Program Overview

Program Overview

The Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science program is an interdisciplinary program offered by The Department of Occupational Therapy and The Department of Physical Therapy at the School of Health Professions. This program is designed to prepare graduates to become academicians, scholars, scientists, and researchers in education, healthcare, industry, and government institutions, as well as consultants to individuals, communities, and governments.

Program Goals

The goal of the program is to prepare graduates to:

• Design and implement research studies that contribute to the knowledge base of rehabilitation science
• Design and deliver educational courses related to rehabilitation
• Translate innovative rehabilitation research findings into practice to advance the field of rehabilitation science

Application Procedure

To apply, students must:

• Complete and submit the online Graduate School application
• Submit the application fee payment (Domestic: $50.00)
• Request one official transcript to be mailed by the issuing institution to the UAB Graduate School
• Provide three letters of recommendation

Minimum Requirements for Admission

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in occupational or physical therapy, engineering, exercise science, neuroscience, medicine, nursing, or other health-related professions
• Recommended minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 in all previous coursework
• Three strong evaluation references, with at least one from a research lab mentor and one from an academic source
• Written essay providing evidence of appropriate goals of study, professional growth, and commitment to research
• Interview with faculty showing passion and commitment to research and professional growth in Rehabilitation Science

Typical Program

The program typically takes four years to complete and includes:

• First Year: Foundation courses in rehabilitation science, research design, and measurement
• Second Year: Advanced courses in rehabilitation science, research methods, and statistical methodology
• Third Year: Dissertation proposal and research
• Fourth Year: Dissertation research and defense

Courses

The program includes a variety of courses, such as:

• RHB 500: Introduction to Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 575: Special Topics in Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 590: Quantitative Biomechanics of Injury and Rehabilitation
• RHB 704: Analysis of Human Movement for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 706: Neuroscience I for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 707: Neuroscience II for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 720: Pathology and Pharmacology for Movement Disorders I for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 721: Pathology and Pharmacology for Movement Disorders II for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 730: Essentials of Human Physiology for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 731: Human Performance Physiology for Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 740: Teaching Practicum
• RHB 746: Rehabilitation Science Journal Club
• RHB 770: Systematic Review Protocol Development
• RHB 775: Special Topics in Rehabilitation Sciences
• RHB 780: Principles of Rehabilitation Science: Movement Science
• RHB 781: Principles of Rehabilitation Science: Exercise Science
• RHB 782: Principles of Rehabilitation Science: Occupation Science
• RHB 783: Research Design/Measurement in Rehab Sci
• RHB 784: Res Design/Measure Rehab Sc II
• RHB 785: Principles of Behavior Change in Rehabilitation Science
• RHB 789: Rehab Science Seminar
• RHB 795: Rehabilitation Science Research Proposal
• RHB 798: Non-Dissertation Research
• RHB 799: Dissertation Research

Faculty

The program faculty includes:

• Barstow, Elizabeth A.
• Buford, Tom
• Dos Anjos, Sarah
• Eberhardt, Alan
• Han, Areum
• Hurt, Christopher
• Jenkins, Gavin
• Jones, Raymond
• Lai, Byron
• Lein, Donald
• Lowman, John
• Malone, Laurie
• McGregor, Keith
• Morris, David
• Parrish, Ashley
• Rimmer, James
• Wingo, Brooks
• Woods, LaDarius
• Wylie, Elizabeth
• Yohannes, Abebaw
• Yuen, Hon

Research Areas

The program faculty have expertise in various research areas, including:

• Rehabilitation science
• Movement science
• Exercise science
• Occupation science
• Neuroscience
• Pathology and pharmacology
• Human physiology
• Human performance physiology
• Teaching and learning
• Systematic review protocol development
• Special topics in rehabilitation sciences
• Principles of behavior change in rehabilitation science
• Rehabilitation science research proposal
• Non-dissertation research
• Dissertation research