Doctor of Philosophy in Health & Rehabilitation Science

The Doctor of Philosophy in Health and Rehabilitation Science (Ph.D.) is an interdisciplinary doctoral program designed to prepare students to become leaders in research, education, and health policy. With three areas of study—Pathology and Impairment, Functional Limitations, and Health Services—the program promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and systems-level thinking to address complex health and rehabilitation challenges. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program, some overlap among concentration areas is expected and encouraged to foster integrated perspectives and collaborative approaches. The program cultivates team scientists capable of translating evidence into practice across diverse settings. The overarching objective is to develop scholars and educators who will expand and transform the field of health and rehabilitation science through innovative research, leadership, and teaching excellence.

Curriculum

The curriculum is composed of four major areas:

• Professional Development Core: Theoretical models, academic teaching, research ethics, etc.
• Research Core: Design, methodology, analysis, grantsmanship, and scientific writing
• Concentration Core: Tailored to a student’s area of study
• Dissertation

The professional development core and the research core provide a foundation in academic scholarship, responsible conduct of research, and quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The concentration core is individually tailored to a student’s research interests and developed in close consultation with their primary mentor and the program director. Courses within the concentration core may include established courses, independent study courses, lab rotations, or special topics courses. These individualized plans reflect each student’s prior training and long-term goals. Most courses in the professional development core and the research core are housed in departments within the College of Health Professions (CHP). For concentration core courses, students may take courses within CHP as well as courses in other colleges and departments within MUSC. Courses outside of the Ph.D. program will require permission from the course instructor and the student’s academic advisor.