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

Requirements: 

The program enrolls students once a year in the fall semester 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 doctorally 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 visiting the Application Progress Portal. Applications will be reviewed as they are received throughout the admissions cycle. Strong candidates will be invited to interview.

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.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

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 those 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 Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC’s code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.

Application Deadlines