UW-Madison OT Program - MS and PhD in Kinesiology - Occupational Science Track

M.S. & Ph.D. in Kinesiology-Occupational Science Track
Admission Criteria

Program Description

The M.S. and Ph.D. track in Occupational Science is offered to occupational therapists or related professionals. The program prepares individuals to serve as researchers and educators who are able to contribute to the understanding of the theoretical and empirical relationships between occupation, health, and well-being. Completion of 16 credits for the MS program and 54 credits for the Ph.D. program beyond the baccalaureate degree is required and includes seminars in human occupation and health, courses that emphasize research theory and design, electives focusing on a particular area of study, and completion of a thesis or dissertation. View complete MS and Ph.D. program description. 

Faculty

Julia Wilbarger, Ph.D., OTR

Admission Criteria

Non-discriminatory Policy

The UW-Madison OT Program admission practice does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity or expression, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or age.

Admissions Procedures

All prospective students must meet the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School and the Department of Kinesiology graduate admission requirements. View details for applying to graduate studies in the Department of Kinesiology.

Prerequisites and Application requirements

• A degree from a professional program in occupational therapy or related field from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum 3.0 GPA (on 4.0 scale) on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours of coursework.
• Submission of official Graduate Record Examination (GRE: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical) scores and Toefl scores for foreign students by time of application.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Official academic transcripts.
• Statement of purpose for graduate study.
• Agreement by an individual faculty member to serve as the student's major advisor.

Additional Requirements for the Ph.D.:

• A Master’s degree is required for admission.  The M.S. in Kinesiology, Occupational Science Track is one means of satisfying this requirement.
• If the Master's degree was awarded without a thesis, then evidence of scholarly writing in the form of a professionally peer-reviewed publication is required.

Completion of a degree in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university meets the prerequisite course requirements for admission to the MS and PhD programs in Kinesiology: Occupational Science track.

Deficiencies: Students lacking certain prerequisite courses may still be considered for admission to the Kinesiology graduate program. These students are said to be admitted with “deficiencies”, and these deficiencies must be made up as a part of the student’s graduate coursework. Generally, deficiencies may not exceed 12 credits. Students admitted with deficiencies in prerequisite courses retain eligibility for financial aid consideration