PhD in Rehabilitation Science

Program Description

Rehabilitation Science is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on human function and disability. Basic and applied research from health sciences, social sciences, engineering, and related fields are directed toward (1) enhancing physical and psychosocial functioning, participation in life situations, and quality of life of people with disabilities; and (2) informing relevant social and health care policy.

The nationally recognized Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington is offering a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rehabilitation Science Degree Program. The faculty is committed to respecting students; to creating a climate that encourages creativity and excellence; and to fostering collaboration among all students and faculty.

Targeted Students

The program will be targeted to students from diverse backgrounds in rehabilitation-related fields including: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology, rehabilitation counseling, medicine, nursing, prosthetics and orthotics, and engineering.

Program Goals

The goal of the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Science is to prepare researchers, educators, and leaders in the area of rehabilitation science to contribute to the development of rehabilitation practice, research, and policy. We expect that graduates of the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Science will be prepared as researchers, educators, and leaders in the field of rehabilitation science, who will work in academic institutions, service delivery systems (e.g., hospitals, public schools), government agencies, and the private sector. These individuals will be prepared to address research, education, service delivery, and policy challenges requiring an interdisciplinary perspective.

The following are three overarching outcomes for graduates of the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Science.

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and productivity in rehabilitation science specific to research, education, service delivery, and/or policy.
2. Demonstrate leadership in interdisciplinary collaboration for the purpose of optimizing research, education, service delivery, and/or policy.
3. Generate and extend knowledge that is innovative and rigorously tested within a focused area of rehabilitation science.

As steps toward achieving the overarching outcomes, graduates of our program will be expected to demonstrate competence relative to the following goals.

1. Understand rehabilitation science and social constructs about disability and apply this information to excellence in research, education, service delivery, and policy development and interpretation.
2. Understand the unique role and contribution to rehabilitation science of his/her entering discipline (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language pathology, rehabilitation counseling).
3. Critically evaluate and synthesize research in rehabilitation science.
4. Understand research methods relevant to rehabilitation science.
5. Design and implement innovative research relevant to rehabilitation science.
6. Take a leadership role in preparing a grant application.
7. Design and deliver scholarly presentations and facilitate effective discussions.
8. Disseminate research and other scholarly products/manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and other venues appropriate to the field of rehabilitation science.
9. Effectively design, implement, and evaluate instruction related to a focused area of study and reflecting a rehabilitation science perspective.

[to top]