{"id":16278,"date":"2010-08-19T10:09:34","date_gmt":"2010-08-19T14:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/?page_id=16278"},"modified":"2026-03-16T16:29:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T20:29:35","slug":"rehabilitation-sciences","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sar\/programs\/rehabilitation-sciences\/","title":{"rendered":"PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"sidebar\">\n<h3>Contact<\/h3>\n<p>For contact information, please visit the Sargent College <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/physical-therapy-department\/phd-in-rehabilitation-sciences\/\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The goal of the rehabilitation sciences program is to prepare graduates with the skills needed to become successful educators, researchers, and innovators in the field of rehabilitation sciences. Graduates develop the strong research, teaching, and leadership skills necessary for a successful academic career focused on research and teaching. Through didactic training and mentored research activities, we prepare students to teach in higher education, conduct research, and disseminate scholarly work to peers, colleagues, and consumers.<\/p>\n<p>Rehabilitation sciences is a highly interdisciplinary field of study aimed at enhancing activity, function, and participation in daily life and promoting health and wellness among persons with or at risk of developing disabilities. Rehabilitation sciences spans the entire life course, from infancy to older adulthood, and addresses a wide variety of acute and chronic physical and psychological conditions that may negatively impact people\u2019s abilities to perform daily activities and participate in their lives fully. Rehabilitation sciences integrates knowledge from diverse fields such as psychology, social sciences, movement sciences, engineering, community and family systems, health services, and epidemiology with the foundational sciences of rehabilitation clinical practice.<\/p>\n<p>The rehabilitation sciences program is located in a modern facility with state-of-the-art <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/research\/research-labs\/\">research centers and labs<\/a>. Accomplished faculty collaborate extensively with other experts within and outside Boston University. Faculty also collaborate with colleagues at other Boston University schools and colleges such as the College of Engineering,<span>\u00a0Chobanian &amp; Avedisian School of Medicine<\/span>, College of Arts &amp; Sciences, Wheelock College of Education &amp; Human Development, and School of Public Health.<\/p>\n<p>The PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences\u00a0seeks outstanding applicants interested in preparing for a career in rehabilitation sciences. Applicants will be considered with and without a clinical professional degree. Current students come from varied backgrounds and include BS and MS graduates in biology, health sciences, psychology, and engineering, as well as experienced professionals with licensure or certification in fields such as athletic training, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and psychiatric rehabilitation.<\/p>\n<p>The doctoral program\u00a0prepares students for research and teaching careers in the rehabilitation sciences field. The degree awarded is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Prerequisites for entering the program depend on the area of research that the student chooses (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/physical-therapy-department\/phd-in-rehabilitation-sciences\/admission-requirements\/\">Admission Requirements<\/a>). The program beyond the core requirements is flexible, and necessary coursework is determined on an individual basis by the student\u2019s area of concentration.<\/p>\n<h2>Learning Outcomes<\/h2>\n<p>Students will:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrate the ability to design, conduct, and evaluate research in rehabilitation science.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and existing research in rehabilitation sciences.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate the ability to effectively disseminate original research findings to peers\/colleagues.<\/li>\n<li>Be able to articulate appropriate professional skills and ethical behaviors needed for successful academic and\/or research careers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Degree Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>A minimum of 48 units is required for graduation (30 units of core coursework plus 3 units for the comprehensive exam and dissertation and 15 additional units of electives). Terms begin in September, and students are required to be registered full time (12 units a term minimum or certified as full time) for the first two years. The number of units required will depend on the student\u2019s area of concentration and extent of previous education, including a completed master\u2019s degree or completed prerequisites. The exact sequence of courses, comprehensive examination, and dissertation research is determined by the mentor, in consultation with the individual student.<\/p>\n<p>The requirements for the degree must be completed within five years of initial matriculation.<\/p>\n<h3>Common Core Coursework<\/h3>\n<p>All courses are 4 units unless otherwise specified.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR RS 650 Foundations of Rehabilitation Sciences (2 units)<\/li>\n<li>SAR RS 750 Research Design<\/li>\n<li>SAR RS 790 Teaching Skills (2 units)<\/li>\n<li>SAR RS 890 Doctoral Seminar in Rehabilitation Sciences (1 unit\/term)<\/li>\n<li>SAR RS 920 Comprehensive Examination (1 unit)<\/li>\n<li>SAR RS 930 Dissertation Proposal Development (1 unit)<\/li>\n<li>SAR RS 940 Dissertation Research (3 units)<\/li>\n<li>Two graduate-level statistics courses (a minimum of 6 units)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Elective Courses<\/h3>\n<p>Doctoral students may take courses in various schools and colleges at Boston University, and they also benefit from the unique partnerships with many other universities and training programs in the surrounding area. Electives are selected in consultation with the student\u2019s mentor. Students take a variety of elective courses, such as health care management, administration, psychology, statistics, computer science, engineering, disability law, and public health.<\/p>\n<h2>Mentorship<\/h2>\n<p>The PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences is carefully designed to prepare individuals for careers in research. The student begins by assisting the faculty mentor with a specific inquiry, and gradually, as expertise builds, identifies a related line of investigation that the student will pursue for the dissertation. The work of the doctoral student contributes to and is enriched by the larger research program that the faculty member has initiated. Students must commit to a full-time, consistent involvement in their mentor\u2019s research program. To the extent that research programs of faculty members differ in focus and methodology, research activities of students may vary. The mentor serves as a professional role model throughout the program and guides the student in developing and achieving individualized professional and academic goals.<\/p>\n<h3>Mentor-Based Concentration Areas<\/h3>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Function, Participation &amp; Environment<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>Research in the Function, Participation, &amp; Environment concentration is guided by biopsychosocial and socioecological theories of health, function, and disability. These approaches are used to investigate the dynamic relationship between the person and their environment, and the impact of that interaction on function and participation at home, school, work, and the community. The overall goal is to identify pathways to successful participation that guide the creation of strategies, supports, programs, services, and social environments that enable persons with and without disabilities to achieve full participation in society.