Program Overview

Rehabilitation Science and Technology, MS

The MS in Rehabilitation Science and Technology is a flexible 30-credit graduate program in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology. It prepares students for an evolving job market within the rehabilitation, special education-related services, disability-related services, and various occupational health, safety, and performance-focused domains. The program also provides a unique background and experience for students seeking to apply to graduate professional degree programs and/or advanced research-based graduate studies.

MS-RST Overview

The MS-RST program consists of four tracks, each with specific foci: Assistive Technology and Accessible Design (ATAD), Human Factors Innovations (HFI), Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP), and Rehabilitation Sciences (RS). Depending on the student's program of study and faculty advisor, the MS-RST program can be completed either in face-to-face or hybrid format and can culminate in a research-based thesis, or in a non-thesis-based capstone/design project experience.

MS-RST Tracks

• Assistive Technology and Accessible Design (ATAD): The assistive technology and accessible design (ATAD) track is designed for students who wish to work in various settings, including rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, consulting firms, and school systems.
• Human Factors Innovations (HFI): The Human Factors (HFI) track is designed for students who wish to gain advanced knowledge and skills aimed at helping individuals achieve peak occupational health and performance through the interaction of human factors and human function.
• Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP): The Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) track is designed for students who wish to help various performers (e.g., sport, performing arts, military) to develop and use various mental, life, and self-regulatory skills with a goal to optimize performance, enjoyment, and personal development.
• Rehabilitation Sciences (RS): The Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) track is designed for students who wish to gain advanced knowledge in biomechanical, physiological, and/or psychological factors that contribute to prevention and rehabilitation of injury.

Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program. Students must review the application deadline chart for specific programs.

Admission

Students must meet the general requirements of admission to a graduate program at UWM, which include:

• A baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited institution.
• Proficiency in the English language.
• A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Additional admission requirements include:

• Transcripts from all university degrees/coursework.
• Reasons Statement that includes a rationale and career goals.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons most knowledgeable about the applicant's recent academic and work experiences.
• Depending on the MS-RST track and faculty advisor, GRE scores may be requested by the Program.

Credits and Courses

Prerequisites or Support Courses

• Statistics (3 credits)
• Laboratory-based Natural Sciences (4 credits)
• Psychology (required for the Sport and Performance Psychology [SPP] and Human Factors Innovation [HFI] tracks) or Sociology (3 credits)

Thesis Students

• Core Courses (12 credits)
  • Select two of the following courses (6 credits)
    • ED PSY 624G: Statistical Methods for Professionals and Practitioners I
    • KIN 703: Research Methods in Kinesiology
    • NURS 882: Qualitative Methods in Health Research
    • NURS 883: Quantitative Methods in Health Research
    • OCCTHPY 542: Evidence for Practice II
    • OCCTHPY 742: Single Case Experimental Design
    • PH 729: Survey Research Methods in Public Health
    • PRPP 556G: Research Methods and Statistics in Sport and Performance Psychology
  • Select one of the following courses (3 credits)
    • ATRAIN 799: Independent Study II
    • COMSDIS 799: Independent Studies
    • OCCTHPY 799: Independent Study II
    • PRPP 799: Independent Study II
    • PT 799: Independent Reading
  • Select one of the following courses (3 credits)
    • ATRAIN 890: Research and Thesis
    • COMSDIS 790: Research and Thesis
    • OCCTHPY 890: Research and Thesis
    • PRPP 890: Research and Thesis
• Foundation Courses (6 credits)
  • PRPP 553G: Psychological Considerations for Optimizing Health & Performance (3 credits)
  • PT 723: Physiological Regulation in Exertion & Disease (3 credits)
• Specialization Courses (minimum of 12 credits selected from one area)
  • Assistive Technology and Accessible Design (ATAD)
    • OCCTHPY 620: Introduction to Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology
    • OCCTHPY 625: Design and Disability
    • OCCTHPY 760: Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology
  • Human Factors Innovations (HFI)
    • OCCTHPY 522: Health, Performance, & Injury Monitoring in Organizations
    • OCCTHPY 592: Innovative Solutions in Human Factors and Performance
  • Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP)
    • PRPP 551G: Psychology of Injury: Prevention, Rehabilitation & Return to Participation
    • PRPP 552G: Psychological Interventions and Strategies in Sport and Performance
  • Rehabilitation Sciences (RS)
    • 12 credits of courses selected in collaboration with faculty advisor

Non-Thesis Students

• Core Courses (6 credits)
  • Select one of the following courses (3 credits)
    • ED PSY 624G: Statistical Methods for Professionals and Practitioners I
    • KIN 703: Research Methods in Kinesiology
    • NURS 882: Qualitative Methods in Health Research
    • NURS 883: Quantitative Methods in Health Research
    • OCCTHPY 542: Evidence for Practice II
    • OCCTHPY 742: Single Case Experimental Design
    • PH 729: Survey Research Methods in Public Health
    • PRPP 556G: Research Methods and Statistics in Sport and Performance Psychology
  • Select one of the following courses (3 credits)
    • OCCTHPY 790: Design Project
    • PRPP 895: Capstone
• Foundation Courses (6 credits)
  • PRPP 553G: Psychological Considerations for Optimizing Health & Performance (3 credits)
  • PT 723: Physiological Regulation in Exertion & Disease (3 credits)
• Specialization Courses (minimum of 18 credits selected from one area)
  • Assistive Technology and Accessible Design (ATAD)
    • OCCTHPY 620: Introduction to Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology
    • OCCTHPY 625: Design and Disability
    • OCCTHPY 760: Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology
  • Human Factors Innovations (HFI)
    • OCCTHPY 522: Health, Performance, & Injury Monitoring in Organizations
    • OCCTHPY 592: Innovative Solutions in Human Factors and Performance
  • Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP)
    • PRPP 551G: Psychology of Injury: Prevention, Rehabilitation & Return to Participation
    • PRPP 552G: Psychological Interventions and Strategies in Sport and Performance
  • Rehabilitation Sciences (RS)
    • 18 credits of courses selected in collaboration with faculty advisor

Additional Requirements

Major Professor as Advisor

The Graduate School requires that each student have a major professor to advise and approve the program of study. Students are assigned a faculty advisor upon acceptance to the program.

Time Limit

The student must complete all degree requirements within seven (7) years of initial enrollment.

Rehabilitation Science and Technology MS Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MS in Rehabilitation Science and Technology, the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of existing conceptual, philosophical, theoretical, empirical, and/or professional practice knowledge to promote human health, performance, and/or quality of life.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of methods and techniques applicable to their own research and/or professional practice.
3. Demonstrate originality and critical understanding on how to apply concepts, frameworks, and research evidence to enhance human health, performance, and/or quality of life.
4. Demonstrate their ability to exercise self-initiative, personal responsibility, and decision-making skills that are consistent with their professional competencies and ethical guidelines.
5. Demonstrate their ability for independent learning and to advance their knowledge and skills beyond graduation.

In doing so, the students can:

1. Explain how various biopsychosocial and sociotechnical systems interact to influence human health, performance, and/or quality of life.
2. Compare and contrast how various philosophical, theoretical, and professional practice frameworks explain human health, performance, and/or quality of life.
3. Analyze and apply systems and frameworks, concepts, and research evidence to enhance human health, performance, and/or quality of life.
4. Collaborate with other professionals using innovative methods, interventions/approaches, evaluations, and assessments, to promote human health, performance, and/or quality of life across the lifespan.