Program Overview

Rehabilitation Science PhD Program

Program Overview

Rehabilitation Science is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on human function, disability, and rehabilitation from the perspectives of the health sciences, psychology, engineering, and related fields. The environment is highly collaborative, with strong mentors and state-of-the-art facilities. While in the PhD Program, students develop a wide range of skills, including research and teaching; presenting nationally, learn to write grants and publish manuscripts.

Mission and Vision

• Mission: The mission of the University of Colorado Rehabilitation Science PhD program is to discover and apply knowledge that improves health and well-being. The mission is fulfilled through developing national leaders in rehabilitation research who advance evidence-based practice.
• Vision: The University of Colorado Rehabilitation Science PhD Program will be a premier training program in rehabilitation research with a reputation for excellence in innovation, research, teaching, and community engagement to advance clinical care.

Who We Are

CU Rehabilitation Science is comprised of core and associated faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and research assistants with a broad background, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, psychology, engineering, and public health, all working together to improve the lives of people who live with disabilities.

Program Details

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyze and integrate research findings from specialized disciplines to address complex problems of physical disablement.
2. Design and implement rigorous, innovative, and ethical research that will advance theoretical and/or applied principles of clinical practice in rehabilitation.
3. Disseminate findings of original research using standard scientific oral and written formats.
4. Compete for funding from national agencies to support interdisciplinary research and educational initiatives in rehabilitation.
5. Teach graduate level courses in a selected area of specialization within the field of rehabilitation.
6. Effectively communicate with clinicians, research scientists, and students in the field of rehabilitation and its affiliated disciplines using the common language of disablement.
7. Serve in leadership roles for professional activities that will advance the science and practice of rehabilitation medicine.

Curriculum and Duration

• Students typically require 4-5 years of full-time study to complete the required curriculum.
• The program requires a total of 60 semester credit hours, consisting of 30 semester credit hours of core coursework and 30 semester credit hours of doctoral thesis credit.
• All coursework and a written preliminary examination are completed during the first 2 years of the program.
• Following an oral comprehensive examination, students complete their dissertation research and thesis examination in years 3-5.

Required Core Coursework

• Foundations in Rehabilitation Science (2 semester credit hours)
• Rehabilitation Science Seminar I (1 semester credit hour)
• Rehabilitation Science Seminar II (1 semester credit hour)
• Research Practicum in Rehabilitation Science I (3 semester credit hours)
• Research Practicum in Rehabilitation Science II (3 semester credit hours)
• Professional Skills in Academia (2 semester credit hours)
• Biostatistics I (3-4 semester credit hours)
• Biostatistics II (3-4 semester credit hours)
• Statistics/Data Management Elective (1-3 semester credit hours)
• Scientific Writing (1-2 semester credit hours)
• Research Ethics (1 semester credit hour)
• Specialization Electives (5-8 semester credit hours)
• Doctoral Thesis Credit (30 semester credit hours)

Examinations

Preliminary Exam

At the end of the first year of graduate study, students must complete a written preliminary examination to demonstrate successful progress in the program. The preliminary examination assesses core content knowledge from coursework completed in the first year.

Comprehensive Exam

Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination to advance to candidacy for the PhD. The Comprehensive Examination Committee will administer the student's comprehensive examination no later than January 1 in the third year of enrollment.

Thesis

A student must present his or her research results and plans to the Thesis Advisory Committee at annual meetings after advancing to candidacy. The Program Director, upon recommendation from the Thesis Advisory Committee Chair, must approve the thesis prior to the defense.

Funding and Support

• Stipend: At least $34,000
• Paid Tuition: $8,000-$20,000/yr
• Paid Health Insurance: $50,000/yr
• Other funding opportunities are available, including teaching in various curriculums, participation in meetings and conferences, and clinical opportunities through research and service activities.

Institutional Overview

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a healthcare campus dedicated to fostering collaboration among students, researchers, and clinicians. It consists of three zones: education, research, and clinical care, and is home to six schools and colleges, including the School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Nursing, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Colorado School of Public Health, and Graduate School.

Diversity and Equity

The Rehabilitation Sciences PhD Program is committed to diversity and equity in the recruitment and retention of students, actively seeking persons from underrepresented populations. The campus offers additional resources and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the Office of Disability, Access, and Inclusion, Office of Access and Engagement, LGBTQ+ HUB, Office of Inclusion and Outreach, and Undocumented Student Services.