Applying to the Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science Program

Requirements: 

The program enrolls students twice a year in the fall and spring semesters who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate the likelihood of success in the Ph.D. program and research career based on previous academic work and relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrate potential for a successful pairing with a faculty mentor and mentorship team conducting research in the student’s area of interest. Prospective students must obtain a mentorship agreement with a faculty member in order to apply. 

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

• Baccalaureate or graduate degree in a relevant discipline or first professional degree (such as DPT, OT, SLP)
• Grade-point average in prior academic work (3.0 minimum required)
• Personal Statement
• Professional experiences in the discipline
• Letters of professional and academic reference

Applications will be reviewed as they are received throughout the admissions cycle. Strong candidates will be invited to interview.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the program, please contact Lauren Dickerson at (843) 792-2115 or meltonl@musc.edu.

Application Checklist

1. Complete the appropriate Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Science application: 

   • Post-Baccalaureate Application: for applicants seeking entry with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study.
   • Post-Masters Application: for applicants seeking entry after completion of a graduate or professional degree (such as MHA, MPH, DPT, OT, SLP).
2. 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 PhD program.
3. Personal Statement
4. Resume/CV
5. Mentor-Match Agreement Form (provided by potential faculty mentor or PhD Program student services coordinator prior to applying). 
6. Submit official transcripts from previous colleges/universities.
7. Foreign Institutions – Academic records from foreign institutions must be provided in English and must be certified or validated as true by a university or government official. International transcripts must be evaluated and officially submitted by professional agencies and show the equivalency of work completed outside the United States.
   
   The following websites provide more information about professional transcript evaluation agencies:
   World Education Services
   International Education Research Foundation
   Education International
   
   More Information for International Students is available and should be reviewed prior to applying.

Please note: All above information must be received before an admission decision can be made. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the status of his/her application by viewing the dashboard/summary in the online application portal. 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 being on April 1; for strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit applications by March 1. Applicants for SPRING semester are encouraged to submit applications by September 1.

International Applicants

MUSC's Health & Rehabilitation Science PhD Post-Baccalaureate and Post-Master's programs can admit international students requiring an F-1 visas.* More Information for International Students is available and should be reviewed prior to applying.

International Students admitted into the Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science program will be required to enroll in accordance with federal regulations.

Scholarship Eligibility

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.

Click here to visit our scholarship application system to view a complete listing of MUSC scholarships.

Application Deadlines