Program Overview

PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences

The 48-credit PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences prepares students to be scientist-practitioners, blending research, theory, and techniques from a range of health fields to enhance human wellbeing across the lifespan. Through collaborative mentorship, rigorous scientific instruction, and comprehensive research training, students emerge as innovative and responsive clinicians with a holistic, integrative, and interdisciplinary approach to health and wellbeing.

Core Course Sequence

Students take coursework in core research methods, including research design and methodology and statistical analysis, complemented by fundamental professional training in bioethics, grant writing, and patient care management. Following this foundational training, students take further elective classes in their content area of interest, culminating in a research colloquium and dissertation.

Curricular Requirements

• Program Requirements:
  • Course List:
    • Core Research Methods Courses:
      • APSY-GE 3073: Research Design and Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences I (3 credits)
      • APSTA-GE 2001: Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I (3 credits)
      • APSTA-GE 2002: Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II (2 credits)
      • Qualitative Research Elective (3 credits)
      • Quantitative/Qualitative Research Methods: Select 7 credits by advisement (7 credits)
    • Content Area:
      • REHAB-GE 3005: Transdisciplinary Patient Based Managment (3 credits)
      • Bioethics Elective (3 credits)
      • Grant Writing in the Health Fields (2 credits)
    • Electives: Select 16 credits from the following programs by interest and advisement:
      • Applied Psychology
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Physical Therapy
      • Music and Performing Arts Professions
      • Art and Art Professions
      • Communicative Sciences and Disorders
      • Nutrition and Food Studies
    • Research Colloquium:
      • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (taken three times, for a total of 3 credits) (1 credit)
    • Dissertation Proposal Seminar:
      • RESCH-GE 3001: Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits)
  • Total Credits: 48

Sample Plan of Study

• Sample Plan of Study:
  • Plan of Study Grid: 1st Semester/Term:
    • APSY-GE 3073: Research Design and Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences I (3 credits)
    • APSTA-GE 2001: Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I (3 credits)
    • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (taken twice for 1 credit, subsequently for 0-credits) (1 credit)
    • Bioethics Elective (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 9 2nd Semester/Term:
    • APSTA-GE 2002: Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II (2 credits)
    • Qualitative Research Elective (3 credits)
    • Research Methods/Design (3 credits)
    • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (1 credit)
    • Elective (1 credit)
    • Total Credits: 9 3rd Semester/Term:
    • Research Methods/Design (3 credits)
    • REHAB-GE 3005: Transdisciplinary Patient Based Managment (3 credits)
    • CSCD-GE 3022: Grant Writing for Health Fields (2 credits)
    • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (1 credit)
    • Total Credits: 9 4th Semester/Term:
    • Dissertation-related Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits) (6 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (1 credit)
    • Total Credits: 9 5th Semester/Term:
    • Dissertation-related Course (2 credits)
    • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (1 credit)
    • RESCH-GE 3001: Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits)
    • Total Credits: 6 6th Semester/Term:
    • REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (1 credit)
    • Dissertation-related Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits) (6 credits)
    • Total Credits: 6
    • Total Credits: 48