School of Health & Human Sciences
Graduate Programs
Health Sciences
Master of Science in Health Sciences
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Health Sciences is a 36 hour, non-thesis program that can be completed in as little as two years.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the Master of Science in Health Sciences at IU Indianapolis you need to meet the following requirements and submit your application by March 1st:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Cumulative GPA is calculated on courses with grades that are recorded on official university/college transcripts.
- One undergraduate statistics or research methods course with a grade of B or better
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (300 to 500 words) of academic and professional goals and/or reasons for your interest in obtaining a position in the healthcare industry
- Admissions interview
- If applicable, a TOEFL score of
- Paper-based test: 500 or higher
- Computer-based test: 213 or higher
- Internet-based test: 79 or higher
No student will be permitted to work toward a degree without first being admitted to the Master of Science program.
Prior Course Work Applied Toward Degree Requirements
Upon the recommendation of the Health Sciences department chair and with the approval of the School of Health and Human Sciences Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee, up to 8 credit hours of graduate work may be transferred in partial fulfillment of degree requirements. No course may be transferred from another institution unless the course was completed with a grade of B or higher within five years before matriculation in the Master of Science degree program.
All application materials are due by March 15th for admission in the Fall Semester.
Curriculum Requirements
- HLSC-H 660: Rehabilitation Theories and Applications (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 661:Theory Application in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 662: Health and Rehabilitation Systems Delivery (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 760: Design and Analysis of Rehabilitation Research (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 670: Research Practicum (3-6 credits)
- HLSC-H 670: Research Practicum (3-6 credits)
- HLSC-H 695: Internship in Health Sciences (3-6 credits)
- HLSC-H 710: Special Topics in Health Sciences (3 credits)
- Electives (9 credits)
- One of the program’s unique features is the ability to customize your curriculum to meet your educational and health career goals. By utilizing a wide range of interdisciplinary electives, you and your mentor will create the best plan of study for you.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Program InformationThe Doctor of Philosophy in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an interdisciplinary program ideal for those interested in research rehabilitation and health sciences. Graduates of the program will acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of current trends and issues, and the problem-solving skills that will prepare them to assume leadership roles in practice and educational settings.
Program Requirements
The minimum requirements for the PhD are 90 credit hours of advanced study, of which up to 30 credit hours may be transferred from a student’s post-baccalaureate degree of study, as approved by the Advisory Committee and the University Graduate School.
The 90 credit hours for the PhD are distributed among the following four content areas:
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Core Curriculum – 15 credit hours
- Research – 21 credit hours
- Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Concentration – 30 credit hours
- Electives – 6 credit hours
- Dissertation – 18 credit hours
Students enrolled in the PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences have a total of seven years from the date of enrollment to complete the PhD. Students have five years from the date of enrollment to complete the qualifying project. Students not meeting either deadline will be terminated from the program. Exceptions to these timelines may be granted by the program faculty on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances. It is the student’s responsibility to document the extenuating circumstances and request the exception.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible to apply for the Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at IU Indianapolis you need to meet the following requirements:
- Completion of a post-baccalaureate degree in health and rehabilitation sciences or in a related healthcare discipline from an accredited institution, or completion of a baccalaureate degree with professional experience.
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Cumulative GPA is calculated on courses with grades that are recorded on official university/college transcripts.
- Résumé or curriculum vitae
- 3 letters of recommendation
- A personal statement (300 to 500 words) addressing the following:
- Preparation for research (examples include coursework in research, engagement in research projects or grants, and completion of a master’s degree thesis)
- Intended research focus
- Learning objectives
- Leadership potential
- GRE Scores: Optional
- Admissions interview
- If applicable, a TOEFL score of
- Paper-based test: 500 or higher
- Computer-based test: 213 or higher
- Internet-based test: 79 or higher
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Core Curriculum (15 credits)
- HLSC-H 660: Rehabilitation Theories and Applications (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 661:Theory Application in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 662: Health and Rehabilitation Systems Delivery (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 664: The Professoriate for Health and Rehabilitation Professionals (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 760: Design and Analysis of Rehabilitation Research (3 credits)
Research (21 credits)
- GRAD-N 802: Techniques for Effective Grant Writing (3 credits)
- NURS-W 540: Writing for Publication (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 670: Research Practicum (6 credits)
- GRAD-G 504: Intro to Research Ethics (3 credits)
Research design and statistics electives (determined by advisory committee)
Concentration (30 credits)
Electives (6 credits)
Dissertation (18 credits)
Qualifying Project
Near, and usually in, the last semester of course work, students will complete a qualification project in health and rehabilitation sciences, prepared by the student's Advisory Committee and consisting of two components: an original research project and public defense. The project is to be original research that includes new data and is intended as a preliminary, independent project to the dissertation. The project is to be developed in consultation with the student's advisor and advisory committee and may overlap with other courses (e.g. independent study), course requirements, or projects. The project defense will be conducted in two parts: a draft manuscript using a format (e.g., APA or AMA) approved by the advisory committee and an oral, public defense of the project to the advisory committee, similar in style to a conference proceeding. Only students who successfully defend the project may continue in the program. Students failing the initial defense may redefend the project one time. The second defense must occur within six months of the original defense. Students successfully completing the qualifying project will be advanced to doctoral candidacy and may enroll in dissertation level credit.
Dual Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy/ Doctor of Philosophy in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Program Information
The program consists of completion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree with the ability to transfer 30 credit hours of the professional doctoral coursework to fulfill the PhD concentration requirements
Program Requirements
The program consists of a minimum of 110 credit hours for the Doctor of Physical Therapy and a minimum of 90 credit hours for the PhD degree.
Admission Requirements
In order to be accepted into our Doctor of Physical Therapy/ Doctor of Philosophy in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences dual degree program, you must meet and complete the admission requirements for both programs established for the Graduate School, the School of Health and Human Sciences, and when applicable, the Office of International Affairs. New students may apply to both programs simultaneously; students currently in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program may apply anytime during their first or second year.
To be eligible to apply for the Dual Doctor of Physical Therapy and Ph.D. degree program you need to meet all the following requirements:
- Must be enrolled in the DPT program as a 1st or 2nd-year student.
- To determine dual-degree eligibility, submit a pre-application (see below).
- Pre-applications are accepted May 1st through August 15th and include a statement of interest, CV, and potential lab interests.
Students should expect a timeline of 3-5 years post- DPT.
Curriculum Requirements
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Core Curriculum (15 credits)
- HLSC-H 660: Rehabilitation Theories and Applications (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 661:Theory Application in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 662: Health and Rehabilitation Systems Delivery (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 664: The Professoriate for Health and Rehabilitation Professionals (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 760: Design and Analysis of Rehabilitation Research (3 credits)
Research (21 credits)
- GRAD-N 802: Techniques for Effective Grant Writing (3 credits)
- NURS-W 540: Writing for Publication (3 credits)
- HLSC-H 670: Research Practicum (6 credits)
- GRAD-G 504: Intro to Research Ethics (3 credits)
- Research design and statistics electives (determined by advisory committee) (6 credits)
Concentration (30 credits)
Electives (6 credits)
Dissertation (18 credits)
