M.A. in Occupational Therapy (Two-Year): Course Sequence*

The following provides an overview of the two years of study for the Entry-Level Professional Master’s Program in Occupational Therapy.
*Courses are subject to change

Course Sequence

Click image above to view enlarged Course Sequence

Download the USC Entry-Level Professional Program Course Sequence (PDF)

Course Overview

First-Year Course Overview

Read Course Descriptions here.

Summer Session 1

Summer session begins in mid-June and continues for eight weeks.

OT 440 Foundations: Kinesiology (2 units)
OT 441 Foundations: Neurology (2 units)
OT 405 Foundations: Occupation (4 units)

Fall Semester 1

Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for sixteen weeks.

Practice Immersion Courses
Three simultaneous cohorts cycle through coursework and Level I fieldwork, related to one of three areas across three semesters (8 units):

OT 401 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
OT 402 Mental Health
OT 403 Pediatrics

OT 410 Therapeutic Use of Self (2 units)
OT 451 Neuroscience of Behavior (4 units)
OT 470 Qualitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4 units)

Spring Semester 1

Spring semester courses begin in January and continue for sixteen weeks.

Practice Immersion Courses
Three simultaneous cohorts cycle through coursework and Level I fieldwork, related to one of three areas across three semesters (8 units):

OT 401 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
OT 402 Mental Health
OT 403 Pediatrics

OT 411 Clinical Reasoning (2 units)
OT 430 Communication Skills for Effective Practice (4 units)
OT 480 Quantitative Research for Evidence-Based Practice (4 units)

Summer Session 2

Summer session begins in mid-May and continues for twelve weeks.

OT486 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)

Second-Year Course Overview

The second year consists of 6 core courses, for a total of 20 units. The Thesis option requires an additional 4 units of electives and 2 semesters of thesis units which makes up 28 units total. The comprehensive exam option requires an additional 12 units of electives, at least 8 of which must be from within the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, which results in a 32 unit program. NOTE: the actual sequence of the core courses may vary from year to year, but all 6 courses will be offered during fall and spring semesters.

(Comprehensive Exam Option)

Fall Semester 2

Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for sixteen weeks.

Practice Immersion Courses
Three simultaneous cohorts cycle through coursework and Level I fieldwork, related to one of three areas across three semesters (8 units):

OT 401 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
OT 402 Mental Health
OT 403 Pediatrics

OT 504 Health Promotion and Wellness (2 units)
OT 508 Current Issues: Adulthood & Aging (2 units)
OT 570 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community (4 units)

Spring Semester 2

Spring semester courses begin in January and continue for sixteen weeks.

OT 580 Leadership Capstone (2 units)
OT 585 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science (2 units)
Elective courses (12 units)
(Comprehensive exam taken at end of semester.)

Summer Session 3

Summer session beings in mid-May and continues for 12 weeks.

OT 486 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)

(Thesis Option)

Fall Semester 2

Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for sixteen weeks.

Practice Immersion Courses
Three simultaneous cohorts cycle through coursework and Level I fieldwork, related to one of three areas across three semesters (8 units):

OT 401 Adult Physical Rehabilitation
OT 402 Mental Health
OT 403 Pediatrics

OT 504 Health Promotion and Wellness (2 units)
OT 508 Current Issues: Adulthood & Aging (2 units)
OT 570 Occupation-Centered Programs for the Community (4 units)

Spring Semester 2

Spring semester courses begin in January and continue for sixteen weeks.

OT 580 Leadership Capstone (2 units)
OT 585 Advanced Seminar in Occupational Science (2 units)
Elective courses (12 units)
OT 594a Thesis (2 units)

Summer Session 3

Summer session beings in mid-May and continues for twelve weeks.

OT 486 Clinical Internship with Seminar (2 units)

Fall Semester 3 (and Spring Semester 3 as necessary)

Fall semester generally begins in late August and continues for sixteen weeks

OT 594a Thesis (2 units)
OT 594z Thesis (If necessary, each semester until thesis is completed)