Students majoring in occupational therapy begin professional study during their junior year. Students can earn a USC master's degree in occupational therapy with just one additional year instead of the traditional two years, substantially reducing their overall cost of education and preparing them sooner for the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy? (NBCOT) examination. Successful completion of the Master of Arts degree and successful completion of a minimum of 24 full-time weeks of clinical fieldwork are required for eligibility to sit for the NBCOT examination. Certification from the board and licensure (most states) are required to practice as an occupational therapist. (See here for a description of the MA degree program.)