Program Overview

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Kinesiology: Occupational Science, PhD

The Kinesiology: Occupational Science, PhD is a named option in the Kinesiology, PhD program. This program explores theories of occupational engagement and conducts research to expand the body of knowledge supporting the practice of occupational therapy.

Program Description

Occupational Science integrates theories and practices from various disciplines, including anatomy, biomechanics, motor control, neuroscience, psychology, and sociology, to enhance our understanding of how engagement in daily life activities promotes human health and well-being. The program prepares occupational therapists to serve as researchers and educators who can contribute to the understanding of the theoretical and empirical relationships between occupation, physiological health, and psychological well-being.

Research Opportunities

All faculty members have established laboratories for conducting research in Occupational Science, offering opportunities for collaborative work with faculty from other disciplines such as kinesiology, biomedical engineering, psychology, nursing, population health, sociology, human ecology, special education, or rehabilitation psychology.

Admissions

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).

• Fall Deadline: December 1
• Spring Deadline: September 1
• Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable.
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

For admission, the Graduate School requires a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework. An applicant must submit academic transcripts from each institution attended and a statement of reasons for graduate study.

Funding

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.

Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Face to Face: Yes
• Evening/Weekend: No
• Online: No
• Hybrid: No
• Accelerated: No

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 51 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 32 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Assessments and Examinations: PhD students must pass preliminary exams and successfully propose and defend a dissertation.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.
• Graduate School Breadth Requirement: A doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate is not required due to the broad areas of inquiry within Kinesiology. To ensure the breadth of study requirement is achieved, students are required to complete a minimum of two graduate-level courses in Kinesiology, outside of their named option coursework.

Required Courses

• Core:
  • KINES 785: Human Occupation and Health (3 credits)
  • KINES 885: Seminar in Occupation and Health (minimum of 2 semesters required) (2 credits)
  • KINES 990: Research or Thesis (4+ credits)
  • KINES 900: Seminar in Kinesiology 1 (4 credits)
• Research Content: 9 credits, including KINES 991: Research in Physical Activity- Theory and Design.
• Research Methods and Ethics: At least 6 credits.
• General Field Requirements: At least two graduate-level courses of at least two credits each in Kinesiology, at UW-Madison, outside of Occupational Sciences area.
• Suggested Electives: Students take as many electives as needed to reach the total credit minimum. Courses should be taken in a concentration area specific to the research area.

Policies

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 18 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No credits from other institutions or UWMadison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School's probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

• PhD students work with two (or three) committees during their studies: Preliminary exams Committee and Dissertation committee.
• The dissertation committee must have a minimum of five members.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum.

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School's time limits policy. Within the Department, completion of required courses and passing preliminary exams within three years of starting the PhD program is considered satisfactory progress.

Grievances and Appeals

The School of Education Student Grievance Policy and associated procedures are designed for use in response to individual student grievances regarding faculty or staff in the School of Education.

Professional Development

The Graduate School's professional development resources are available to build skills, thrive academically, and launch a career.