PhD in Occupational Therapy/Therapist (PhD)

Drake University places students in Des Moines, a city with connections to the arts, business, politics, and food. The campus offers an open environment for students who want to begin with a clear academic interest or take time to discover a direction. Hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities, and support designed to help students gain their footing are part of the Drake experience.

Academic options span more than 150 programs across seven colleges and schools. Faculty help students connect classroom learning with research, internships, and other practical experiences. Personalized mentorship is central to the student experience, with faculty available to support students as they work toward their goals. Global perspectives are integrated into campus life through learning alongside students from around the world and opportunities on campus and across the globe.

Community service is also part of learning at Drake. Students, faculty, and staff contribute more than 230,000 hours each year through volunteer work, outreach, and pro-bono service in the Des Moines community. International students can expect a setting that links academic study with local engagement and global perspectives, while the city provides access to cultural, civic, business, and culinary experiences beyond campus.

Students study how to help people with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and learning disabilities, plus adverse environmental conditions, maintain independence and health. They learn basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, assessment, tests and measurements, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counseling, health education, and ethics.

Graduates assist patients through planned skill-building, motivation, environmental adaptations, assistive technologies, and physical agents. Typical applications include patient assessment, rehabilitation, special education, vocational counseling, health education, and promoting independence and optimum health.

For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 64% of applicants.