Doctor of Philosophy in Health & Rehabilitation Science

Curriculum

The curriculum is structured to provide both breadth and depth in the field of Health and Rehabilitation Science, with the total number of semester hours determined by the student’s academic background at entry. The curriculum is designed to provide focused study in professional and research skills but with sufficient flexibility to meet individual academic and research goals.

The curriculum is composed of four major areas:

• Professional Development Core: Builds a foundation in academic scholarship, theoretical models, academic teaching and research ethics.
• Research Core: Provides training in responsible conduct of research along with quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including design, analysis, grantsmanship and scientific writing.
• Concentration Core: Individually tailored to a student’s research interests and developed with their primary mentor and the Program Director. Courses may include established courses, independent study, lab rotations, or special topics, reflecting each student’s prior training and long-term goals.
• Dissertation Phase: Culminates in independent research that demonstrates mastery and contributes new knowledge to the field.

Post-Baccalaureate

Requires a minimum of 90 credit hours organized as follows:

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

Post-Master’s

Requires a minimum of 53 semester hours organized as follows:

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

Application Process

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

1. Complete the MUSC application.
2. Submit all supplemental materials, if not included within the application.
3. Once all materials have been received and verified, your application will be reviewed.
4. 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
• Professional experiences in the discipline
• Letters of recommendation
• Strength of mentor match

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 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 being on April 1. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications by March 1 for strongest consideration. Applicants for Spring semester are encouraged to submit applications by September 1.

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

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Scholarships

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.

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.