The mission of the PhD program is to develop scholarly practitioners who will exert leadership in advancing the base of knowledge regarding the practice of occupational therapy. PhD graduates will also demonstrate such independent scholarly activities such as independent research, leadership on interdisciplinary research teams, and contributions to theory development.

Students will complete most, but not all, of the PhD program by distance. Students will travel to the NSU campus once each semester for four days of intensive course work. The rest of the semester's work is completed from the student's home via readings, writing, practicum experiences, and on-line assignments and communication with the professor and other students in the class. PhD students spend two 4-week summer sessions on campus to immerse themselves in scholarly research activities and coursework.

The core curriculum for the PhD includes core courses, electives, doctoral research courses, residency, and a dissertation of original research. See the OT Doctoral Manual regarding more details.

PhD Doctoral Courses

Courses in the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy) program are organized into four areas of focus: Leadership, Advanced practice, Entrepreneurship, and Research. Students take courses across all four areas. PhD students are required to take the starred courses (*). Different electives are offered each semester.

Leadership
*OCT 6860	Creative Leadership
OCT 6102	The Health Professional as Academic Educator
OCT 6109	The Health Professional and Cultural Diversity
OCT 6132	Advanced Legal and Ethical Issues in Practice
OCT 6133	Advanced Policy Issues
OCT 6140	Media Relations for the Health Professional
Advanced Practice
*OCT 6010	Theory Development for Models of Practice
*OCT 6103	Occupation-centered Practice
OCT 6110	The Health Professional and Disability Laws
OCT 6180	Neuroscience Foundation of Occupational Performance
OCT 6211	Sensory Processing Aspects of Occupational Performance
OCT 6241	Child and Infant Mental Health
OCT 6242	OT Practice with Children and Youth with Autism
OCT 6244	Low Vision Across the Lifespan
OCT 6302	Contextual Analysis of Occupational Performance
OCT 6793	Wellness and Health Promotion
OCT 6769	Community Practicum
OCT 6911	Chronicity, Occupation and Health
Entrepreneurship
OCT 6767	Community Program Development
OCT 6789	Small Business Development
OCT 6791	Grant Practicum
OCT 6831	The Occupational Therapist as Consultant
Research
*OCT 6005	Evidence-based Practice and Critical Thinking
OCT 6006	Research: Process of Discovery
*OCT 6820	Applying Measurement Theory to Evaluation
*OCT 6170	Research Methods for Occupational Therapy I
*OCT 6171	Research Methods for Occupational Therapy II
*OCT 6173	Statistical Measures for Occupational Therapists
*OCT 7930	Research Seminar
*OCT 7945	Studies for the Qualifying Examination
*OCT 7950	Research Residency
*OCT 7960	Proposal Seminar
*OCT 7970	Doctoral Dissertation
*OCT 6104	Occupational Science

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISTANCE DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR DISTANCE DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

Routes of Entry/Courses of Study

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

1. An applicant who has a baccalaureate degree in another field or who has 90 semester credits from a regionally accredited college or university (60 lower division and 30 upper division) may apply for admission to the doctoral program. These students will complete the 30-credit MOT degree requirements on campus and continue with the additional 60 credits of doctoral study. Students admitted with a baccalaureate in another field must complete:

Course		Semester Hours
	Equivalent of entry-level master's program, in Occupational Therapy including 6 months of internship
OCT 6005	Evidence-based Practice and Critical Thinking	3
OCT 6010	Theory Development for Models of Practice	3
OCT 6103	Occupation-centered Practice	3
OCT 6170	Research Methods for Occupational Therapists I	3
OCT 6171	Research Methods for Occupational Therapists II	3
OCT 6173	Statistical Measures	3
OCT 6820	Applying Measurement Theory to Evaluation	2
OCT 6860	Creative Leadership	3
	Electives (Selected with advisory committee approval to complement stated practice focus.)	5-18
OCT 7930	Research Seminar (2 times)	1 + 1
OCT 7945	Studies for the Qualifying Examination	1
OCT 7950	Research Residency	3-6
OCT 7960	Proposal Seminar	2
OCT 7970	Doctoral Dissertation	6-12
TOTAL		Minimum of 90

1. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy may be admitted into the Ph.D. program. Students with a baccalaureate in Occupational Therapy must complete:

3. Certified occupational therapists with a master's degree from an accredited institution may enter the PhD program and transfer up to 30 semester hours with the permission of the Director of the Doctoral Program. Students with a master's degree must complete:

4. Graduates of the NSU Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program (OTD) may apply to the PhD program on a space-available basis. If accepted, students must complete:

Tuition and Fees

Meet Some of Our Students...

For more information, please call the Health Professions Division

Occupational Therapy Admissions Office at (954) 262-1101 or 1-800-356-0026 Ext. 21101 (Ask for Occupational Therapy Admissions) You may also contact Dr. Max Ito, Director of Doctoral programs, at 954-262-1227 or email at imax@nova.edu

Note: A prospective student should consult the university catalogue. Should any discrepancies exist between the catalogue and this Web Page, the university catalogue will be considered to be the official binding document.

Catalog link for PhD program ( page 26 of the pdf document, page 154 of Catalog)

Resource Page for Doctoral Students