Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science

The PhD Program in Rehabilitation Science is designed to prepare suitably qualified individuals for leadership positions in research and academia. A major focus of the program is to advance the science of medical rehabilitation, and to elucidate the scientific basis for the procedures and processes used in clinical practice. Areas of research emphasis include human and animal studies designed to (1) promote an understanding of the pathophysiology of injury, disease, functional impairment, and associated disabilities, and (2) espouse the rationale for therapies designed to alleviate impaired human function and related physical and mental disabilities.

Admission Requirements: The program is open to persons with a B.S. degree or its equivalent in any of the relevant sciences. Applicants to the program do not have to be physical therapists; however, each candidate is encouraged to have a broad background in biological sciences (including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology), calculus and statistics. Other admission requirements include:

1. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale in the last 60 credit hours of course work.
2. A satisfactory score in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), obtained within the previous five years.
3. A satisfactory score in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), obtained within the previous two years (for international applicants only - see guidelines for TOEFL).
4. Three letters of reference from persons familiar with the applicant's professional and/or academic abilities.
5. A curriculum vitae detailing work history, formal education, continuing education, licensing and certification, professional organizations, honors and awards, publications, presentations, grants, etc.
6. One copy of transcript from each college attended.
7. A written educational plan describing the applicant's goal(s) and objective(s).

Requirements: In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the basic requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Rehabilitation Science include the following:

1. Successful completion of a minimum of 51 credit hours of studies, comprising 21 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of foreign language or other research skills (FLORS), 12 credit hours of doctoral dissertation research, and six credit hours of cognate/elective courses.
2. Demonstration of competence in the core areas of study and FLORS, by successfully completing one or more parts of a comprehensive examination that qualifies the student for candidacy for the Ph.D.
3. Satisfactory completion of a dissertation based on an original research work.
4. Successful oral presentation and defense of the dissertation.

It is expected that the equivalent of at least three years of full-time study will be needed to fulfil these requirements.

DPT/PhD Joint Degree Program