Overview
The mission of the doctoral program in rehabilitation science is to advance the frontiers of knowledge underlying the practice of rehabilitation disciplines and professions through research, teaching, and professional development.
An interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Graduates of this program will have a specific area of expertise in rehabilitation science as well as a core of interdisciplinary knowledge related to this specific area. They will become the researchers, scholars, teachers, thinkers, and planners in the demanding and changing field of rehabilitation science.
The PhD program in rehabilitation science has nine established core areas, representative of the interest and expertise of graduate faculty within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS).
- Assistive technology
- Biomechanical evaluation
- Evidence-based practice and epidemiology of disability
- International Classification of of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) (focuses on the relationship between impairment, activity/activity limitations, and participation/participation restrictions)
- Health information systems and information technology related to health and rehabilitation
- Neuromuscular aspects of sports injuries
- Neural basis of sensory and motor function and dysfunction
- Policy, organization, and management studies in health and rehabilitation
- Psychosocial, cultural, and behavioral aspects of rehabilitation and disability
Students are expected to show competency in four of the nine core areas, plus competency in statistics and research methodology through the successful completion of a preliminary examination, offered in May of each year. The student will designate one of the core areas as their primary core area and three others as secondary core areas.
Applicants interested in the doctoral program are invited to e-mail the SHRS admissions office.