Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Health & Rehabilitation Science

Jesse Dean, Ph.D., Co-Director
Sara Knox, Ph.D., Co-Director

The Doctoral Program in Health and Rehabilitation Science uniquely positions graduates for independent and team investigation of complex health issues and rehabilitation disorders that translate from the laboratory to the clinic and the community. Graduates will be researchers, clinician scholars, educators, and administrators who lead interdisciplinary teams to optimize the health and rehabilitation outcomes of patients through investigations using innovative methods and cutting-edge technology.

The three tracks of our program, Pathology and Impairment, Functional Limitations, and Health Service, 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 allow students to develop their specialized research interests and mentored science from a strong foundation in health and rehabilitation theory, pedagogy, research design, statistics, grant writing, ethics, and diversity. The concentration courses, laboratory rotations, independent studies, electives, and dissertation provide a comprehensive education experience through a combination of classroom and individualized learning and laboratory research experiences.

Qualified students may enter the program with a background in a variety of health-related areas such as physical therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, medicine, occupational therapy, exercise science, health administration, public health, biology, or engineering.

Admissions

Learn more about the admission steps and requirements for the program.

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.

Requires a minimum of 90 credit hours organized as follows:

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

Year 1, Fall

HRS 810 Health and Rehabilitation Mode 3
HRS 801 Applied Research 3
BMTRY 700 Intro to Clin Biostatistics 4
Semester Total 10

Year 1, Spring

HRS 805 Evidence-Based Practice for Re 3
HRS 814 Basic Academic Teaching Skills 3
HRS 820 Statistical Methods for Rehab 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 1-4
Semester Total 10-13

Year 1, Summer

BMTRY 724 Design Conduct of Clin Trial 3
HRS 819 Teaching Practicum in HRS 1-4
DHA 814 Study Execution 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 1-2
Semester Total 8-12

Year 2, Fall

ETH 738 Seminars in Research Ethics 1
HRS 834 Diversity & Inclusion in Science 1
HRS 811 Fundamentals of Grant Writing 3
HRS 800 Introduction to Translational Research 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 3-4
Semester Total 11-12

Year 2, Spring

ELEC Elective Courses 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 6
Semester Total 9

Year 2, Summer

ELEC Elective Courses 4
CC Concentration Core Courses 5
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Fall

ELEC Elective Courses 4
CC Concentration Core Courses 5
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Spring

ELEC Elective Courses 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 4
Semester Total 7

Year 3, Summer

ELEC Elective Courses 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 4
Semester Total 7

Year 4, Fall

HRS 990 Dissertation 4
Semester Total 4

Year 4, Spring

HRS 990 Dissertation 4
Semester Total 4

Year 4, Summer

HRS 990 Dissertation 4
Semester Total 4
Curriculum Total 92-100

Requires a minimum of 53 semester hours organized as follows:

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

Year 1, Fall

HRS 810 Health and Rehabilitation Mode 3
HRS 801 Applied Research 3
BMTRY 700 Intro to Clin Biostatistics 4
CC Concentration Core Courses  1-4
Semester Total 11-14

Year 1, Spring

HRS 805 Evidence-Based Practice for Re 3
HRS 814 Basic Academic Teaching Skills 3
HRS 820 Statistical Methods for Rehab 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 1-4
Semester Total 10-13

Year 1, Summer

BMTRY 724 Design & Conduct of Clin Trial 3
HRS 819 Teaching Practicum in HRS 1-4
DHA 814 Study Execution 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 1-2
Semester Total 8-12

Year 2, Fall

ETH 738 Seminars in Research Ethics 1
HRS 834 Diversity & Inclusion in Sci 1
HRS 811 Fundamentals of Grant Writing 3
HRS 800 Intro. to Translational Resear 3
CC Concentration Core Courses 2
Semester Total 10

Year 2, Spring

HRS 990 Dissertation 3-12
Semester Total 3-12

Year 2, Summer

HRS 990 Dissertation 3-12
Semester Total 3-12

Year 3, Fall

HRS 990 Dissertation 3-12
Semester Total 3-12

Year 3, Spring

HRS 990 Dissertation 3-12
Semester Total 3-12

Year 3, Summer

HRS 990 Dissertation 2-12
Semester Total 2-12
Curriculum Total 53-109