The interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science offers graduate training in research dedicated to assisting people of all ages and abilities to perform and participate in everyday occupations as a source of lifelong meaning, development, health, and well-being. The program was created to meet the national demand for Ph.D.-trained scientists and educators in occupational therapy and related disciplines. Graduates typically pursue post-doctoral education or academic careers in higher education; additional career opportunities exist in industry and government.
This Ph.D. program requires 72 credits, some of which may be included from prior coursework. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and includes many students who are already occupational, physical, or music therapists. Individuals with similar backgrounds may also be interested in this Ph.D. program, which is a research degree intended to develop new researchers and academics in health and rehabilitation.
Please contact the Occupational Therapy Department for further details by calling (970) 491-6253 or emailing the department at otinfo@colostate.edu.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin and the Department of Occupational Therapy.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Integrate relevant knowledge from occupational science and rehabilitation science and apply that knowledge to problems that people face in performing and participating in everyday occupations and contexts across the lifespan.
- Design and implement research that draws upon a synthesis of occupational and rehabilitation science to advance understanding of human performance and participation.
- Disseminate knowledge of human performance and participation through scientific meetings and peer-reviewed journals.
- Write and submit competitive grant proposals.
- Design and implement learning experiences grounded in sound teaching and learning theories that are supported with evidence.
- Effectively participate in interdisciplinary research teams.
- Mentor students and research assistants.
Effective Fall 2025
Ph.D. course requirements include a minimum of 72 credits:
Entry A: For students enrolled in the OTD at CSU and wishing to continue to the Ph.D. in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science at CSU, up to 18 credits of the CSU OTD degree may apply toward partial fulfillment of the required 72 credits. OT 735, OT 745, OT 755 will be included in the Research Methods Core.
Entry B: For students who submit a previously earned clinical graduate degree in occupational therapy or related field, up to 18 credits may be accepted toward partial fulfillment of the required 72 credits. All potential credits accepted toward partial fulfillment of the requirements below must be approved by the student’s graduate committee, the Department of Occupational Therapy, and the Graduate School.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation and Rehabilitation Science Core: | ||
| OT 692 | Occupation and Rehabilitation Sci Seminar I 1 | 4 |
| OT 701 | Occupation and Rehabilitation Science III | 3 |
| OT 710 | Teaching Occupation and Rehab Science | 3 |
| OT 784 | Supervised College Teaching | 2 |
| OT 786A | Practicum: Research | 4 |
| OT 792 | Occupation and Rehabilitation Sci Seminar II 2 | 4 |
| OT 796 | Group Study | 4 |
| Research Methods Core: | ||
| HDFS 592 | Grant Writing--Research/Program Development | 1-3 |
| or NB 771 | Writing, Submitting, and Reviewing Grants | |
| OT 735 | Occupational Therapy Research Process I | 3 |
| OT 745 | Occupational Therapy Research Process II | 3 |
| OT 755 | Occupational Therapy Research Process III | 3 |
| Advanced Statistics (select a minimum of 6 credits from the following): 3 | 6 | |
| Introduction to Research Methods | ||
| Principles: Quantitative Data Analysis | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Foundations of Educational Research | ||
| Qualitative Research | ||
| Qualitative Data Analysis | ||
| Quantitative Data Collection Methods/Analysis | ||
| Research Methods I | ||
| Research Methods II | ||
| Program Planning and Implementation | ||
| Multivariate Research Methods I | ||
| Multivariate Research Methods II | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Public Health I | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Public Health II | ||
| Methods of Research in Psychology I | ||
| Methods of Research in Psychology II | ||
| Item Response Theory | ||
| Multivariate Analysis in Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Data Analysis and Regression | ||
| Applied Multivariate Analysis | ||
| Theory of Sampling Techniques | ||
| Advanced Statistical Data Analysis | ||
| Advanced Statistical Methods | ||
| Directed Electives: 4 | 12-17 | |
| Prevention Science Across the Lifespan | ||
| Prevention Program Evaluation | ||
| Risk and Resilience | ||
| Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription | ||
| Advanced Physiology of Exercise | ||
| Physical Activity Intervention Development | ||
| Advanced Neural Control of Movement | ||
| The Science of Healthspan | ||
| Advanced Topics in Bioenergetics: Movement | ||
| Advanced Topics in Bioenergetics: Physiology | ||
| Exercise in Disease Prevention | ||
| Applied Social & Community Factors in Health | ||
| Decolonizing Global Health | ||
| Developing a Practice of Leadership in Health | ||
| Physical Activity and Public Health | ||
| Team Science | ||
| Health Promotion Programming | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Neuropsychology | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Animal Learning | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Human Learning and Memory | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Social | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Lifespan Development | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Personality | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Health Psychology | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Measurement | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Human Performance, Motor and Intellectual Capacities | ||
| Advanced Psychology: Cognitive Processes | ||
| Dissertation: | ||
| OT 799 | Dissertation | 15 |
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Students will register for two credits of OT 692 for two semesters during the first half of the PhD program.
- 2
Students will register for two credits of OT 792 for two semesters during the second half of the PhD program.
- 3
With approval of graduate committee, select six credits of advanced statistics.
- 4
Students must consult with their primary advisor in selecting elective courses.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |