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Degree Objective

To develop scholars who, through their leadership and original research, will contribute to the knowledge base of health and rehabilitation sciences. Graduates will be able to be employed in universities, health care facilities and industries that focus on teaching others and advancing knowledge in health and rehabilitation.

Admissions Policy

Requirements, in addition to those of the Graduate School, include:

  • Completion of a post-baccalaureate degree in health and rehabilitation sciences or in a related health care discipline, or completion of a baccalaureate degree with professional experience
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • A 300-500 word personal statement of learning objectives, research interest, and leadership potential
  • Competitive scores on the verbal and quantitative sections, and a score of 3.5 or better on the analytical writing section of the GRE completed within 5 years before matriculation into the Ph.D. program. Successful completion of a post graduate degree will waive the matriculation time period
  • Interview

A maximum of 30 semester credits may be transferred from the student's post-baccalaureate course work as approved by the student's Advisory Committee and the University Graduate School. No course may be transferred from another institution unless the course was completed with a grade of "B" or higher.

Any exceptions to the admissions policies must be requested in writing to the Ph.D. Admissions Committee.

Curriculum Requirements

The minimum requirements for the Ph.D. are 90 credit hours of advanced study, of which 30 semester credits may be transferred from the student's post-baccalaureate degree of study, as approved by the student's Advisory Committee and the University Graduate School.

The credits for the Ph.D. are distributed in the following categories:

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Core Curriculum (12 credits in required courses)
W660 Rehabilitation Theories and Applications 3 cr.
W661 Theories of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention 3 cr.
W662 Rehabilitation Services in Healthcare Systems and Delivery 3 cr.
W672 Teaching Practicum within area of specialization 3 cr.

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration (30 credits)

Students will select one of the three areas of concentration identified by the Institute of Medicine.

Students must declare an area of concentration and identify appropriate coursework within the SHRS and across campus in consultation with their Advisory Committee. Areas of concentration include:

  • Pathophysiology and Impairment Research
  • Functional Limitations/Functional Participation Research
  • Health Services Research
Research Core (42 credits)
GRAD-G505 The Responsible Code of Research 1 cr.
GRAD-N802 Techniques of Effective Grant Writing 3 cr.
NURS-W540 Writing for Publication 3 cr.
SHRS-W670 Research Practicum within concentration 6 cr.
Statistics and Research Design courses
(courses must be approved by the student's
Advisory Committee as part of the student's plan of study)
9 cr.
Dissertation 20 cr.

Electives (6 credits) 

Six (6) credit hours of elective course work at the graduate level will be taken as part of the student’s plan of study.  These courses must be approved by the student’s Advisory Committee and should be chosen to enhance the focus of the student’s area of concentration in health and rehabilitation sciences.

Comprehensive Examination

Near, and usually in, the last semester of course work, students will be required to take a comprehensive written qualification examination in health and rehabilitation sciences, prepared by the student's Advisory Committee. Only students who pass the exam may continue in the program. Students may be able to retake the examination one time if they fail to pass the first time. The retake must occur within six months of the original examination.