Rehabilitation Science

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• Faculty
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Grad Degree Offered Info

Degree Offered:	Ph.D.
Director:	Dr. William Thompson
Phone:	(205) 975-2788
E-mail:	wrthomps@uab.edu
Website:	http://www.uab.edu/rsphd

Program Information

Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science

The Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science program is an interdisciplinary  program offered by The Department  of Occupational Therapy and The Department of Physical Therapy at the School of Health  Professions. This exciting program is designed to prepare graduates to become*:

• Academicians, scholars, scientists and researchers in education, health care, industry, and government institutions.
• Consultants to individuals, communities, and governments.

The goal of the Program is to prepare graduates to have the following skills:

• Design and implement research studies that will contribute to the knowledge base of rehabilitation science.
• Design and deliver educational courses related to rehabilitation.
• Translate innovative rehabilitation research findings into practice so as to advance the field of rehabilitation science.

*

The aim of this program is to prepare candidates to become leaders in teaching and research within the field of Rehabilitation Science. However, this is not a clinical training program.  Applicants planning to become occupational therapists or physical therapists should visit the following websites to pursue training in these two professions: www.uab.edu/ot or www.uab.edu/pt.

Application Procedure

Received by UAB Graduate School

LHL G03
1720 2nd Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0013

• Complete and submit online Graduate School application (uab.edu/graduate)
• Submit application fee payment - Domestic: $50.00
• Request one (1) official transcript to be mailed by the issuing institution to the UAB Graduate School
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. Please ask the individuals from whom you requested references to submit them online via the recommendation email request they receive. Electronic submission is the preferred method. However, if your referees prefer to mail a recommendation letter, it should be mailed to the address of the department or program to which you are applying.

Minimum Requirements for Admission

• Note that each application will be reviewed by the Admission Committee to identify individuals with strong commitment and aptitude to perform research related to Rehabilitation Science, along with strong academic preparation and professional-leadership potential.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in occupational or physical therapy, engineering, exercise science, neuroscience, medicine, nursing, or other health related professions.
• Recommended minimum Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score of 50th percentile for all categories.
• Recommended minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 in all previous coursework
• Three strong evaluation references, with at least one from a research lab mentor, and one from an academic source.
• With the written essay, provide evidence of appropriate goals of study, professional growth and commitment to research, with special emphasis on interest in research that is being conducted at UAB.
• Interview with faculty that shows passion and commitment to research and professional growth in Rehabilitation Science.

For further information contact:

William Thompson, Ph.D.
Department of Physical Therapy
205-975-2788
email: wrthomps@uab.edu

Typical Program

(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)

First Year
FIRST TERM	Hours	SECOND TERM	Hours	SUMMER TERM	Hours
RHB 780	3	RHB 785	3	RHB 782	3
RHB 783	3	RHB 784	3	RHB 789	2
RHB 789	2	RHB 789	2	RHB 790	1
RHB 790	1	RHB 790	1	GRD 717	3
EPR 609	3	EPR 710	3	Qualifer Exam
	12		12		9
Second Year
FIRST TERM	Hours	SECOND TERM	Hours	SUMMER TERM	Hours
RHB 798	3	RHB 798	3	RHB 798	3
Electives	6	Electives	6	RHB 746	1
				Electives	5
				Dissertation Proposal
	9		9		9
Third Year
FIRST TERM	Hours	SECOND TERM	Hours	SUMMER TERM	Hours
RHB 799	6-9	RHB 799	6-9	RHB 799	6-9
	6-9		6-9		6-9
Fourth Year
FIRST TERM	Hours	SECOND TERM	Hours
RHB 799	6-9	RHB 799	6-9
		Dissertation Defense
	6-9		6-9
Total credit hours: 90-105

*The degree plan will vary by the student's academic discipline and preparation upon entry to the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program.

A Sample of possible Elective Courses Currently Offered at UAB includes:

Requirements		Hours
Concentration Electives: These are electives in a specific disease, population, or content area of interest
RHB 791	Rehabilitation Sciences Clinical Project
RHB 590	Quantitative Biomechanics of Injury and Rehabilitation
NCH 760	Child Health Theories and Concepts
NCC 613	Acute & Continuing Care Pediatric Pharmacology
NTR 650	Body Composition and Energy Metabolism
OT 677	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation I
Academic Writing Electives: These are electives that focus on developing writing skills for scientific publications and/or preparation
GRD 706	Grants and Fellowships 101
GRD 708	Writing Successfully
GRD 709	Writing Fellowships
GRD 722	Writing Research for Broad Audiences
GRD 723	Writing Research for Academic Audiences
GRD 727	Writing & Reviewing Research
GRD 728	Professional Writing & Publishing
GRD 729	Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks
Research Methods Electives: These are electives in a specific research methodlogy or study design areas of interest
HPO 787	Empirical Methods for Health Research
HPO 692	Health Equity and Inclusion in Public Health Programs and Policies
NRM 773	Qualitative Research Methods
NUR 752	Responsible Conduct of Research: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
EPR 596	Introduction to Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
CS 681	Simulation Models
Statistical Methodology Electives: These are electives in a specific statistical or data analysis methodolgy
HPO 721	Clinical Decision Making and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
EPI 710	Analysis of Case Control Studies
CS 610	Database Systems
BST 623	General Linear Models
BST 665	Survival Analysis
EPR 790	Mixed Methods Approaches in Action Research
EPR 792	Mixed Methods Approaches to Educational Research