Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science Courses & Curriculum

The three tracks of our program, Pathology and Impairment, Functional Limitations, and Health Services, allow our graduates to address health and rehabilitation questions across all levels of the translational continuum and domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The core courses permit students to develop their specialized research interests and mentored science from a strong foundation in health and rehabilitation theory, pedagogy, research design and analysis, statistics, grant writing, and research ethics. The concentration courses, laboratory rotations, independent studies, electives, and dissertation provide a comprehensive educational experience through a combination of classroom and individualized learning and laboratory research experiences.

The minimum semester hours required varies depending on the prior degree held upon admission to the program and ranges from 53 (post-master’s) to 90 credits (post-baccalaureate). For both entry points, the curriculum includes 14 Professional Development Core (PC) credit hours, 19 Research Core (RC) Credit hours, 8 to 30 Concentration Core (CC) credit hours, and a minimum of 12 credit hours for the dissertation.

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.

International students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Health & Rehabilitation Science Program must enroll in accordance with federal regulations.