Movement Science and Education

Occupational Therapy

Program Coordinators: Andrew Gordon            Email: msnsprogram@tc.columbia.edu
Academic Secretary: Erynn Lowery                   Phone: (212) 678-3325   Fax: (212) 678-3322

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Degrees Offered: Doctorate of Education Ed.D

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In a combined effort with the Occupational Therapy Programs at Columbia University 's College of Physicians and Surgeons, we now offer a doctoral (Ed.D.) specialization in Occupational Therapy (OT). Columbia University 's Programs in Occupational Therapy is one of the oldest yet exceptionally progressive programs to educate occupational therapists. The program's roots began in 1916, and the academic degree program began in 1941. Since that time, Columbia University has been at the forefront of occupational therapy education. The program is committed to educating and preparing therapists to impact health care as superior clinicians, administrators, educators, and researchers.

Today, the OT Program is also a top-ten ranked program, and the combined expertise with movement science and education/kinesiology faculty further adds expertise to both areas. Students take core and research preparation course work in the Movement Science program, and coursework in the Occupational Therapy Program. The research would be carried out largely under the supervision of Occupational Therapy faculty, with the additional support of Movement Science faculty.

This specialization is a unique opportunity for Occupational Therapists that incorporates the study of neuromotor and physiological function as it relates to participation in daily life. Prospective students should already have a Masters degree and be licensed in occupational therapy. Students enrolled in the Ed.D. Program will have an opportunity to advance basic and applied science as it relates to occupational therapy and movement science. 

Broad areas of research fall under the following categories:

• How movement and posture support participation in daily living.
• Movement impairment and its impact on functional daily living skills
• Development and testing of real world / ecologically valid assessments of motor function
• Development and testing of occupation based practice guidelines

Current and potential areas of specific research foci include:

• The role of perception, motor, and cognition in the context of daily living.
• How mental imagery and practice affects recovery after central nervous system dysfunction.
• Vestibular, sensory and motor impairment as manifested in patients with psychiatric disorders, and its affect on participation in daily living.
  
  

Degree

The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) with a specialization in Occupational Therapy is directed toward preparing the current and the next generation of leaders in Occupational Therapy (OT) with interests in movement-based areas of education. These leaders will assume professorial roles in Universities and Colleges within departments of Occupational Therapy. The degree may lead to:

• Tenure-track faculty position in Occupational Therapy departments emphasizing teaching and applied research.
• Research Coordinator (university, hospital, clinic)
• Director/Administrator (university, teaching hospital)
  
  

For more information, download our brochure and visit Next Step TC to request program information. You can send specific program questions to the program's academic secretary: Eryn Lowery or the program coordinator listed at the top of the page.