Occupational Therapy Ph.D. in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science

To be considered for the Fall 2024 admission, we prefer complete applications to be submitted by Feb. 1, 2024. 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.

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.