<\/p>\n<h5>Prerequisites<\/h5>\n<p>A clinical degree and experience are desirable, but not required. However, a strong interest in health-related research is essential.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants must document prior coursework providing a foundation in the following three areas:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Basic research methods and introductory statistics<\/li>\n<li>Developmental theory and\/or adaptive processes<\/li>\n<li>Understanding health and disability<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>Coursework<\/h5>\n<p>In addition to the common core coursework required of all students in the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, and dependent on the student\u2019s area of research, some or all of the following courses may need to be taken during the doctoral program. 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 units, unless otherwise specified.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAR HP 804 Teaching Practicum (2 units)<\/li>\n<li>SSW SR 906 Qualitative Research Methods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Minimum of 19 elective units should be taken.<\/p>\n<p>Sample elective topics include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cognition and Language<\/li>\n<li>Contemporary Issues in Maternal and Child Health<\/li>\n<li>Developmental Science<\/li>\n<li>Epidemiology<\/li>\n<li>Ergonomics<\/li>\n<li>Human Neuropsychology<\/li>\n<li>Psychometric Theory<\/li>\n<li>Research Methods, including survey research and clinical trials<\/li>\n<li>Social Perspectives on Aging and Old Age<\/li>\n<li>Work and Society<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Rehabilitation Interventions<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Research in the Rehabilitation Interventions concentration includes the development and evaluation of theoretically informed rehabilitation interventions and programs for a broad range of people with disabilities. The focus is on the development of innovative approaches, evaluation of their effects and underlying mechanisms, and identification of effective dissemination and implementation practices and procedures.<\/p>\n<h5>Prerequisites<\/h5>\n<p>A clinical degree and experience are desirable, but not required. However, a strong interest in health-related research is essential. Students must enter this concentration with a master&#8217;s degree.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants must document prior coursework providing a foundation in the following two areas:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Basic research methods and introductory statistics<\/li>\n<li>Understanding health and disability<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>Coursework<\/h5>\n<p>In addition to the common core coursework required of all students in the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, students must 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).<\/p>\n<p>Required concentration area courses (7 units)*:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SPH EP 713 Introduction to Epidemiology Methods (3 units)<\/li>\n<li>SPH EP 813 Intermediate Epidemiology or Clinical Trials Research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*May substitute other research methods courses for epidemiology courses.<\/p>\n<p>A minimum of 8 elective units should be taken. More electives may be needed dependent on prior completed coursework.<\/p>\n<h5>Sample elective topics include:<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Applied Epidemiology of Aging<\/li>\n<li>Clinical Epidemiology<\/li>\n<li>Health, Illness, and Health Service Utilization<\/li>\n<li>Survey Research<\/li>\n<li>Clinical Trials<\/li>\n<li>Meta-Analyses<\/li>\n<li>Advanced Human Movement<\/li>\n<li>Foundations of Motor Control<\/li>\n<li>Qualitative Research Methods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Movement Science<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Research in the Movement Science 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 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.<\/p>\n<h5>Prerequisites<\/h5>\n<p>Should be taken during doctoral program if not completed previously.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Calculus 1 &amp; 2<\/li>\n<li>Physics<\/li>\n<li>Human Anatomy<\/li>\n<li>Neurophysiology<\/li>\n<li>Psychology<\/li>\n<li>Functional Anatomy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Coursework<\/h5>\n<p>In addition to the common core coursework required of all students in the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, and dependent on the student\u2019s 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 units unless otherwise specified.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ENG EN 124 Introduction to Engineering Computation<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 550 Scientific Basis of Human Movement (2 units)<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 565 Biomechanics of Human Movement<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 737 Instrumentation for Analysis of Motion<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 741 Time Series Analysis<\/li>\n<li>SAR HP 771 Foundations of Motor Control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<h2>Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation<\/h2>\n<p>The comprehensive examination process occurs during the summer following the student\u2019s second year. Students write a literature synthesis over the course of three months, from June to August. During the following fall term, the committee will read the student\u2019s comprehensive examination and pose an additional question or two, for which the student has to supply a written response within one month. An oral defense completes the comprehensive examination process. A single comprehensive examination is required.<\/p>\n<p>Additional tasks for all students in the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences include a professional presentation and a grant proposal. The dissertation takes the form of two journal manuscripts, one of which has to be submitted before the dissertation is defended.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"admission\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Admission Requirements<\/h2>\n<p><span>Applicants should refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/physical-therapy-department\/phd-in-rehabilitation-sciences\/\">program website<\/a><\/span><span> for the most up-to-date admission requirements and application deadlines.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contact For contact information, please visit the Sargent College website. The goal of the rehabilitation sciences program is to prepare graduates with the skills needed to become successful educators, researchers, and innovators in the field of rehabilitation sciences. Graduates develop the strong research, teaching, and leadership skills necessary for a successful academic career focused on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2129,"featured_media":0,"parent":213,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16278"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16278"}],"version-history":[{"count":50,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100122,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16278\/revisions\/100122"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}