Submissions

Author Guidelines

Journal Scope
JOAL is a peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship, research, and practice within higher education contexts. We welcome original manuscripts that explore the role of OT in higher education, highlight innovative practices, showcase campus initiatives, academic leadership, original research, and related topics. 

Editorial Process

Submissions will first go to an editor for screening for journal fit and quality.  If the editor feels that a submission is not a good fit for the journal, a decision will be communicated to the primary author within 2 weeks.  If the editor approves for peer review, the submission will be forwarded for peer review by two experts in the field.  We strive to have a first decision on manuscripts within 60 days of initial submission. 

Open Access and Copyright

This journal follows a subscribe to open access. This means that each year, the journal solicits member subscribers from both individuals and institutions. Once a specific membership threshold is met, the journal is open access. Members will always receive access to the journal. This is to pay for annual operating expenses while supporting open access. 

Authors retain copyright under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction provided the original work is properly cited.

Manuscript Types Accepted

• Original Research Articles (max 20 pages)
  
• Practice/Program Descriptions (max 15 pages)
  
• Theoretical/Conceptual Papers (max 10 pages)
  
• Innovations in Education (max 10 pages)
  
• Perspectives/Commentaries (3-5 pages)
  
• Voices from the Academy (flexible, 2-5 pages)
• Student/Capstone Corner (max 15 pages)
• Continuing Education Article (flexible)

Original Research Articles (up to 20 pages)

These articles present rigorous, original empirical research that advances understanding of health, function, and participation in post-secondary settings. Submissions should include clearly stated research questions, methodology, results, and implications. Research may be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods and must demonstrate relevance to campus life, inclusive learning, wellness, or student, faculty, or staff engagement.

Practice and Program Descriptions (up to 15 pages)

This section highlights applied, evidence-informed practices or programs that enhance access, engagement, wellness, or participation within college or university communities. These papers should describe context, implementation, outcomes (if available), and lessons learned. Contributions from areas such as student affairs, counseling, health services, faculty development, disability services, academic programs, etc. are welcomed.

Theoretical and Conceptual Papers (up to 10 pages)

These manuscripts explore emerging or established frameworks that shape understanding of academic life and participation in post-secondary settings. Authors may propose new models, synthesize literature across disciplines, or critique existing paradigms through a scholarly lens. Papers should be grounded in literature and connect to the journal’s focus on inclusive, health-promoting campus environments.

Innovations in Education (up to 10 pages)

Focused on educational design and delivery, this section features innovations that support diverse learners and promote universal design for learning, inclusive pedagogy, or health-related curricular models. Manuscripts may describe new teaching strategies, course redesigns, technology integration, or interprofessional educational approaches.

Perspectives and Commentaries (3–5 pages)

These shorter essays offer scholarly reflections, critical opinions, or position pieces on timely topics related to academic life, wellness, or engagement. This category provides space for thoughtful discussion and debate, with an emphasis on diverse disciplinary or professional perspectives.

Voices from the Academy (Ideas, Innovations, and Thought Sharing) (Flexible: 2–5 pages)

This emerging section invites informal yet insightful contributions from practitioners, educators, and campus leaders. Submissions may include novel ideas, pilot projects, lessons learned, reflective narratives, or creative approaches to improving the student, staff, or faculty experience. This space encourages cross-disciplinary dialogue and innovation in practice, especially from those working in new or underexplored areas.

Student/Capstone Corner (up to 15 pages)

This section features scholarly work led by students, including capstone projects, honors theses, or independent studies that contribute to the understanding of health, function, and participation in post-secondary environments. Submissions should demonstrate academic rigor and relevance to the journal’s mission, with clearly articulated context, inquiry methods (as applicable), and implications for practice, policy, or further research. Collaborative work with faculty mentors or community partners is welcome, and interdisciplinary submissions are especially encouraged.

Continuing Education Article

Continuing Education (CE) articles are scholarly, evidence-informed manuscripts designed to support professional learning and application across disciplines involved in post-secondary environments. These articles translate current research and theory into actionable strategies that enhance access, participation, and well-being in campus settings.

Submissions must include:

• Clearly defined learning objectives (typically 2–4)
• A literature-based foundation with practical implications
• Content relevant to diverse campus roles (e.g., occupational therapy, counseling, student affairs, faculty, administration)
• A 10-question multiple-choice learning assessment that evaluates key takeaways from the article

Articles that include case examples, implementation guidance, or interprofessional perspectives are especially encouraged. Accepted articles may be used by readers for continuing education or credentialing purposes within their respective professions.

General Submission Requirements

• All submissions must be original, unpublished work and not under review elsewhere.
  
• Manuscripts should be written in clear, professional English and adhere to APA Style, 7th Edition.
  
• Submissions must be formatted as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).
• Manuscripts must be double-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins.

Title Page Requirements

A separate title page should include the following:

• Full manuscript title
  
• Full names of all authors, including degrees (e.g., OTD, PhD, OTR/L)
  
• Institutional affiliations for each author
  
• Corresponding author contact information (email, mailing address)
  
• Acknowledgments (if applicable)
  
• Funding sources and/or conflicts of interest (if applicable)
  
• A statement confirming ethical approval (for studies involving human subjects)
  
  

Abstract and Keywords

• A structured abstract (max 250 words) must accompany each manuscript.
  
• For original research and review articles, include the following headings:
  • Background, Purpose, Methods, Results, Conclusion.
    
• Include 3–5 keywords relevant to the content, listed below the abstract.
  
  

General Structure for Full-Length Articles

Manuscripts should typically follow this structure, unless otherwise specified:

1. Introduction
   
• Define the problem, purpose of the study, and significance to higher education.
  
2. Literature Review (or integrated into Introduction)
• Summarize relevant literature and identify gaps.
  
3. Methods
   
• Describe participants, setting, design, procedures, data collection, and analysis.
  
4. Results
   
• Present findings clearly, using tables and figures as needed.
  
5. Discussion
   
• Interpret findings, address limitations, and explore implications for education and practice.
  
6. Conclusion
   
• Summarize key takeaways and suggest future directions.
  
7. References
   
• Format all references using APA 7th edition guidelines.
  
  

Optional sections may include:

• Implications for Higher Education
  
• Recommendations for Future Research
  
  

Figures, Tables, and Appendices

• Tables and figures should be placed at the end of the manuscript OR embedded in the text 
• Each should be clearly labeled (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1) and include descriptive titles.
• Use appendices sparingly and only when necessary for clarity or replication.
  
  

Ethical Considerations

• • Research involving human participants must include IRB/ethics board approval.
    
  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest or funding support.
    
  • All authors are expected to adhere to ethical standards.

Questions?

For inquiries about submissions, formatting, or fit for the journal, please contact the editors, Karen Keptner PhD, OTR/L at kkeptner@gmail.com or Brittany Adams OT, OTD, OTR at brittany.adams@wne.edu.