Health and Rehabilitation Sciences PhD
Major: Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 48.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.2314
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1099
About the Program
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is designed to prepare PhDs to be leaders as research scientists and educators in health and rehabilitation sciences.
Program Objectives
On completing the Doctor of Philosophy degree, graduates will be prepared to:
- Create innovative mechanisms, methods, interventions, and approaches for service delivery for health promotion and rehabilitation
- Establish a research agenda that will impact health and rehabilitation sciences
- Collaborate, integrate expertise, and conduct research within interprofessional teams
- Write research proposals that are competitive for grant funding
- Disseminate and translate research through presentations, publications, and contemporary media
- Teach effectively and contribute to the academic community
- Institute a plan for continued professional development as a research scientist
Admission Requirements
Degree
Applicants must provide proof that they have earned a master’s, DPT, or other advanced degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. university or college. A degree in physical therapy is not required. Applicants from all health- or rehabilitation-related backgrounds (e.g., kinesiology, occupational therapy, exercise science, biomedical or rehabilitation engineering, etc.) are welcomed.
Standardized Tests
Submit standardized test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). International applicants must also submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.
Transcripts
- Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all the colleges/universities that you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
- Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
- If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
- Use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions.
References
Submit three recommendations, including at least one from a previous supervisor and one from a mentor or advisor.
You may use our electronic letter of recommendation service.
If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter, please remind them that it must include an ink signature and be submitted in a sealed envelope.
Personal Statement/Essay
Your essay should address the following points:
- Introduction
- Tell us why you want to earn a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel University.
- What knowledge and skills do you want to learn?
- What career path are you planning to pursue with a PhD?
- Research Experience and Interest
- What research experience do you have?
- What is your research area of interest?
- How did you become interested in this area?
- Briefly indicate a gap in knowledge in your area of interest that might be addressed in dissertation research.
- Based on having identified and communicated with a potential PhD mentor, how does your area of research interest match the research of one of the PhD faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at Drexel?
Interview/Portfolio
An interview is required. A scholarly writing sample may be required.
CV/Resume
Required
Licenses
Applicants with clinical degrees may be required to have a Pennsylvania license to practice depending on proposed research activities.
Clinical/Work/Volunteer Experience
For some areas of research, it is preferred that applicants with clinical degrees (PT, OT, etc.) have two years of relevant clinical experience beyond that required to complete the professional degree.
International Students
International applicants must have their transcripts evaluated and sent to us by one of the following agencies:
Degree Requirements
Core Courses | ||
NHP 760 | Academia for Health Professionals | 2.0 |
NHP 762 | Health Professional Education | 3.0 |
RHAB 761 | Foundations of Health and Rehabilitation Research | 3.0 |
RHAB 830 | Dissertation Research | 6.0 |
RSCH 759 | Foundations of Biostatistics | 3.0 |
RSCH 770 | Foundations in Research Methods | 3.0 |
RSCH 811 | Intermediate Biostatistics | 3.0 |
RSCH 813 | Measurement Theory in Healthcare | 3.0 |
RSCH 814 | Intermediate Biostatistics II | 3.0 |
RSCH 815 | Scientific Inquiry and Writing | 3.0 |
Electives* | 7.0 | |
Independent Study | ||
Practica ** | 9.0 | |
Teaching Practicum | ||
Research Practicum | ||
Total Credits | 48.0 |
* | In collaboration with advisor, students complete a minimum of 7.0 credits of electives (courses with subject codes IPS, NHP, RHAB, RSCH 700-level or greater), including independent study, to support their individualized research plan of study. |
** | Students are required to complete a minimum of 6.0 credits of research practicum and 3.0 credits of teaching practicum. |
Sample Plan of Study
The student and faculty advisor collaboratively design an individualized plan of study based on common research interests. Prospective students are encouraged to explore our faculty research areas and information on our PhD faculty mentors on our program website.
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits |
RHAB 761 | 3.0 | RHAB 823 | 3.0 | NHP 762 | 3.0 |
RSCH 759 | 3.0 | RSCH 770 | 3.0 | RSCH 814 | 3.0 |
RSCH 813 | 3.0 | RSCH 811 | 3.0 | Elective | 3.0 |
9 | 9 | 9 | |||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits |
NHP 760 | 2.0 | NHP 822 | 1.0 | NHP 822 | 2.0 |
RHAB 823 | 1.0 | RHAB 823 | 1.0 | RHAB 823 | 1.0 |
Elective | 4.0 | RSCH 815 | 3.0 | ||
3 | 6 | 6 | |||
Third Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits |
RHAB 830 | 1.0 | RHAB 830 | 1.0 | RHAB 830 | 1.0 |
1 | 1 | 1 | |||
Fourth Year | |||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits |
RHAB 830 | 1.0 | RHAB 830 | 1.0 | RHAB 830 | 1.0 |
1 | 1 | 1 | |||
Total Credits 48 |
Note: International students are required to maintain 9.0 credits per term except for summer term.