Bachelor’s to Master’s in Occupational Therapy

You are a unique individual with your own personal and professional goals. Sarah Kelly, Director of Admissions, can answer your questions, schedule your visit, or arrange contacts with faculty members or students to help you further explore your interest in the Occupational Therapy program. You can reach her at (866) 385-4250 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). If you would like to know more, please use our Request Program Information Form, and we will be happy to send you a beautiful brochure about any of our programs.

Admission Criteria and Prerequisites

There are two different pathways to admission into the Bachelor’s to Master’s Accelerated Degree Program at the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy: the Progressive Degree Program and the Traditional Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree.

Progressive Degree Program (PDP) Admission Criteria

The Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy’s new Progressive Degree Program (PDP) is available to outstanding USC undergraduates who meet the following requirements:

A minimum USC cumulative GPA of 3.4 at time of application (GRE scores are not required).
A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the seven occupational therapy prerequisite courses, which must have been completed within the previous five years.
Verification that USC’s general education requirements will be completed by the start of the senior year.
Verification that at least 64, but not more than 96, units of undergraduate coursework have been completed. (AP units, IB units and coursework taken prior to high school graduation are excluded.)
Two letters of recommendation from USC faculty.
Evidence of having explored the field of occupational therapy. (Discuss your particular exploration experience in the autobiographical essay portion of the Division’s application form).

Traditional Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program Admission Criteria

The Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy’s Traditional Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program is available to promising USC undergraduates who meet the following requirements*:

A minimum USC cumulative GPA of 3.0 in completed undergraduate courses.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the seven occupational therapy prerequisite courses, which must have been completed within the previous five years.
Verification that USC’s general education requirements will be completed by the start of the senior year.
Three letters of recommendation from professors, therapists or other professionals who are familiar with your capabilities and achievement. At least one letter should be from a professor.
Evidence of having explored the field of occupational therapy. (Discuss your particular exploration experience in the autobiographical essay portion of the Division’s application form).

* Although Traditional Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program applicants are not required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores when applying to the bachelor’s program, they are required to complete the GRE general test with a minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections before advancing into the master’s program. They also will need to apply for admission to that program.

Prerequisite Courses

For a major in occupational therapy, you must complete seven specific courses in the biological and social sciences, earning a grade point average of B (3.0) or better. Pass/Fail or grades below a C are not accepted.

Students on the one-year track must complete all prerequisites prior to the start of the senior year with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. This coursework must have been completed within the last five years.

On the two-year track, you will complete a minimum of three of the seven prerequisite courses prior to the start of the junior year, including human anatomy, general psychology and human development. You must complete all seven of the occupational therapy prerequisite courses prior to the start of the senior year.

For both programs, the following three- or four-unit courses are required:

Human Anatomy with laboratory** (EXSC 301L or OT 260)
Human Physiology (OT 261)
Introductory (General) Psychology (PSYC 100)
Developmental Psychology or Human Development (must cover lifespan) (PSYC 336L)
Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 360)
Introductory Sociology or Introduction to Social Anthropology (SOC 200 or ANTH 201)
Medical Terminology (may be a 1-2 unit course)

A course in adult development and aging is also recommended: GERO 310, 320 or PSYC 337.

USC course numbers are provided; courses may also be taken at other accredited colleges or universities. All courses except Human Anatomy may be taken online from an accredited institution.

**Course must include a laboratory and study of the human body. If anatomy and physiology are combined, students must take two sequential semesters with a laboratory each semester.

Possible Background Checks

The University of Southern California Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy does not require background checks, drug testing or fingerprinting for admission into the Master of Arts program. However, an increasing number of health care facilities require USC students to provide this and other additional information in order to participate in clinical rotations at their sites. The successful completion of clinical rotations is a prerequisite for being able to sit for the NBCOT (National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists) exam and practice as an Occupational Therapist. For additional information contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Tuition and Fees

The University of Southern California is a private institution where tuition is the same for all students. Residents of California, of other states and international students all have the same tuition rate.

Tuition for 2009-2010 is $1,299 per unit. Estimated 2009-2010 tuition and fees for undergraduate occupational therapy students are presented below. Tuition and fees are subject to change and are expected to be the same or slightly higher for 2010-2011.

Estimated Tuition and Fees 2009-2010

Semester	# of Units	Tuition	Fees*
Summer (BS1 Program)	8	$10,392	$442
Summer (BS2 Program)	2	$2,598	$192
Fall	16-18	$19,285 (flat fee)	$306
Spring	16-18	$19,285 (flat fee)	$306

There is a flat fee of $19,285 for 12-18 undergraduate units.

*Optional student health insurance fees are not included in the above estimate. (Verification of other health insurance is required if student health insurance is not purchased at registration). USC Financial Aid Office estimates annual costs of $11,458 for room and board, $1,500 for books and supplies and $580 for transportation.

Financial Aid

USC undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the Tony Pompelio Memorial Scholarship. Contact the Division for application information.

USC Undergraduate Financial Aid information