April 7, 2026
Lynn Howell
As the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences marks its 60th anniversary, it’s celebrating a proud legacy and recent national recognition. In the recent 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, Ohio State’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program maintains its #4 national ranking, while the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program earned a #13 ranking—affirming the school’s continued leadership in health and rehabilitation education six decades after its founding.
The rankings reflect the enduring strength of HRS’s mission: to educate outstanding clinicians, advance discovery and scholarship, and improve health outcomes for individuals and communities. As the school honors 60 years of impact, these recognitions highlight how that mission continues to evolve and thrive.
Physical Therapy: consistent excellence at the highest level
Ohio State’s DPT program has maintained its #4 national standing, a testament to long-term vision, faculty leadership and student achievement.
“Our ranking reflects decades of intentional growth and a clear sense of purpose,” said John Buford, PT, PhD, FAPTA, professor and director of the Division of Physical Therapy. “What matters most is that our peers recognize the outcomes of our work—graduates who are prepared to lead and deliver exceptional care.”
Susan Appling, PT, DPT, PhD, professor and program director in the Division of Physical Therapy emphasized that the program’s focus extends well beyond rankings. “Advancing physical therapy means preparing clinicians who are thoughtful, adaptable and committed to lifelong learning,” she said. “That commitment has guided the program for years and continues to shape where we’re headed.”
Occupational Therapy: national leader for more than 80 years
Established in 1942, Ohio State’s occupational therapy program has spent more than eight decades shaping the profession, educating generations of practitioners and advancing practice through research, service and community engagement. That long-standing legacy continues to resonate nationally, with the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program remaining in the top 15 nationally for more than a decade.
“Our program has always been rooted in the belief that knowledge should be useful, relevant and responsive,” said Carmen P. DiGiovine, PhD, ATP/SMS, RET, clinical professor and director of the Division of Occupational Therapy. “For more than eight decades, we’ve focused on turning research and education into meaningful impact—whether in clinical settings, communities or policy.”
“This recognition speaks to the momentum we’ve built and the thoughtful work happening across our program,” said Erika Kemp, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, clinical associate professor and program director in the Division of Occupational Therapy. “We’re intentional about preparing students to respond to change, contribute meaningfully to their communities and help move the profession forward.”
Online bachelor’s program: consistently ranks among the nation’s best
In addition to its graduate program success, HRS continues to excel in online education. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences online program and the AS to BS Completion Degree in Radiological Sciences once again earned recognition among the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s Program list, ranking #4 for 2026.