Independent Health Professions at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. in Occupational Science educates individuals to engage in the scientific study of human occupation, the purposeful activities that constitute our life experiences. This important new science is chiefly concerned with the unique capacity of humans to develop adaptive skills, such as tool use and related occupational behaviors, and to choose and orchestrate daily occupations. It also seeks to understand the function, structure and interrelationship of these occupations and their impact on individuals and institutions.
The focus on occupation distinguishes this program from closely related disciplines such as psychology, sociology and anthropology. The program emphasizes the development of research skills and encourages students to organize and synthesize knowledge to contribute to occupational science theory, as opposed to therapeutic application.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program are expected to have a baccalaureate degree in an appropriate field, such as one of the biological or social sciences or occupational therapy, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) and a minimum score of 156 on the Verbal section and a minimum score of 146 on the Quantitative section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within 5 years of planned enrollment. At least three academic letters of reference must also be submitted. Other considerations include evidence of academic potential based on master’s level study (if relevant), research skills and interest, and a statement of purpose. International students must demonstrate competency in English, as measured by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination.
Degree Requirements
This degree is awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degree must be courses accepted by the USC Graduate School.
Course Requirements
Satisfactory completion of 60 units beyond the baccalaureate degree is required, including the following courses:
| REQUIRED CORE COURSES | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| OT 640 | Conceptual Foundations of Occupational Science | 4 |
| OT 641 | The Nature of Occupation | 4 |
| OT 660 | Research Practicum (2 units — six semesters) | 12 |
| REQUIRED CORE ELECTIVES (SELECT 5) | ||
|---|---|---|
| OT 642 | Therapeutic Uses of Self: Psychodynamic Perspectives | 4 |
| OT 643 | Meaningful Engagement in Everyday Life | 4 |
| OT 644 | Foundations of Research on Activity and Health | 4 |
| OT 645 | Narrative, Healing and the Culture of Biomedicine | 4 |
| OT 646 | Intersections of Occupational Science and Human Development | 4 |
| OT 653 | Play and Occupation | 4 |
| OT 655 | Work and Leisure | 4 |
Forty units of OT core courses must be completed; 20 of those units include the required courses OT 640 (4 units), OT 641 (4 units) and OT 660 (12 units). The remaining 20 units are to be selected from the other OT 600-level classes.
Those students who also wish to participate in clinical practice in occupational therapy may opt to complete a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Such students are required to complete the requirements for that degree as well as the occupational therapy undergraduate major courses if they are not registered occupational therapists or eligible for registration prior to study.
Cognate Requirement
Completion of a minimum of 12 units in a topic area such as one of the following is required: quantitative research approaches, qualitative research approaches, neuroscience, social development, life span development or gerontology.
Research Practicum
Each student will enroll in 2 units of OT 660 Research Practicum in Occupation per semester for six consecutive semesters, for a total of 12 units. Students are required to begin enrolling in OT 660 in their first semester of doctoral study. In this practicum the student will develop research skills by working as part of a research team under the direction of a faculty member.
Screening Procedures
Passing the screening is prerequisite to continuation in the doctoral program. Directions for obtaining and filing the Report on Ph.D. Screening Procedures are found in the Graduate School section of this catalogue.
Dissertation Enrollment
Doctoral students must submit a dissertation according to the policies and procedures described in the Graduate School section of this catalogue. Registration in OT 794 Doctoral Dissertation for a minimum of 4 units (2 units in each of two consecutive semesters) is required.
Summary of All Course Requirements
Required core courses are OT 640 (4), OT 641 (4), OT 660 (12) for a total of 20 units.
Required electives are five 600-level OT courses for a total of 20 units.
Cognate courses are a minimum total of 12 units.
Dissertation requires 2 units per semester for at least two semesters for a minimum total of 4 units.
Additional 4 units can include 4 further units of dissertation or cognate.
Total: 60 units
Foreign Language or Research Skills
The Ph.D. in Occupational Science does not require the demonstration of competence in a foreign language. However, each student is expected to achieve expertise, as defined by the student’s qualifying exam committee, in either qualitative or quantitative research techniques through participation in course work and the research practicum.
Qualifying Exam Committee
The qualifying exam committee is composed of five faculty members. Three members of the committee must be regular faculty from the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. One member must be from outside the division. Complete regulations for establishing a qualifying exam committee are found in the Graduate School section of this catalogue.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination is comprehensive in nature and requires the student to demonstrate a grasp of content from the core courses and the cognate area. The examination is both written and oral and is set and administered by the student’s qualifying exam committee. Refer to the Graduate School section of the catalogue for additional information about the qualifying exam.
Dissertation Committee
The dissertation committee is composed of at least three faculty members. The chair of the committee and at least one additional member of the committee must be regular faculty from the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. One member must be from outside the division. Complete regulations for establishing a dissertation committee are found in the Graduate School section of this catalogue.
Dissertation
Doctoral students must submit a dissertation based on students’ original research according to the policies and procedures of the Graduate School section of this catalogue. Upon approval of the preliminary copy of the dissertation by all members of the dissertation committee, the candidate must pass an oral defense of the dissertation. Upon successful completion of the oral defense and revisions, the manuscript is approved and the committee recommends the candidate to the Graduate School for the Ph.D.
Teaching
To prepare students for anticipated roles as faculty members, a teaching component is incorporated into the program. Students who receive teaching assistantships will be required to assist in relevant teaching assignments for a minimum of one academic year. Those who do not receive teaching assistantships are required to present a minimum of six lectures or laboratory sessions.
Additional Information
Further information about the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs can be obtained by writing or calling the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, 1540 Alcazar Street (CHP 133), Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003; (323) 442-2850, toll free (866) 385-4250, or by sending email to info@chan.usc.edu. Information regarding the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is available at chan.usc.edu.