PhD Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The PhD Program of the Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers opportunities for graduate students to receive training across a range of the discipline’s interests, to include in that training work in cognate disciplines, and to work directly with faculty members on specific research projects. As much as possible, programs are tailored to the needs and interests of the individual student. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume leadership roles as scholars, researchers, and educators in academic institutions and as clinical researchers in a wide assortment of healthcare and community settings.

Faculty: School of Medicine | Department: Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Core courses include HSCI 902 Philosophical Foundations: Assumptions Guiding Research Methodologies; HSCI 903 Qualitative Foundations: Understanding People and Practices; HSCI 904 Quantitative Foundations: Alternative Designs; OCSC 845 Conceptual Introduction to Occupational Science; OCSC 855 Theorizing on Human Doing; OCSC 890 Seminar on Special Topics in Occupational Science.

Career pathways

The doctoral program prepares individuals who wish to pursue academic careers that could include teaching, research, and other scholarly activities related to occupational science and occupational therapy. Competencies for an academic career

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School minimum (applies to all graduate programmes): a four-year bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution completed before graduate study begins and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better; application via the Graduate School online application with transcripts, three recommendation letters, statement of purpose and CV, plus any programme-specific tests/materials; international applicants add a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score; admission decisions are made by each programme. Programme-specific: The Ph.D. program in occupational science accepts applicants with an earned master's degree in occupational therapy or a related field (see admission requirements below). Requirements for Admission into the M.S. Requirements for Admission into the Ph.D.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants apply for a start term; fall is the main start term. Very few programmes admit new students for spring or summer terms.

Graduate applications and payment must be received by the deadline of the academic programme applied to, which varies by programme; the application closes at 11:59pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. The Graduate School recommends complete applications by December 15, 2026 for full fellowship consideration.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions/

Explore more study programmes

Health Sciences