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School of Ed > Kinesiology > Skip Navigation LinksOccupational Therapy > Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Therapeutic Science Track

OT Programs

Ph.D. in Kinesiology, Therapeutic Science Track

PROGRAM|ADMISSION CRITERIA|APPLYING|CURRICULA|TUITION|SCHOLARSHIPS/FINANCIAL AID

Program Description

The Ph.D. track in Therapeutic Science is offered to occupational therapists with a master's degree. The program prepares individuals to serve as researchers and educators who are able to contribute to the understanding of the theoretical and empirical relationships between occupation, health, and well-being. Completion of 54 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree is required and includes seminars in human occupation and health, courses that emphasize research theory and design, electives focusing on a particular area of study, and completion of a dissertation.

Faculty

Ruth Benedict, DrPH, OTR

Dorothy Edwards, PhD

Elizabeth Larson, PhD, OTR

Mary Schneider, PhD, OTR

Julia Wilbarger, PhD, OTR

Admission Criteria

Non-discriminatory Policy: The UW-Madison OT Program admission practice does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity or expression, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or age.

Prerequisites for admission: All prospective students must meet the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School and the Department of Kinesiology graduate admission requirements. In addition, graduation from an accredited program of basic professional education in occupational therapy and completion of a Master's degree is required. If the Master's degree was awarded without a thesis, then evidence of scholarly writing in the form of a professionally peer reviewed publication is required.

Specific application requirements for the doctoral degree in Kinesiology, Therapeutic Science Track:

  • Graduation from an accredited program of basic professional education in occupational therapy and completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

  • A minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours of coursework.

  • Submission of official Graduate Record Examination (GRE: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical) scores and Toefl scores for foreign students by time of application.

  • Three letters of recommendation.

  • Official academic transcripts.

  • Statement of purpose for graduate study.

  • Completion of prerequisite courses.

  • Agreement by an individual faculty member to serve as the student's major advisor.

Applying for Admission

  • Complete the Graduate School on-line application.

  • Be sure you have carefully read the admission criteria and have all necessary papers available to send with your completed application.

  • The Department of Kinesiology admits students in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

  • The Graduate school makes the final admission decision based on the program's recommendation. Students must send application materials to both the Graduate School Office of Admissions and to the intended program.

Curricula

Upon admission to the program, the following courses and credits are required for graduation. For specific course descriptions, please see the Graduate Catalogue.

 

Credits:
A) Required Courses: 8-12
KINES 991, Research in Physical Activity-Theory and Design 3
KINES 785, Human Occupation and Health 3
KINES 885, Seminar In Occupation and Health (2 semesters required) 2-6
   

B) Related Courses (two from the following):

 6
KINES 600, Psychological Foundations of Sport and Physical Activity 3
KINES 861, Principles of Motor Control and Learning 3
KINES 870, Principles of Assessment in Motor Behavior 3
KINES 880, Motor Development Across the Life Span 3
THER SCI 713, Neural Basis of Normal and Pathological Movement 3
THER SCI 750, Research Issues in Aging and Health 3
THER SCI 760, Research Issues in Early Development 3
   

C) Minor: (as per Graduate School policy; chosen in consultation with advisor)

 10-12
Option A: at least 10 credits taken in a single department outside the major.  
Option B: at least 10 credits taken in two of more departments, and can include coursework in the major department.  
   

D) General Field Requirement:

4-6
At least 2 graduate level courses of at least 2 credits each in Kinesiology at UW-Madison outside of the Therapeutic Science area.  
   

E) Advanced Competency in Statistics and Methodology.

 6-9
   

F) Electives in Kinesiology and other Departments (Chosen in consultation with advisor).

 8-10
   

G) Dissertation:

 3-6
KINES 990, Research and Thesis
   

Total

 54

Tuition

Please see the Graduate School web site for current tuition rates.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

    • Scholarships and Fellowships:

      • Caroline G. Thompson Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship
        Awarded to graduate students in the Master of Science in Therapeutic Science degree program or the Ph.D. in Kinesiology-Therapeutic Science track. The annual award includes a stipend and full-time tuition.

      • Mildred Averill Scholarship
        Awarded to one graduate woman in occupational therapy.

      • Elizabeth Roughton Memorial Fund
        Established in 1999 to honor Beth Roughton, a graduate student and former Maternal and Child Health Bureau Leadership Trainee, the fund supports a travel award for one of more occupational therapy graduate students. The travel award allows the students to attend a professional meeting relative to their research or professional development.

      • Advanced Opportunity Fellowship
        Please see the Graduate School Fellowships Office web site for information on this fellowship, awarded to students of color and/or educational disadvantages.

    • Project Assistantships: Appointees assist with research or other projects within the program. Please contact the Occupational Therapy Program Coordinator for information regarding PA opportunities in Occupational Therapy.

    • Teaching Assistantships: Applicants must retain eligibility for Wisconsin Occupational Therapy licensure. Please contact the Occupational Therapy Program Coordinator for information regarding TA opportunities in Occupational Therapy.

    • Research Assistantships: Appointees work on a particular research project for a faculty member, and may apply part of that work towards a thesis or dissertation. Please contact the individual faculty member regarding the availability of such positions.