Occupational Therapy Ph.D. in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science

Thank you for your interest in our program. Admission is based on a competitive review of all applicants. We anticipate supporting one to two students each year with graduate assistantships. Funding is limited and we will post opportunities on this page as they become available.

To be considered for the Fall 2025 admission, we prefer complete applications to be submitted by Feb. 1, 2025. Applications beyond this date will be accepted and considered on an individual basis.

Below are our application requirements and the process for applying to our Occupation and Rehabilitation Science Ph.D. program. As is common in most graduate programs, the below requirements reflect the minimum standards an applicant must meet. Certainly, achievement above the minimum standards will increase the competitiveness of your application. If you have any questions about the following application requirements and process, please contact Arlene Schmid, Ph.D. Program Director.

The application process entails two required components:

1. Identification of a Ph.D. adviser
2. Submission of the CSU Graduate School application

The first step in the application process involves determining which faculty member would be a “fit” as a potential Ph.D. adviser. Following a review of the individual research programs of the Ph.D. program faculty, you may contact individual faculty members to ask questions and discuss your goals and interests related to our ORS Ph.D. program.

Through a series of conversations, you should seek to determine which Ph.D. faculty member offers the best fit with your own research interests, as well as who is willing to serve as your mentor. Please note that, even if a faculty member makes a tentative commitment to be your adviser, applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis and decisions will be made by the ORS Ph.D. Committee.

You should also discuss with a potential adviser the possibilities for funding to support your education at CSU. This funding could come from your adviser’s program of research or from other sources. Keep in mind that decisions to financially support a student are sometimes decided through a competitive process.

CSU offers options for graduate students to apply for free through institutional fee waivers, program affiliation fee waivers, and free application days. Learn about these options.

Applicants apply to the Department of Occupational Therapy and the CSU Graduate School by completing a CSU Graduate School application. Applicants will be required to submit the following mandatory information:

1. Purpose Statement:
   1. Describes your specific interest in our Ph.D. in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science
   2. Provides an overview of your past career and/or educational experiences and outlines your specific areas of research interest and expertise including references to extant literature
   3. Details your future career ambitions and why they are a fit with one or more of our Ph.D. program’s core research areas.
2. Identification of a Ph.D. Adviser
3. Curriculum Vitae/ Resume
4. Three Letters of Reference: Applicants are required to identify three references who will be requested to provide information electronically.
5. Transcripts: Official transcripts must be submitted from all institutions in which the applicant earned college credit in undergraduate and graduate studies. Colorado State University transcripts are not required.
6. Test of English as a Foreign Language: Only required for international student applicants. As per the CSU graduate school admissions requirements, applicants must receive at least the minimum score of 80 internet-based. This graduate school requirement is detailed in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Position: Ph.D. Student Research Assistant in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science

Benefits: Full tuition coverage and research assistant stipend for 3 years

Mentor: Dr. Jaewon Kang

Research Focus Areas:

• Supporting aging in place for individuals with disabilities
• Enhancing functional independence through environmental interventions and utilizing technology
• Conducting remote home assessments using advanced technologies, such as 3D modeling
• Improving awareness and perceptions of home modifications

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD), or a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, Computer Science, Interior Design, or a related field
• Willingness to learn and apply various research methodologies in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science
• Strong interest in rehabilitation research and innovative interventions for adults and older adults
• Availability to start the PhD program in Fall 2025

Preferred Qualifications:

• Licensed or eligible for licensure as an occupational therapist in Colorado