Doctor of Philosophy in Health & Rehabilitation Science

Curriculum

The Professional Development and Research cores are required to ensure that all students receive a solid foundation in health and rehabilitation science, a teaching practicum, and a comprehensive overview of essential issues in the profession. Students will gain the necessary research skills, including design, methodology, and analysis, to position themselves as leading research scholars in the field.

The concentration area will be designed and supervised by the primary mentor and doctoral committee. This will be based on the student's prior education and experience, specialization area, and research interests.

Post-Baccalaureate

Requires a minimum of 90 credit hours organized as follows:

• Professional Development Core: 14 credits
• Research Core: 19-credit minimum
• Concentration Core: 30 credits in Pathology & Impairment, Functional Limitations, or Health Services
• Dissertation: 12-credit minimum

Year 1, Fall

Year 1, Spring

Year 1, Summer

Year 2, Fall

Year 2, Spring

Year 2, Summer

Year 3, Fall

Year 3, Spring

Year 3, Summer

Year 4, Fall

Year 4, Spring

Year 4, Summer

Post-Master's

Requires a minimum of 53 semester hours organized as follows:

• Professional Development Core: 14 credits
• Research Core: 19 credits
• Concentration Core: 8 credits in Pathology & Impairment, Functional Limitations, or Health Services
• Dissertation: 12-credit minimum

Year 1, Fall

Year 1, Spring

Year 1, Summer

Year 2, Fall

Year 2, Spring

Year 2, Summer

Year 3, Fall

Year 3, Spring

Year 3, Summer

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

1. Mentor Match: A mentor match is a required first step in the PhD application process. Before submitting an application, prospective students must identify and connect with a faculty member whose research interests align with their own and who is willing to serve as the student's primary faculty mentor if admitted. The mentor match process allows prospective applicants to discuss research interests, expectations, and program fit with faculty and to confirm that appropriate mentorship and research resources are available. A successful mentor match indicates mutual interest in pursuing doctoral training together, but does not guarantee admission. Prospective students who need assistance identifying appropriate faculty mentors are encouraged to contact the Program Director for guidance in determining potential mentor matches. Applicants should allow sufficient time for outreach and discussion with potential mentors prior to the application deadline.
2. Complete the MUSC application.
3. Submit all supplemental materials, if not included within the application.
4. Once all materials have been received and verified, your application will be reviewed.
5. If your application is reviewed favorably, you will receive an invitation for an interview.

To determine the likelihood of success, the admissions committee will review:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., DPT, OTD, MS-SLP)
• GPA in prior academic work
• Personal Statement
• Relevant experiences in research in general and in the applicant's specific area of interest
• Letters of recommendation

All information above must be received by the deadline to be considered for admission to the program. Without all materials, applicants will be incomplete. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the progress of their application to ensure that all application materials have been submitted. Applicants that have questions about the status of their applications can reach out to the PhD program Student Service Coordinator. Applications will be reviewed as they are received throughout the admissions cycle. Strong candidates will be invited to interview. Admission offers will be made on a rolling basis. 

Funding decisions are made separate from admissions decisions. Department funding is typically only available for Fall admissions and is competitive. Funding directly from faculty mentors may be available throughout the year. Applicants with questions about funding should reach out to the Program Director. Funding offers may come at the time of an offer of admission or at a later date. 

Spring 2026

We are accepting applications for one funded candidate position beginning January 2027. The selected candidate should have experience in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation within the U.S. healthcare system and will complete the program under the individual mentorship of a dedicated faculty mentor.

Application Requirements

1. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit the MUSC application. For applicants seeking an entry with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study, the Post-Baccalaureate application should be completed. For applicants seeking entry after completion of a graduate degree (e.g., DPT, MHA, MPH, MS-SLP, OTD), the Post-Master’s application should be completed.
   
   • Completed application
   • Official transcripts from all institutions attended: Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from each post-secondary school attended even if no degree was earned.
2. Supplemental Materials: In addition to the application itself, the applicant must complete supplemental materials. These forms are sent via email once you submit your application and should be uploaded to the application portal.
   
   • Letters of recommendation: Submit three (3) recommendations from professionals and/or academics who are familiar with your research aptitude. It is recommended that at least two come from doctorly prepared faculty who have taught you in relevant coursework and can assess the likelihood of your academic and research success in a Ph.D. program.
   • Mentor-Match Agreement Form: This will be provided by potential faculty mentor or Ph.D. program student services coordinator prior to application.
   • Personal statement
   • Resume: Applicants must provide an updated resume detailing relevant academic and professional experience.

All information above must be received by the deadline to be considered for admission to the program. Without all materials, applicants will be incomplete. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the progress of their application to ensure that all application materials have been submitted. Applications will be reviewed as they are received throughout the admissions cycle. Strong candidates will be invited to interview. Funding decisions for Fall semester will be made on April 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by March 1 for strongest consideration. With program director approval, applicants may petition to start in the spring semester; however, no funding is available for spring semester starts.

International Applicants

The Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Science program is able to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. International students admitted into the program will be required to enroll in accordance with federal regulations.

MUSC welcomes international applicants and offers tailored guidance to support you throughout the admission process. View details at International Applicants.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance, or COA, estimates the total educational expenses for an enrollment period. The information below reflects the 2026-27 academic year. The COA includes direct costs, such as tuition and fees, billed by the university, as well as indirect costs you may need to plan for, including housing, food, transportation, books and other personal expenses.

The COA helps determine the maximum amount a student may borrow in an academic year and supports funding-related determinations, such as grants, scholarships, loans and others.

Your actual expenses may be lower than the COA, especially with careful budgeting. MUSC's Office of Student Financial Literacy can help you create a budget that supports your education, personal needs and long-term financial goals.

Post-Baccalaureate

Post-Master's

Scholarships & Aid

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

Competencies

Upon completion of the Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Science program, graduates will be able to:

• Design and implement rigorous research studies that address questions in pathology and impairment, functional limitations, or health services, aligned with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework
• Demonstrate proficiency in statistical analysis, research design, grant preparation and responsible conduct of research, applying ethical standards throughout scholarly inquiry
• Translate research findings across the laboratory, clinical and community domains to improve health and rehabilitation outcomes and inform evidence-based strategies
• Collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary and interprofessional teams, contributing domain-specific expertise and fostering integrative approaches to health and rehabilitation scholarship and practice
• Communicate scholarly work clearly through peer-reviewed publications, presentations and teaching, tailored to diverse audiences including academic, clinical, policy and community stakeholders
• Demonstrate leadership and reflective practice in academic, clinical, or administrative roles by employing evidence-informed decision‑making, ethical reasoning and ongoing professional development

Vision

To advance human health and function through rigorous scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of innovative solutions that address complex rehabilitation needs across diverse populations.

Mission

To generate and translate knowledge in health and rehabilitation science by fostering research excellence, ethical practice and integration of clinical and scientific expertise to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

• Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy and dignity.
• Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
• Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing innovative ideas, discoveries and practices.
• Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions and use of resources.
• Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.