The undergraduate curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Occupational Therapy. Only incoming freshmen may apply to the bachelor’s to doctorate program in occupational therapy; students may not change their major to occupational therapy once admitted to USC. Students majoring in occupational therapy begin full-time graduate study during their senior year, substantially reducing their overall cost of education and preparing them sooner for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy® (NBCOT) examination. Successful completion of an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree, including successful completion of a minimum of 24 full-time weeks of clinical fieldwork, qualifies students for eligibility to sit for the NBCOT examination. Certification from the board and state licensure are required to practice as an occupational therapist.