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:
Select 16 credits from the following programs by interest and advisement:
16
Applied Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Music and Performing Arts Professions, Art and Art Professions, Communicative Sciences and Disorders, and Nutrition and Food Studies
Students complete one candidacy paper designed to be submitted for a peer-reviewed research journal. The paper is conducted, written, and orally defended by the student under faculty mentor guidance.
Conference Presentation
Students must write and submit an abstract to a conference presentation (poster or oral, internal or external).
Grant Writing
Students must write and submit a grant proposal for an internal or external grant mechanism to support pilot data or initial proposal work. The requirement is for at least one submission (not for being awarded the grant).
Teaching
Students must complete a teaching experience ranging from guest lectures to teaching a full course as instructor of record.
Dissertation
In the final years of the degree, students develop, write, and defend a dissertation proposal and ultimately a dissertation. The dissertation is supervised by a committee of 4 mentors, and reflects the student’s novel ideas and empirical contribution to the field. There are two possible formats for the dissertation: the three-paper format and the traditional ‘monograph’ format. Students are expected to work closely with their committee to determine which option is the most appropriate. The thesis proposal and dissertation will be reviewed by a committee and readers, both in written format and in an oral defense.
Dissertation-related Courses (two 3-credit courses, for a total of 6 credits)
6
Credits
6
Total Credits
48
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
Demonstrate applied scientific inquiry that is relevant to enhancing human performance and quality of life for persons with disabilities.
Develop theories and critically examine integrative, holistic, multi-disciplinary approaches to enhancing the functioning of people with disabilities (physical, cognitive, sensory, psychological) across the lifespan.
Experience successful collaboration with one or more mentors in the development of original interdisciplinary rehabilitation research projects.
Analyze theory, research, and health care policy relevant to the promotion of rehabilitative health.
Develop a unique area of research leading to externally funded research grants.
Investigate and compose significant and original contributions to the rehabilitation field by undertaking original research resulting in scholarly works presented at professional conferences and published in science journals.
Analyze research and scholarship in ways that inform practice.