Curriculum

PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences

How to Apply
PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences

The 48-credit PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences prepares you to be a scientist-practitioner blending research, theory, and techniques from a range of health fields in order to enhance human wellbeing across the lifespan. Through collaborative mentorship, rigorous scientific instruction, and comprehensive research training, you’ll emerge as innovative and responsive clinicians with a holistic, integrative, and interdisciplinary approach to health and wellbeing.

Core Course Sequence

You’ll take coursework in core research methods, including research design and methodology and statistical analysis, complemented by fundamental professional training in bioethics, grant writing, and patient care management. Following this foundational training, you’ll take further elective classes in your content area of interest, culminating in a research colloquium and dissertation. 

Program Requirements

Course Title Credits
Core Research Methods Courses
APSY-GE 3073Research Design and Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences I3
APSTA-GE 2001Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I3
APSTA-GE 2002Applied Linear Modeling for the Behavioral and Social Sciences3
Qualitative Research Elective3
Quantitative/Qualitative Research Methods
Select 6 credits by advisement6
Content Area
REHAB-GE 3005Transdisciplinary Patient Based Managment3
Bioethics Elective3
CSCD-GE 3022Grant Writing for Health Fields2
Electives
Select 16 credits from the following programs by interest and advisement:16
Applied Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Music and Performing Arts Professions, Art and Art Professions, Communicative Sciences and Disorders, and Nutrition and Food Studies
Research Colloquium
REHAB-GE 3006Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (taken three times, for a total of 3 credits)1
Dissertation Proposal Seminar
RESCH-GE 3001Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
Total Credits48

Additional Program Requirements

Candidacy Paper

Students complete one candidacy paper designed to be submitted for a peer-reviewed research journal. The paper is conducted, written, and orally defended by the student under faculty mentor guidance.

Conference Presentation

Students must write and submit an abstract to a conference presentation (poster or oral, internal or external).

Grant Writing

Students must write and submit a grant proposal for an internal or external grant mechanism to support pilot data or initial proposal work. The requirement is for at least one submission (not for being awarded the grant).

Teaching

Students must complete a teaching experience ranging from guest lectures to teaching a full course as instructor of record.

Dissertation

In the final years of the degree, students develop, write, and defend a dissertation proposal and ultimately a dissertation. The dissertation is supervised by a committee of 4 mentors, and reflects the student’s novel ideas and empirical contribution to the field. There are two possible formats for the dissertation: the three-paper format and the traditional ‘monograph’ format. Students are expected to work closely with their committee to determine which option is the most appropriate. The thesis proposal and dissertation will be reviewed by a committee and readers, both in written format and in an oral defense.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
APSY-GE 3073 Research Design and Methodology in the Behavioral Sciences I 3
APSTA-GE 2001 Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences I 3
REHAB-GE 3006 Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar (taken three times for 1 credit, subsequently for 0-credits) 1
Bioethics Elective 3
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
APSTA-GE 2002 Applied Linear Modeling for the Behavioral and Social Sciences 3
Qualitative Research Elective 3
Research Methods/Design 3
REHAB-GE 3006 Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar 1
Elective 1
 Credits10
3rd Semester/Term
Research Methods/Design 3
REHAB-GE 3005 Transdisciplinary Patient Based Managment 3
CSCD-GE 3022 Grant Writing for Health Fields 2
REHAB-GE 3006 Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar 1
 Credits9
4th Semester/Term
Dissertation-related Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits) 6
Elective 3
REHAB-GE 3006 Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar 1
 Credits9
5th Semester/Term
Dissertation-related Course 2
REHAB-GE 3006 Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar 1
RESCH-GE 3001 Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
 Credits5
6th Semester/Term
REHAB-GE 3006 Rehabilitation Sciences Research Seminar 1
Dissertation-related Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits) 6
 Credits6
 Total Credits48

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