Getting Started
Post-Professional Doctorate (OTD)
of Occupational Therapy
Updated July 24, 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 (2024–2025) 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
Virtual Orientation
Date: Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Time: 3:00–4:30pm (Pacific Time)
Location: Zoom
Join us for an opportunity to meet key faculty who will be teaching in the program; introduce yourself and get to know your colleagues who will be starting the program with you this fall; receive overview of expectations for the program; and address any remaining questions you might have.
First Day of Classes
Monday, August 26, 2024
Meet & Greet
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Time: 4:30–6:30pm
Location: Benny Boy Brewing (1821 Daly St, Los Angeles, 90031)
For those of you who may be in or near the Greater Los Angeles area this particular week, please join us for the opportunity to network with current PP-OTD Residents who have been enrolled in the program since January 2024 or prior and are now completing their final requirements as they approach their graduation. Some of our USC Chan faculty and staff will also be joining us for this Meet & Greet event.
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 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.
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
Note: Before you are able to register for courses, your NBCOT and CBOT (or other state licensure) must be submitted to the admissions department by Friday, August 16, 2024.
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.
If enrolling full-time in Fall 2024, you will register for the following coursework:
- OT 719 (2 units): Occupational Science Origins and Evolutions
- OT 718 (2 units): Applied Leadership for Health Professionals
- OT 716 (2 units): Mobilizing Knowledge for Impact: Concept and Skills
- OT 686 (6 units): Residency
- Pedagogy Residents will register for the McLaughlin Gray section.
- All others will enroll in Bream section ending in the number 1.
Any variations from this full-time option should be discussed with the Post-Professional OTD Program Director, Dr. Sarah Bream, prior to registration.
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).
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))
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).
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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