Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

The USC OTD program, a world-class program of study in occupational science and leadership, provides its graduates the insights and practical skills to drive change and benefit society. An interdisciplinary approach allows each student to explore his or her unique needs and interests.

USC OTD candidates study with our outstanding faculty and scholars who are on the vanguard of occupational therapy practice and occupational science research. Students also complete courses in other USC schools and departments that are appropriate to their academic focus.

Leadership Tracks

The OTD program provides the following four leadership tracks so each student can ably chart his or her future.

Advanced Clinical Practice

This track resembles the residency model typical in doctoral-level medical professional programs. For example, you might complete your clinical residency in a specialty area such as mental health, hand therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, sensory integration, or Lifestyle Redesign®, while composing a portfolio that includes evidence-based literature, assessments, and other content related to the specialty. Your coursework will complement your residency and further develop your clinical expertise within that specialty area.

Policy and Administrative Leadership

This track is designed to prepare residents as executive decision makers, public policy advocates, or administrators. For example, you might complete your residency shadowing a hospital administrator and collaborate in the development of hospital policies. Your coursework will focus on self-presentation, leadership skills, and policy and planning in the healthcare arena. This track will prepare you as an agent of positive change, social responsibility, and ethical care who can lead the profession forward.

Educational Leadership

This track equips residents with the teaching expertise and other skills necessary to become outstanding faculty members, particularly in settings such as liberal arts colleges or research-intensive universities with clinical faculty positions. For example, you might complete your residency in an academic role while gaining additional clinical expertise and developing course content or student programming. Your coursework will complement your residency and develop your knowledge and mastery of innovative pedagogical approaches.

Research Expertise

This track prepares residents to participate as a member of a research team to implement evidence-based studies in clinical settings and collect clinical outcomes data. You will complete your residency in an ongoing division research program while taking coursework emphasizing occupational science and research methodologies. Unlike the Ph.D. program in Occupational Science which is designed to prepare individuals as future NIH career scientists, this O.T.D. track prepares occupational therapists to better bridge research projects and clinical implementation.