Rehabilitation Science

The PhD in Rehabilitation Science program is designed to prepare suitably qualified individuals for leadership positions in research and academia. A major focus of the program is to advance the science of rehabilitation, and to elucidate the scientific basis for the procedures and processes used in clinical practice.

Areas of research emphasis include human and animal studies designed to (1) promote an understanding of the pathophysiology of injury, disease, functional impairment, and associated disabilities, and (2) espouse the rationale for therapies designed to alleviate impaired human function and related physical and mental disabilities.

The program is open to persons with a B.S. degree or its equivalent in any of the relevant sciences. Applicants to the program do not have to be physical therapists; however, each candidate is encouraged to have a broad background in biological sciences (including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, biochemistry, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology), calculus and statistics.

The basic program requirements for a PhD degree in rehabilitation science include the following:

• Successful completion of a minimum 51 credit hours of course work. The requirements include at least 21 credit hours of core courses, 8 credit hours of research tools courses, 12 credit hours of doctoral dissertation research, and 6 credit hours of cognate elective courses.

• Demonstration of skills necessary for conducting original research investigation by passing the qualifying examination, which usually takes place after a majority of the core and research tools course work has been completed.

• Demonstration of competence in the core areas of study by successfully completing the comprehensive examination.

• Satisfactory completion of a dissertation based on an original research work.

• Successful oral defense of the dissertation.

To be considered for admission into KU's PhD in Rehabilitation Science program, the following are required:

1. Degree
   A baccalaureate degree must be completed prior to start of the program. Applicants are not required to be a physical therapist or possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physical Therapy. Applicants are encouraged to have a broad background in biological sciences (including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, biochemistry, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology), calculus and statistics.

   Students with degrees from a university outside the U.S. may be considered provided they meet the requirements equivalent to a bachelor's degree from a program in the U.S.

2. Graduate Record Examination Score
   Students must submit scores for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections of the GRE. Note: the GRE must be taken within the past 5 years of the first semester of enrollment.

3. Grade Point Average
   An overall minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average (on a 4.0-scale) is required.

4. Background Check
   The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations requires all incoming students to pay for a background check. This one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation. You will be asked to provide information and make the payment once you have been officially accepted into the program. For more information, please see the School of Health Professions Background Check Instructions.

International Students: 
An applicant is considered an international student if he or she requires a visa, or currently resides in the U.S. with non-immigrant status, or currently resides in the U.S. while applying for permanent residency. Additional requirements and documentation, such as proof of English language proficiency, are required for international students to become eligible for KU programs.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarship opportunities for incoming PhD students

• Training Program in Neurological and Rehabilitation Sciences
  This training program funded by the National Institutes of Health provides interdisciplinary training in translational research in neurorehabilitation. A stipend and training related expenses for up to three years are provided. 

• Norton-Ringle Fellowship
  Created in fall 2013, the Norton-Ringle fellowship is used as a recruiting tool and to provide a stipend for a top applicant to the PhD program.