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 and program affiliation fee waivers. 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.

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

Mentor: Dr. Paul Y. Yoo

Anticipated start date: Fall 2026 (Application due Feb 1, 2026)

 Research Focus 

This position offers opportunities to contribute to advancing research in the following focus areas:

• Participation and health inclusion — investigating pathways that support meaningful participation and equitable health outcomes among children with developmental disabilities and neuroinflammatory disorders.
• Environmental determinants of health — examining how factors such as the built environment, social networks, and socioeconomic status shape clinical and health outcomes of children with developmental disabilities and neuroinflammatory disorders.
• Inclusive community programming — co-designing, implementing, and evaluating inclusive and accessible community programs that promote participation of children and youth with developmental disabilities.
• Measurement and technology innovation — developing and validating measurement tools (i.e., CHILD-CHII) and digital/AI health applications that support participation and health outcomes for children with developmental disabilities.

 What We Offer: 

• Full tuition coverage and research assistant stipend for 3 years
• Opportunities to contribute to ongoing research projects and interdisciplinary collaborations
• Mentorship in participatory research, implementation science, outcome measurement, and mixed-methods research
• Training within a land-grant, top-ranked Occupational Therapy program at a Carnegie R1 institution – currently ranked #3 in the United States

 Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, Public Health, Psychology, Kinesiology, or related field
• Academic record with evidence of research potential (e.g., thesis, publications, presentations)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

 Preferred Qualifications: 

• Clinical experience in occupational therapy or allied health profession
• Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methods including data analysis
• Familiarity with land-grant university mission and/or Cooperative Extension System
• Interest or experience in community engagement and participatory methods

Ph.D. Student Research Assistant in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science
Mentor: Dr. Caiti Peters

Anticipated start date: Fall 2026 (Application due Feb 1, 2026)

The successful candidate will serve as study coordinator for a pilot study of equine-assisted learning for young adults with Down Syndrome. Additionally, the student will have opportunities to contribute to other equine-assisted services research at Temple Grandin Equine Center. Find more information here.

What We Offer:

• Full tuition coverage and research assistant stipend for 3 years
• Rigorous academic program in occupation and rehabilitation science
• Opportunities to contribute to ongoing research projects and interdisciplinary collaborations
• Mentorship in intervention science, clinical trials management, outcome measurement, and mixed-methods research
• Training within a land-grant, top-ranked Occupational Therapy program at a Carnegie R1 institution – currently ranked #3 in the United States

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, Public Health, Psychology, Kinesiology, Animal Sciences with a human-animal interaction focus, or related field
• Academic record with evidence of research potential (e.g., thesis, publications, presentations)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing equine-assisted services (adaptive/therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, occupational therapy integrating horses, etc.)
• Experience working with individuals with Down Syndrome or other developmental disabilities
• Experience with project management, especially clinical trials management
• Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, including data analysis

More Information:

• Learn about Temple Grandin Equine Center Research
• Access Application Materials
• If interested, contact Caiti Peters at caiti.peters@colostate.edu