Master of Science in Occupational Science
Introduction
Occupational Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the nature and function of human occupation (the things people do in their everyday lives) as it relates to individuals, communities and societies.
This online degree is well suited for students with diverse undergraduate degrees, including but not limited to those with occupational therapy degrees, who have a commitment to exploring the science of everyday doing.
The program learning outcomes are:
1. Apply occupational science related concepts to analyze policies, theories, and social norms to enhance occupation.
2. Understand and apply a variety of research methodologies to address occupation-focused phenomena.
3. Demonstrate how occupational science has the potential to transform epistemologies, policies, procedures, and practices in multiple settings, and across diverse contexts.
This innovative online program can be completed either full or part-time. For full-time students, there will typically be one year of courses and one additional year of thesis work for those pursuing the thesis option or 1 additional year for their capstone project for those completing the course-based option. Students will require regular and consistent access to the internet to participate successfully in this fully online distance education program.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MSc (OS) program is open to candidates who have completed a four-year baccalaureate degree in a field which can be related to the interdisciplinary field of Occupational Science. Students must meet the minimum requirements for admission set out by FGS. (See Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations 3.2).
Drawing on the Dalhousie University Faculty of Health Equitable Admissions Policy, the School of Occupational Therapy is committed to improving the representation of Aboriginal/Indigenous students (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), members of other racialized groups, Acadians, persons with dis/Abilities, and students belonging to sexual orientation and/or gender identity (SOGI) minority groups. Applicants from these groups who meet the application requirements will be given preference in admissions. If you self-identify with one or more of these groups and wish to be considered under this policy, you may voluntarily provide this information about yourself in your supplemental application.
Application Process and Application Deadlines
Please refer to the MSc(OS) Program website for the application details. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure all documents are sent on time. If you have any questions, please contact us at MSc.OccScience@dal.ca.
Scholarship Support, Awards, Bursaries
Students who are seeking scholarship support for the thesis-based program are encouraged to explore funding opportunities through the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Please refer to Funding Opportunities - Faculty of Graduate Studies - Dalhousie University and the School of Occupational Therapy website for more information. Most scholarship applications are due in early December, so applicants are encouraged to apply for scholarships and the program early.
Degree Requirements
Thesis Option - total 12 credit hours + thesis
Core Course (9 credit hours)
OCCU 6510.03: Occupational Science Theory: Doing, Being, Belonging, Becoming
OCCU 6511.03: Research Methods and Literacy
OCCU 6513.03: Putting Knowledge to Use
Elective Courses (3 credit hours) (see below for elective options)
Thesis
OCCU 9002.00: Thesis
Students are typically expected to enroll in the thesis each term until it is complete. Note that thesis students must complete OCCU 6510.03 and OCCU 6511.03 before defending their thesis proposal.
Course-based Option - total 24 credit hours
(first intake anticipated in 2024/2025)
Core Course (18 credit hours)
OCCU 6510.03: Occupational Science Theory: Doing, Being, Belonging, Becoming
OCCU 6511.03: Research Methods and Literacy
OCCU 6513.03: Putting Knowledge to Use
OCCU 6512.03: Social Inequities in Everyday Life
OCCU 6514.06: Social Impact through Occupational Science
Elective Courses (6 credit hours) from list below
Sample Elective Options
Elective course offerings in any given year will depend on instructor availability, so please refer to the Timetable or contact the school for courses being offered this academic year
OCCU 6512.03: Social Inequities in Everyday Life (elective for Thesis students only*)
OCCU 6515.03: Contemporary & Global Issues in the World of Work
OCCU 6516.03: Aging, Inclusion & Participation
OCCU 6517.03: Program Planning & Evaluation
OCCU 6518.03: Identity & Transitions: We Are What We Do
OCCU 6519.03: Assessing Health & Occupational Outcomes
OCCU 6520.03: Community Development: Daily Lives & Collective Doing
OCCU 6521.03: Chronic Conditions in Everyday Life
OCCU 6522.03: Directed Reading Course
OCCU 6523.03, 6524.03, 6525.03, 6526.03: Special Topics
(courses that will change based on current topics, issues)
Not all electives are offered every year. Please see School of Occupational Therapy website for course offerings each year.
Additional elective options may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate Coordinator.
*an elective for Thesis students only as it is required for course-based option
Sample Timetable for Full-Time Thesis Student
Sample Timetable for Part-Time Thesis Student
Sample Timetable for Full-Time Course-based Student
Sample Timetable for Part-Time Course-based Student
Program Information
Residency, Orientation, Committee Members
All full-time and part-time MSc (OS) students are required to participate in a part-time online orientation period of up to two weeks. There is no required on-site residency for this program, although some thesis supervisors may request residency, when appropriate. The orientation schedule includes an introduction to the program and faculty, the library and technology.
Each thesis student is encouraged to identify potential Faculty Supervisor(s) in their application. The proposed supervisor will accept them as their student or in some circumstances, the admission team will propose faculty to take the role of supervisor. A thesis supervisor will typically be confirmed upon admission into the program, with all thesis supervisors confirmed within the first term of the program. A thesis committee will be formed in compliance with FGS regulations.
Full-Time and Part-Time Study
The MSc (OS) program is available on a full-time or part-time basis, with preference given to full-time students.
Length of Program
Full-time: Approximately 2 years.
Part-time: Approximately 3-4 years.
Part-time students must be registered in at least one course each term unless on an approved leave of absence. See FGS regulations regarding maximum time allowed to complete.
Program Fees
It is anticipated that full-time students will pay the 1-year program fee in the first year while taking courses and then pay continuing fees in the second year while completing their thesis or remaining courses.
Part-time students are required to pay the equivalent full-time program fee over 9 terms after which they will transition to continuing fees. Part time students who compete their requirements early will be required to cover any remaining balance.
See money matters for details about fees and payment schedules:https://www.dal.ca/admissions/money_matters.html.
Additional Costs
Additional student expenses include: textbooks, long distance telephone and fax costs, photocopy costs for library materials, access to the Internet and other technology or software. Depending on a student’s thesis research, statistical or qualitative analysis software and bibliographic software may be required.
Transfer Credits
Up to one relevant transfer credit elective may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Dalhousie Letters of Permission
Students are not permitted to complete any credit hours outside Dalhousie.