Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy

The occupational therapy doctorate program prepares students to improve human lives through innovations in research, community engagement and education in occupational therapy and rehabilitation in general. The rigor and demands of the program match the need for occupational therapy services in a dynamic healthcare system that is highly technological and global.

The scientific study of humans as occupational beings is a central concept of this program, a concept based on the fundamental premise that occupation is an integral part of life and a prerequisite to participation. The program embraces the American Occupational Therapy Association Vision 2025 and focuses on producing leaders who use creative and critical thinking and clinical reasoning with great effectiveness and efficiency.

Unique features of the program:

Flipped classroom teaching model throughout the curriculum. The material is first introduced outside of class in a flipped classroom via videos, websites, reading materials, etc. Then, skills that would have been homework in the traditional learning environment are mastered in the classroom with the instructor's assistance.
Research partnerships with local universities and other schools at Georgia State, such as Georgia State's School of Music, Emory and Georgia Tech.
Community-based learning opportunities working with at-risk and underserved populations, such as refugees, homeless veterans and adults with serious mental illness.