Mentored-Based Concentration Areas
Upon admission to the Doctor of Science program in Rehabilitation Sciences, you will select an areas of concentration and a mentor you would like to work with.
The specific requirements of your program of study will be determined by your choice of one of the following three areas:
Activity, Participation, and Environment
Research in the Activity, Participation, and Environment concentration focuses on clarifying the dynamic transactions between persons and their environment that influence activity performance and participation in home and community. The overall goal is to identify pathways to successful participation and to apply this understanding to enable persons with and without disabilities to achieve this goal. Research in this concentration includes development of new measures of activity, participation, and environment; exploration of the participation experience of persons of different ages and disabilities; needs assessment; and investigation of the relationship between individuals, environments, activities, and participation outcomes. The research faculty seek students with a strong background in the social and behavioral sciences as well as students with relevant clinical preparation as occupational or physical therapists.
Prerequisites
A clinical degree and experience are desirable, but not required. However, a strong interest in health-related research is essential.
Applicants must document prior coursework providing a foundation in the following three areas:
1. Basic research methods and introductory statistics
2. Developmental theory and/or adaptive processes
3. Understanding health and disability
Coursework
In addition to the common core coursework required of all students in the ScD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, and dependent on the student’s area of research some or all of the following courses may need to be taken during the doctoral program. In addition, electives are selected in consultation with the mentor to build knowledge of theory and methodology in the area of planned research. Courses may be taken at BU Sargent College, other graduate programs at Boston University, or at Consortium schools (Boston College, Brandeis, or Tufts). All courses listed are 4 credits, unless otherwise specified.
Courses
* SAR HP 804 Teaching Practicum (2)
* SAR RS 870 Emerging Topics in Rehabilitation Sciences (2 cr/sem.)
* SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods
Minimum of 16 elective credits should be taken. Sample elective topics include:
* Cognition and Language
* Contemporary Issues in Maternal and Child Health
* Developmental Science
* Epidemiology
* Ergonomics
* Human Neuropsychology
* Psychometric Theory
* Research Methods, including survey research and clinical trials
* Social Perspectives on Aging and Old Age
* Work and Society
Intervention, Processes, and Outcomes
Research in the Intervention, Processes, and Outcomes concentration focuses on developing and evaluating theoretically informed rehabilitation interventions and programs aimed at minimizing disability and optimizing functioning and participation in daily life activities among persons with or at risk for disability. Research in this concentration includes developing and testing novel rehabilitation approaches, physical activity and exercise interventions, and self-management and educational programs delivered in the clinic and community. Research faculty seek students with a strong background in clinical rehabilitation sciences (e.g., physical and occupational therapy) and behavioral and social sciences.
Prerequisites
A clinical degree and experience are desirable, but not required. However, a strong interest in health-related research is essential. Students must come into this concentration with a Master’s degree.
Applicants must document prior coursework providing a foundation in the following areas:
1. Basic research methods and introductory statistics
2. Understanding health and disability
Coursework
In addition to the common core coursework required of all students in the ScD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, the students need to take concentration area courses and electives dependent on their area of research. The courses are selected in consultation with the mentor to build knowledge of theory and methodology in the area of planned research. The electives may be taken at BU Sargent College, other graduate programs at Boston University, or at Consortium schools (Boston College, Brandeis, or Tufts). For example, students participating in the ENACT training program have the following required concentration area courses (11 credits)1. All courses listed are 4 credits, unless otherwise specified.
Required concentration area courses (11 credits)*
* SPH EP 713 Introduction to Epidemiology Methods (3)
* SPH EP 813 Intermediate Epidemiology or Clinical Trials Research
* SAR RS 870 Emerging Topics in Rehabilitation Sciences: Disablement, Enablement, and Participation – Conceptual Frameworks (2 cr/sem.)
* SAR RS 870 Emerging Topics in Rehabilitation Sciences : Activity and Participation Measurement Considerations (2 cr/sem.)
*May substitute other research methods courses for epidemiology courses
Sample Electives
A minimum of 8 elective credits should be taken. More electives may be needed depending on prior completed coursework.
Sample Electives:
* Applied Epidemiology of Aging
* Clinical Epidemiology
* Health, Illness, and Health Service Utilization
* Survey Research
* Clinical Trials
* Meta-analyses
* Advanced Human Movement
* Foundations of Motor Control
* Qualitative Research Methods
* ENACT Readings Seminar
Human Movement and Adaptation
Research in the Human Movement and Adaptation concentration is concerned with the biomechanics of movement, the dynamics of coordination and control, and the processes of development, adaptation, and learning. The overall goal is to increase our understanding of human movement and motor development and to apply this knowledge to improve the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders in individuals with musculoskeletal and neurological impairments. Research in this concentration also includes the development of new rehabilitation technologies such as inertial and gyroscopic activity sensors, powered exoskeletal devices, and foot orthoses. Research faculty seek students with a strong background in engineering, mathematics, physics, and human development, as well as experienced clinical scientists, such as occupational or physical therapists.
Prerequisites
Must be taken during doctoral program if not completed previously.
* Calculus I & II
* Physics
* Human Anatomy
* Neurophysiology
* Psychology
* Functional Anatomy
Coursework
In addition to the common core coursework required of all students in the ScD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, and dependent on the student’s selected area of research some or all of the following courses may need to be taken during the doctoral program. All courses listed are 4 credits, unless otherwise specified.
* SAR HP 550 Scientific Basis of Human Movement (2)
* SAR HP 565 Biomechanics of Human Movement
* SAR HP 737 Instrumentation for Analysis of Motion
* ENG EN 124 Introduction to Engineering Computation
* SAR HP 741 Time Series Analysis
* SAR HP 771 Foundations of Motor Control
* SAR HP 782 Advanced Human Movement
* SAR RS 870 Emerging Topics in Rehabilitation Sciences (2 cr/sem.)
