Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (GRAD)

The Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Department of Health Sciences offers two graduate programs: a master of science (M.S.) degree with a major in occupational therapy and a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in occupational science. The M.S. in occupational therapy program is a two-year program designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than occupational therapy. It is an entry-level program for individuals who wish to become occupational therapists. The Ph.D. program in occupational science accepts applicants with an earned master's degree in occupational therapy or a related field (see admission requirements below). The doctoral program prepares individuals who wish to pursue academic careers that could include teaching, research, and other scholarly activities related to occupational science and occupational therapy.

Requirements for Admission into the M.S. Program in Occupational Therapy

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
2. Academic record that demonstrates potential to do work at the graduate level
3. Completion of the occupational therapy supplemental application

The M.S. program has eight prerequisite courses, four of which are fixed (core body of knowledge) and four of which fall into categories that are "flexible," meaning that a variety of courses can fulfill the requirement in that category. All prerequisites except the occupation course must be taken for credit in an accredited academic institution of higher learning and must be no more than five years old at the time of application. The occupation prerequisite must be no more than three years old.

Fixed Prerequisites

1. Human anatomy with a laboratory¹
2. Human physiology¹
3. Abnormal psychology
4. Introductory statistics

¹

A two-semester sequence of combined anatomy and physiology; parts I and II may be substituted for separate courses.

Flexible Prerequisites

1. Human/individual behavior (for example: developmental psychology; child development; adulthood and aging; cognitive psychology; neuro-psychology)
2. Modes of reasoning (for example: philosophy; ethics; statistics or data analysis [beyond the introductory course]; comparative religion, art, or music; literature taught in a foreign language; research design or methods)
3. Study of social relationships, institutions, and systems (for example: linguistics; cultural/social anthropology; sociology [beyond intro level]; public health; public policy; leisure studies; political science; minority studies)
4. Occupation: Complete a course in either an academic or community-based setting that requires the skills of your body as well as your mind. The occupation prerequisite must have the following characteristics:
   • new learning/challenge (not something you already do or know how to do)
   • formal (structured) learning context, but does not have to be a "for credit" course
   • at least once a week for a minimum of six weeks
   • social context (other learners present in person; online courses are not accepted)
   • results in an end product or performance
   • learners must be active (not just recipients of information)
   • course content is not designed to be used to benefit, teach, or communicate with others

Examples include creative writing, poetry writing, studio art class, woodworking, jewelry making, theater, dance, music, and some sports.

The master of science program requires a minimum of 63 semester credit hours. The program is 24 months in length and includes substantial field work experience.

Occupational therapy courses are available only to graduate students enrolled in the M.S. program at the University.

Requirements for Admission into the Ph.D. Program in Occupational Science

The Ph.D. program in occupational science accepts academically qualified applicants who have completed master degrees in occupational therapy, relevant social and behavioral sciences, or related health fields. Applicants receive a thorough review for evidence of potential success in a doctoral program in The Graduate School at UNC–Chapel Hill. In order to achieve closely mentored research experiences, only applicants with expressed interests consistent with existing programs of research and scholarly work of the faculty are admitted. Final selection among qualified applicants will be based on an interview with core faculty members in the Ph.D. program in occupational science. Review the UNC–Chapel Hill website for information about applying to The Graduate School. In addition to the formal application to The Graduate School, the following information is required:

1. Copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
2. Results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, if applicable)
3. Academic statement describing applicant's interest in and/or understanding of occupational science
4. Personal statement describing applicant's background, identities, and life experiences
5. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who support the applicant's potential as an educator and scholar

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 45 semester credit hours beyond the master's degree. This course of study covers four domains:

1. Occupational science
2. An interdisciplinary cognate area that complements occupational science
3. Research design and methodology
4. Competencies for an academic career

All graduates must complete a doctoral dissertation in occupational science. Students are also expected to reach satisfactory competence in teaching and research as determined by their career goals.

With approval from the instructor, occupational science courses are open to graduate students interested in

1. The study of people engaged in everyday activities in different situations and
2. How various experiences in an activity or patterns of engagement influence development, health, and quality of life across the lifespan

Courses

Numbered 700-999:

• Occupational Therapy (OCCT)

Occupational Therapy, Master's Program (M.S.)

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is an entry-level program designed for people with an undergraduate degree in a field other than occupational therapy. It is organized and sequenced for 2 years of full-time, in-person study and requires 60 credit hours of coursework, including research experiences, and 12 credit hours of Level II (full-time) Fieldwork. A Master’s Comprehensive Self-Assessment Portfolio (MCSA) serves as a substitute for comprehensive exams and thesis. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the national certification exam, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy ® (NBCOT®), and obtain a license to practice in their state.

Course Requirements

Milestones

• Master's Committee
• Master's Written Exam/Approved Exam Substitute
• Thesis Substitute
• Approved Master's Thesis
• Master's Exit Survey

Occupational Science, Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) 

The PhD Program of the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers opportunities for graduate students to receive training across a range of the discipline’s interests, to include in that training work in cognate disciplines, and to work directly with faculty members on specific research projects. As much as possible, programs are tailored to the needs and interests of the individual student. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume leadership roles as scholars, researchers, and educators in academic institutions and as clinical researchers in a wide assortment of healthcare and community settings. Furthermore, graduates will become experts in applying research to real-world situations and in contributing to interdisciplinary interventions by addressing the health implications of everyday activities for people, communities and populations.  

 Course Requirements

¹

Students may take other statistics courses with DGS approval.

Milestones

The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information.

• Doctoral Committee
• Doctoral Oral Comprehensive Exam
• Doctoral Written Exam
• Prospectus Oral Exam (written and oral)
• Dissertation Defense
• Doctoral Dissertation Approved/Format Accepted
• Residence Credit
• Doctoral Exit Survey

Professors

Nancy Bagatell, Adolescents and Adults with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Community Participation, Identity Construction

Associate Professors

Vanessa Jewell, Type I Diabetes, Family-Focused Intervention, Rural Services, Occupation-Centered Practice
Ryan Lavalley, Community Practice, Older Adults
Bridgette LeCompte, School-Based Practice
Katie Sorensen, ADA, Disability Rights and Advocacy, Fieldwork
Linn Wakeford, Occupation-Centered Services for Infants and Preschoolers with Developmental Delay, Diversity and Inclusion

Assistant Professors

Khalilah Johnson, Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Micheal Sandbank, Early Intervention, Autism, Meta-Analysis
Lauren Selingo, Substance Use, Women, Older Adults
Hilary Till, Acute Care

Professors Emeritae

Ruth Humphry
Cathy Nielson

Associate Professors Emeritae

Virginia Dickie
Jane Rourk