document) to Dr. Sarah Bream, Post-Professional OTD Program Director, and your Residency Site Preceptor by the end of the first week of the semester.
- Prior to board certification and state licensure, your initial hours of residency will be focused on the completion of necessary on-boarding requirements, orienting to the context, observational activities, preparing for and initiating an in-depth needs assessment, meeting and interviewing stakeholders, literature review, attending meetings, administrative tasks, and other non-clinical practice activities.
- Residents must be certified and licensed as an occupational therapist or be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination at time of matriculation. Domestic residents not certified upon matriculation must pass the NBCOT examination by the end of the first semester of the program to maintain enrollment. In the event that a board-eligible resident does not pass the NBCOT exam within the first semester of the program, the resident is no longer eligible to enroll in OT686 residency units.
- International residents are not required to attain NBCOT certification or eligibility; however, such certification facilitates the clinical residency requirement.
National Board Certification & State Licensure
Video presentation about certification / licensure by OTD Program Director Dr. Sarah Bream.
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
Please review the USC Web Registration Instructions for a step-by-step tutorial and FAQs related to registration. Tuition & fees are assessed at the time of registration with payment due as stated on the billing statement.
Full time OTD residents — please register for the following classes:
- OT 686 (6 units): Residency — Register for Section 48091
- OT 620 (4 units): Current Issues in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Full time OTD residents front-loading coursework — please register for the following classes:
- OT 620 (4 units): Current Issues in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
- OT 621 (4 units): Occupational Therapy Leadership: Contemporary Issues
- Electives (4 units): Please refer to coursework.
Full time residents may also choose to enroll in their elective coursework this semester. D clearance for electives will be lifted on May 25th with the exception of courses that have a lottery and waitlist: OT 562 and OT 574. You may register for an open elective course after that date. Please consult your faculty mentor regarding recommendations for elective coursework that will support your academic and professional goals. You may also take elective coursework outside of the Chan Division, provided the course is at the 500-level or higher. If the outside course requires D clearance to register, please contact the Graduate Advisor of the respective department to obtain the clearance.
When registering for OT courses, please do not alter the grading option. All OT courses are set as “Letter Grade” or “Credit/No Credit.” As a graduate student, any courses you select with a “Pass/No Pass” grading option will not be applied to your degree. For outside electives, the grading option should also be set as either “Letter Grade” or “Credit/No Credit.”
Please visit the Schedule of Classes for more information on tuition, fees, University policies and general registration information.
If you have a registration hold or any other difficulty in registering, please contact Peter Wittrock at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Any variations from the two options shown in Registration for courses (above) should be discussed with the Post-Professional OTD Program Director, Dr. Sarah Bream, prior to registration.
The OTD core courses (OT 620, OT 621) are offered via Zoom, allowing flexibility for residents to complete the program out of area. These classes typically meet synchronously one day per week for approximately 3 hours.
Residents admitted with Advanced Standing complete four (4) units of elective coursework. This elective may be taken during any semester of the program. Residents admitted without Advanced Standing complete eight (8) units of electives. Residents have the option of taking their elective units either inside or outside of the Chan Division, but they must be 500-level or higher. If you are a graduate of the USC Chan master’s in occupational therapy program and completed more than 12 units of electives during the MA program, these extra elective units may be applied towards your OTD degree. Please confirm with Peter Wittrock (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) whether you have previous elective units that may be applied to the OTD degree.
USC Chan Graduate Certificate Programs
For Residents also completing one of the USC Chan Graduate Certificate Programs, please refer to the required coursework and timeline to be integrated into your overall doctoral course plan:
Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® Graduate Certificate ⟩
The Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® is designed for occupational therapy students or occupational therapists who wish to obtain advanced training in Lifestyle Redesign®. Certificate courses fulfill the didactic requirements to be eligible for certification in Lifestyle Redesign®, and prepare occupational therapy students to be able to design and implement Lifestyle Redesign® interventions with diverse client populations.
Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate ⟩
The Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration Graduate Certificate (SP/SI GC) is intended for those students who would like to develop an expertise in identifying sensory processing disorders and using sensory integration treatments to address them. The certificate encompasses four courses with the last one delivered in conjunction with hands-on clinical practice. The SP/SI GC will position the students to translate the latest research on SI and SP into practice. Once the program is completed, graduates will be able to apply the information in clinical practice, research, advocacy and education.
| Graduate Certificate Program | Semester | Total Units required for the Graduate Certificate | Required Courses for the Graduate Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign® | Fall | 7 | OT 619 and OT 578 |
| Spring | 6 | Two out of OT 550, OT 551, and OT 552; then OT 638 | |
| Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration | Fall | 5 | OT 517 and OT 569 |
| Spring | 7 | OT 570, OT 590 and OT 610 |
For questions pertaining to the USC Chan Graduate Certificate programs, please contact:
- Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign®
Dr. Camille Dieterle (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) - Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration
Dr. Janet Gunter (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))
Your residency site needs to be confirmed prior to you enrolling in residency (OT 686) units. If you are starting the program in the Fall semester and following the typical course plan, then your residency site needs to be confirmed in August. If you are front-loading coursework during the Fall semester, then your residency needs to be confirmed prior to the start of the Spring semester (January).
A faculty mentor needs to be confirmed prior to the start of the program. Once your mentor is confirmed, please inform Post-Professional OTD Program Director, Dr. Sarah Bream (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
The mentor supports the OTD resident as they engage in their academic work and navigate challenges within the context of their residency; and fosters their leadership potential and longer term career trajectory. The mentor offers guidance on evidence-based literature reviews, selection of elective coursework, and the development of an overall academic and residency plan. The mentor ultimately approves the resident’s final OTD portfolio at the culmination of the program.
Please refer to the USC Chan Faculty Directory to find out more about our faculty. Once you identify a potential mentor, you may simply reach out via email to set up a meeting to discuss their availability and willingness to serve in this role.
Health and safety
Health clearance and insurance
Health onboarding session
Health Professions Students (June 22, 4PM PST). Recording and slides are now available.
Health clearance
The University requires all new USC students to provide a personal health history and to have a complete physical exam and tuberculosis clearance. Please see the USC New Student Health Requirements: Immunizations and Screenings. Additional requirements will be outlined by your residency site.
Student health insurance
Health insurance is required and provided by the University. You are automatically enrolled, even if you are taking less than 6 units. The University of Southern California requires that all students have comprehensive health insurance. If you are already covered under a comprehensive health insurance policy, you may elect to waive University Health Insurance. Please note that Health Science Campus students can obtain services at either campus health center location.
- 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.
Safety guidelines for in-person classes
Please see these updates for the Spring 2022 COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Policy.
Below are a few of the key points and links from the Chan Division Guidelines for Returning to Campus & Accessing the Center for Health Professions (CHP) Building During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please review the document in full.
- You are required to complete the Health, Hygiene, and Safety Trojan Learn Module prior to arriving on campus: coronavirus.usc.edu/health-hygiene-protocols.
- You are required to upload either proof of vaccination and booster vaccination or a personal declination through MySHR alongside other required immunizations.
- You will complete the Trojan Check: Wellness Assessment and Campus Reservation prior to coming to campus on the same day of the in-person class session/visit to campus: trojancheck.usc.edu.
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).
Students are encouraged to participate in the Restorative Occupations events offered each semester by the Chan Division. Students should discuss any requested schedule changes with their residency site and obtain prior approval in advance for these events.
Student organizations and groups
You are welcome to get involved in the many student organizations and groups of the Chan Division.
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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