Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)

Department Website

Program Description

This innovative PhD program in rehabilitation sciences unites rehabilitation health professions in physical and occupational therapy; art, drama, and music therapies; applied psychology; communicative sciences and disorders; nutrition; engineering; and accessibility design. The program prepares scientist-practitioners from these and related disciplines to develop and test theories that inform clinical practice in order to enhance human performance and quality of life for people with disabilities.

The PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences is designed to prepare students for outstanding and fulfilling academic careers in rehabilitation research and teaching.

Collaborative mentorship is a core component of the program. Students are involved in ongoing research in collaboration with primary and secondary faculty mentors, who will also help students plan their coursework, identify sites and resources for their research, and focus their specialization toward a dissertation topic.

Program Features

The Program in Rehabilitation Sciences uses a biopsychosocial paradigm to prepare students to become scientists who study physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions across the developmental continuum in diverse contexts, both nationally and globally, and promotes those studies for better human development and functioning.

The curriculum is designed around a rigorous scientific training model that includes advanced courses in quantitative and qualitative research design.

The core research methodology component offers cutting-edge applied statistical courses and workshops in methods and measurement with options for advanced modeling and statistical analysis relevant to a student’s research interests and goals.

Key program features and benchmarks include 48 units beyond the master’s degree, a publishable paper, and a dissertation. With our full-tuition scholarship and stipend assistance, a student can complete this degree program in five years of full-time study.

Admissions

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

  • Résumé/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.