Occupational Science Ph.D.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/occutherapy/programs/gradoccusci/
Program Director: Mary Beth Merryman, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Phone: 410-704-3499
Email: bmerryman@towson.edu
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Occupational Science prepares graduates to engage in the creation of knowledge regarding the complexity of humans as they participate in their daily lives. This involves the investigation of the relationship among the occupations, health and life participation of individuals of all ages within the context of their families, communities and society. The program focuses on the depth and breadth of participation across contexts and relation to well-being of humans by applying knowledge gained through the study of occupational science.
Admission Requirements
Application deadlines and a full listing of materials required for admission can be found on the website.
The doctoral degree requires the completion of at least 90 units beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Prerequisite Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| OCTH 610 | DATA ANALYSIS IN OCCUPATION-BASED RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (or equivalent graduate statistics course) | 3 |
| OCTH 613 | ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATION BASED PRACTICE (or equivalent) | 3 |
General Requirements
- The doctoral degree will require the completion of 90 units beyond a bachelor’s degree; students who hold a master’s degree in a discipline other than occupational therapy will be allowed to transfer a maximum of 30 units from their master’s degree; students who hold a master’s degree in occupational therapy may transfer a maximum of 36 units from their master’s degree. Students who hold a clinical doctoral degree in occupational therapy may transfer a maximum of 45 units from a combination of their master’s degree and their clinical doctorate.
- A program of study focusing on a particular aspect of occupation will be developed by the student in consultation with his or her adviser. This program of study is to include all planned electives. A minimum of two electives must be at the 700 level. One elective must be an additional education course, and one must be an additional quantitative statistics, mixed methods or qualitative course.
- Evidence of prior research experience is required. Applicants who do not have appropriate experience may be expected to take master’s-level research course work before beginning the doctoral program research sequence.
- The program, including course work and dissertation, must be completed within 10 years.
- The doctoral degree will require the passing of a comprehensive assessment after completing OSC 742, OSC 744, OSC 746, OSC 770, and OSC 892. Students must pass the comprehensive assessment prior to enrolling in OSC 895. After successful completion, students will be “advanced to candidacy.”
- The doctoral degree will require successful defense of a dissertation proposal.
- The doctoral degree will require successful defense of a dissertation (minimum of 12 units), involving research in occupational science.
Degree Requirements
For the most recent course and degree requirements, visit the Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science website.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Units from Previous Master's or Doctoral Degree | 30-45 | |
| Required Courses | ||
| IDHP 741 | ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES IN CLINCIAL PRACTICE (or equivalent ethics/justice course) | 3 |
| OCTH 603 | ISSUES IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (or equivalent or professional issues and advocacy course) | 3 |
| OCTH 604 | ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL EDUCATION (or academic assessment and teaching course) | 3 |
| OCTH 611 | ADVANCED THEORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF OCCUPATION | 3 |
| OSC 742 | ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE | 3 |
| OSC 744 | PARTICIPATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE IN THEIR CONTEXT | 3 |
| OSC 746 | PARTICIPATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN COMMUNITIES AND POPULATIONS | 3 |
| OSC 890 | QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: OCCUPATION AND LIFE NARRATIVE | 3 |
| OSC 895 | APPLIED PROJECT; EVERYDAY LIFE AND DIMENSIONS OF OCCUPATION | 3 |
| OSC 997 | OSC DISSERTATION | 12 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| Sample elective options: | 15 | |
| OT HEALTH PROMOTION INITIATIVES IN THE COMMUNITY | ||
| CONTEMPORARY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE | ||
| ASSESSMENT THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY IN OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE | ||
| DIRECTED READINGS IN OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE (or equivalent course) | ||
| Total Units 2 | 90 | |
- 1
Students may earn a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Family-Professional Collaboration or in Autism Studies using elective units.
- 2
Students must earn at least 90 units past the bachelor's degree.
- Examine and produce knowledge related to the application of occupations to support the participation of people in their daily lives.
- Analyze, generate, and disseminate knowledge related to the form, purpose, and meaning of occupation as it applies to the daily life of people.
- Demonstrate proficiency in use of technology to participate and produce appropriate scholarly work.