We welcome applicants of all abilities/disabilities, religions, marital statuses, familial statuses, sexes, ages, sexual orientations, veteran statuses, national origins, all ethnic and racial backgrounds, genetic information, and gender identities and expressions.
Admission Requirements
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and prerequisite science and math GPA of 2.5 (based on 4.0) is required for admission. The following courses are included in the science and math GPA calculation: Biology 1, Biology 1 lab, Chemistry 1, Chemistry 1 lab (if taken separately), Physics 1, College Algebra (exemption okay), and Statistics. If an applicant has taken the following courses they will also be included in the calculation: Biology 2, Biology 2 lab, Chemistry 2, Chemistry 2 lab (if taken separately), Physics 2, and Physics lab. Repeated classes are averaged.
- 60 credits are required to begin the program.
- Prerequisites must be completed for a letter grade, minimum grade of C- (C for transfer) unless otherwise noted; with the exception of AP/IB credits and/or exemptions awarded by the University of Pittsburgh. Courses listed below are offered at the Pittsburgh Campus, courses taken at the regional Pitt campuses or external institutions must be evaluated as equivalent to satisfy these requirements. Applications may be submitted while prerequisite coursework is in progress.
- Foundations of Biology 1, BIOSC 0150
- Foundations of Biology 1 Lab, BIOSC 0050, 0057 or 0058
- General Chemistry 1 and Lab, CHEM 0110
- Introduction to Physics, PHYS 0110
- Introduction to Psychology, PSY 0010
- REHSCI 1245 - Human Development, PSY 0310 or HHD 0005. REHSCI 1245 recommended.
- Seminar in Composition*, 1 course
- Writing Intensive, 1 course. ENGCMP 0440 or 0540 recommended.
- Oral Communication, 1 course. COMMRC 0520 preferred; 0500, 0510, 0530 acceptable.
- College Algebra, 1 course. MATH 0031 or higher math required. Exemption accepted.
- Statistics, 1 course. STAT 0200 or STAT 1000 required.
- Diversity*, 1 course
- Literature*, The Arts*, Creative Work* or Philosophical Thinking and Ethics*, 1 course
- Social Sciences*, 1 course
- Cross-Cultural Awareness*, Global Issues*, or Specific Geographic Region*, 1 course. ANTH 0780 recommended.
- *See the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences General Education Course Catalog.
Application Requirements
- Complete the application for admission
- The application for Fall 2023 will open in November 2022.
- Submit a personal statement that includes a short story describing a meaningful experience that inspired your interest in health care. Your statement should reveal your personality, values, character, and creativity, and should show us how your experiences (health care and non-health care related) make you a unique candidate for the Rehabilitation Science Program. Essays should be approximately 500-750 words in length and single or 1.5 spaced.
- Resumes are required.
- Transcripts from all institutions attended. Pitt students do not need to provide transcripts if they have already been submitted to the University of Pittsburgh.
- A letter of recommendation is not required.
Application Deadline
March 1.
Admission Timeline
Application review begins in January. Admission decisions will be available no later than April 15.
Please note that admission to the program is competitive. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee admission
Additional Information
Students planning to apply to graduate professional programs in health sciences are recommended to complete most of the prerequisite courses for those graduate programs (e.g. Physics II, Biology II, Chemistry II, etc.) prior to admission to the Rehabilitation Science program. Anatomy and Physiology (prerequisites for many professional health science programs) are included in the Rehabilitation Science curriculum.