Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science

The doctorate in rehabilitation science program is designed to prepare outstanding leaders who advance innovative interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation science. A major focus of the program is to advance the science of rehabilitation and to elucidate the scientific basis for the procedures and processes used in clinical practice.

Overview

Areas of research emphasis include human and animal studies designed to promote an understanding of the pathophysiology of injury, disease, functional impairment, and associated disabilities, and to espouse the rationale for therapies designed to alleviate impaired human function and related physical and mental disabilities.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required and must be documented by submission of official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. A master's or other advanced degree is preferable.
• Official transcripts for all courses taken at any institution are also required.
• Applicants are not required to be physical therapists or possess a degree in physical therapy.
• Applicants are encouraged to have a broad background in biological sciences, including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, exercise science, biochemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology, as well as statistics.
• Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative grade-point average requirement.
• Applicants must possess a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for his or her bachelor's degree program.
• Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the minimum English proficiency requirement.
• A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae is required and must include information on the applicant's educational, professional, and research background.
• In the online application, a purpose of study will be submitted that provides a succinct explanation of relevant background information and experience indicated on the resume/curriculum vitae.
• Three letters of recommendation are required. The recommendations should come from either a faculty member, advisor, employer or other person who is familiar with the applicant's work and character and can comment meaningfully on the applicant’s performance in an academic and professional setting.

Degree Requirements

• Degree requirements are normally completed within 4-5 years of admission to the program although a maximum of 8 years is allowed.
• Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all KU graduate coursework.
• Successful completion of the University’s Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship requirement prior to the semester the Oral Comprehensive Examination is scheduled.
• Successful completion of the Residence Requirement prior to the semester the Oral Comprehensive Examination is scheduled.
• Successful completion of the Oral Comprehensive Examination.
• Successful completion of the Post-Comprehensive Enrollment requirement.
• Enrollment in a minimum of one (1) credit hour of REHS 990 Dissertation in Rehabilitation Science the semester the student will defend dissertation and graduate.
• Successful completion of the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense).
• Successful Dissertation Submission and Publication (according to Office of Graduate Studies policy).
• Successful completion of the following core courses:
  • REHS 803: Research Observations
  • REHS 805: Seminar in Rehabilitation Science
  • REHS 856: Research Design and Methods I
  • REHS 857: Research Design and Methods II
  • REHS 862: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Rehabilitation
  • REHS 864: Introduction to Rehabilitation Science
  • REHS 866: Developing Research Aims in Rehabilitation Science
  • REHS 870: Teaching Practicum
  • REHS 873: Research Practicum
  • REHS 889: Grant Writing
  • REHS 980: Graduate Research
  • NRSG 870: Designing a Student Learning Environment
• Successful completion of a minimum of 8 credit hours of research tools courses as determined in consultation with the student's academic advisor.
• Successful completion of a minimum of 6 credit hours of elective courses as determined in consultation with the student's academic advisor.
• Successful completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of REHS 990 Dissertation in Rehabilitation Science.

Technical Standards

The graduate of this program must have the knowledge and skills to function in a broad variety of clinical, research, academic and industrial settings. The following technical standards, in conjunction with the academic standards, are requirements for admission, retention, and graduation.

1. Essential Observational Requirements:

• Observe and perform laboratory and/or clinical tests in which human subjects, chemical, and/or biological are tested for their physical attributes.
• Read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and on video.
• Perform comparative observations of text, movement, shapes, graphs, colors etc.

2. Essential Movement Requirements:

• Move freely and safely about a laboratory and clinic.
• Lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
• Travel to numerous laboratory/clinical sites.
• Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work.
• Control equipment and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures.
• Manipulate a computer keyboard.

3. Essential Communication Requirements:

• Comprehend technical and professional materials.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Effectively, confidently, and sensitively converse with human research subjects.
• Communicate effectively and efficiently with faculty members, fellow students, staff, and other members of research and health care community.

4. Essential Intellectual Requirements:

• Possess these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculations, problem solving, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and criticism.
• Be able to exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.

5. Essential Behavioral Requirements:

• Be able to manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.
• Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment.
• Be able to provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of heavy workloads, task-related uncertainty, emergent demands, and a distracting environment.
• Be flexible and creative and adapt to professional and technical change.
• Recognize potentially hazardous material, equipment, and situations and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to human subjects, self, and other individuals.
• Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of health care and research professionals.
• Be honest, compassionate, ethical, and responsible. The student must be forthright about errors or uncertainty. The student must be able to critically evaluate their own performance, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve. The student must be able to evaluate the performance of fellow students and tactfully offer constructive comments.

Typical Plan of Study

Year 1

• Fall: REHS 803, REHS 805, REHS 856, REHS 864, REHS 970, BIOS 714
• Spring: REHS 803 or 873, REHS 805, REHS 857, REHS 862, BIOS 720
• Summer: REHS 866, REHS 873 or 980 Year 2
• Fall: REHS 805, REHS 889, REHS 980, PRVM 853
• Spring: REHS 805, REHS 887, REHS 980
• Summer: REHS 980 Year 3
• Fall: REHS 870, REHS 980, NRSG 870
• Spring: REHS 883, REHS 980
• Summer: REHS 980, Oral Comprehensive Examination Year 4
• Fall: REHS 990
• Spring: REHS 990
• Summer: REHS 990 Year 5
• Fall: REHS 990
• Spring: REHS 990, Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense)