Research in Occupational Therapy (PhD)
Program Description
The PhD program in Research in Occupational Therapy provides occupational therapists with the knowledge and skills to work in the profession as researchers, scholars, and educators. Students take courses in advanced occupational therapy and other disciplines across NYU. Founded in 1973, the degree was the first PhD of its kind in the world.
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
Occupational therapists holding a master's degree take a total of 52 credits, including course work, and complete a dissertation. New York University graduates with a master's degree in post-professional occupational therapy must complete a minimum of 42 credits and write a dissertation. Full-time or part-time study is available.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Department Core | ||
| OT-GE 2762 | Theoretical Foundations for Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2763 | Developing a Guideline for Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2764 | Ethics & Analytical Reasoning | 3 |
| Cognate Courses | ||
| Select 6 credits of Cognate by advisement | 6 | |
| Foundations | ||
| Select 6 credits of Foundations by advisement | 6 | |
| Departmental Seminar | ||
| OT-GE 3406 | Departmental Sem: Ot | 3 |
| Dissertation Proposal Seminar | ||
| RESCH-GE 3001 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 |
| Specialized Research Course | ||
| 3 credits by advisement | 3 | |
| Research Elective Courses | ||
| 15 credits by advisement | 15 | |
| OT-GE 3408 | Doctoral Colloq in Ot | 1 |
| Other Elective Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| 1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| OT-GE 2762 | Theoretical Foundations for Intervention | 3 |
| Foundations Course | 3 | |
| Foundations Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| 2nd Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 2763 | Developing a Guideline for Intervention | 3 |
| OT-GE 2764 | Ethics & Analytical Reasoning | 3 |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| 3rd Semester/Term | ||
| OT-GE 3406 | Departmental Sem: Ot | 3 |
| Research Methods/Design Course | 3 | |
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| 4th Semester/Term | ||
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| Cognate Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| 5th Semester/Term | ||
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| OT-GE 3408 | Doctoral Colloq in Ot | 1 |
| RESCH-GE 3001 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| 6th Semester/Term | ||
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| Dissertation-Related Course | 3 | |
| OT-GE 3408 | Doctoral Colloq in Ot | 0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate mastery of a selected body of information that is fundamental to the student’s doctoral dissertation and ability to conduct a scientific inquiry.
- Identify and present cutting-edge questions regarding the professional body of knowledge related to the student’s area of research.
- Deliver a lecture in an area of interest/expertise for OT class or other professional forum.
Policies
Department Policies
Maintaining Matriculation
All PhD students must maintain matriculation during the course of study for spring and fall semesters. The maintenance of matriculation can be done either through taking a credit-bearing NYU course or by registering for MAINT-GE 4747. PhD students who are within the maximum allowable matriculation period and have completed required course work should maintain matriculation by registering for MAINT-GE 4747, 0 credits, exclusive of summer terms. They also must register for Doctoral Colloquium OT-GE 3408 (0 credits).
All PhD students who are beyond the maximum matriculation period and have been granted an extension are required to maintain continuous matriculation by taking a credit-bearing NYU course. PhD students who have completed required course work should maintain matriculation by registering for MAINT-GE 4747, 0 credits, exclusive of summer terms. They also must register for Doctoral Colloquium OT-GE 3408 (0 credits).
Final Grade Appeals
- Students may only appeal final course grades.
- Students wishing to appeal a course’s final grade must first speak with the course instructor, who will determine whether there is any procedural reason for the change of grade. If a grade change is not granted by the course instructor, and the student wishes to pursue the appeal request, the student then must consult with their academic advisor to consider the feasibility of an appeal to the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee.
- An appeal must be made in writing to the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee via email (occupational.therapy@nyu.edu). The appeal must be submitted within 15 business days after the grade in question has been officially posted on Albert.
- When students appeal a failing “F” final grade they are not permitted to continue the course sequence (and must drop all courses) while the appeal is in process. Therefore, students would be well advised to submit a letter of appeal as promptly as possible.
- The formal appeal should be addressed to the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee.
- The formal appeal for a final grade change must establish policy and procedural error directly affecting the issue in question. The student’s letter of appeal should clearly state the reasons for appealing the final grade and include all relevant supporting documentation.
- Appeals are reviewed by the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Appeals Committee. The Committee may require the student to present and appeal to the Committee in person.
- The Chair of the Appeals Committee will notify the student of the Committee’s decision within 10 business days of the initial filing date of the appeal.
- If the student disagrees with the decision of the Appeals Committee, the student may file an appeal to the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy within 10 business days from the date of the Appeals Committee’s decision. The decision made by the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy is final.
Incomplete (I) Grades
The grade of Incomplete (I) is a temporary designation indicating that, due to extenuating circumstances, a student has not yet completed all required coursework, but is likely to pass the course once the remaining requirements are completed. A student may request an “I” grade from the professor providing a rationale for the request. There must also be a documented agreement between the student and the professor outlining the remaining course requirements and the deadline by which these must be completed. Professors can update an “I” grade via Albert SIS once the student has successfully completed the outstanding coursework. Should a grade of “I” not be changed to a final grade by the established deadline, it will automatically convert to an “F” grade.
When an Incomplete grade is received in a course that serves as a prerequisite to a course in the following semester, the student may continue in the curriculum sequence with approval from the course instructor of the subsequent course. However, the incomplete grade must be resolved satisfactorily within the first three weeks of the new semester. If the incomplete grade is not resolved within this three-week period, the student will be required to withdraw from all courses that depend on the incomplete course as a prerequisite, and the Incomplete grade will convert to an “F.” Please note: In accordance with NYU’s Policy, a final grade of “F” cannot be removed from a transcript, and will be included in the GPA calculation.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.