Program Overview

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Program Overview

The PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development is an innovative program that unites rehabilitation health professions to develop and test theories that inform clinical practice. The program prepares scientist-practitioners to enhance human performance and quality of life for people with disabilities.

Program Description

This program is designed to prepare students for outstanding and fulfilling academic careers in rehabilitation research and teaching. Collaborative mentorship is a core component, with students involved in ongoing research in collaboration with primary and secondary faculty mentors. The program uses a biopsychosocial paradigm to prepare students to become scientists who study physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions across the developmental continuum in diverse contexts.

Program Features

The program features a rigorous scientific training model that includes advanced courses in quantitative and qualitative research design. The core research methodology component offers cutting-edge applied statistical courses and workshops in methods and measurement. Key program features and benchmarks include 48 units beyond the master's degree, a publishable paper, and a dissertation.

Admissions

Admission to the program requires a résumé/CV, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and proficiency in English. Additional information on school-wide admission can be found on NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website.

Program Requirements

The program requires 48 units beyond the master's degree, including:

• Core Research Methods Courses:
  • APSY-GE 3073: Research Design and Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences I
  • APSTA-GE 2001: Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I
  • APSTA-GE 2002: Statistics for Behav and Social Sciences II
  • Qualitative Research Elective
• Quantitative/Qualitative Research Methods: 7 credits by advisement
• Content Area:
  • REHAB-GE 3005: Transdisciplinary Patient Based Managment
  • Bioethics Elective
  • Grant Writing in the Health Fields
• Electives: 16 credits from the following programs by interest and advisement
• Research Colloquium: REHAB-GE 3006: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (taken three times, for a total of 3 credits)
• Dissertation Proposal Seminar: RESCH-GE 3001: Dissertation Proposal Seminar

Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study is provided, outlining the courses and credits required for each semester.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Demonstrate applied scientific inquiry that is relevant to enhancing human performance and quality of life for persons with disabilities.
2. Develop theories and critically examine integrative, holistic, multi-disciplinary approaches to enhancing the functioning of people with disabilities.
3. Experience successful collaboration with one or more mentors in the development of original interdisciplinary rehabilitation research projects.
4. Analyze theory, research, and health care policy relevant to the promotion of rehabilitative health.
5. Develop a unique area of research leading to externally funded research grants.
6. Investigate and compose significant and original contributions to the rehabilitation field by undertaking original research resulting in scholarly works presented at professional conferences and published in science journals.
7. Analyze research and scholarship in ways that inform practice.

Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages. Additional academic policies can be found on the Steinhardt academic policies page.