Bouvé College of Health Sciences' Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders; the Department of Medical Sciences; and the Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences offers an interdisciplinary PhD program that spans communication sciences and disorders; medical sciences; and physical therapy, movement, neurosciences, and rehabilitation science disciplines.
The PhD program seeks to prepare graduates to conduct original research that integrates basic, translational, and applied approaches to advance interdisciplinary neuroscience. The goal is to generate new knowledge at the intersection of rehabilitation and neuroscience using cutting-edge tools for assessments and treatments across the life span. The program emphasizes core competencies in rehabilitation sciences with a focus on neuroscience and interdisciplinary approaches including principles of learning and adaptation, methods for measuring and analyzing human function, knowledge translation theory, and the application of traditional and emerging technologies. The program is based on the integration of core skills and concepts from communication sciences and disorders, medical sciences, and human movement and rehabilitation sciences alongside preparation in research methodology, data analysis, cutting-edge technologies, and related skills.
Advanced Entry
Based on a student’s background in their preceding master's or clinical doctorate degree, core coursework and total hours for the advanced entry program may vary. The graduate program director will consider all the program requirements and applicants' previous experience when advising students on a plan of study. All students, whether entering from traditional or advanced PhD pathways, will complete the milestones as documented in the curriculum.
Please visit Bouvé College Learning Outcomes for the specific student learning outcomes for this program.
Milestones
All students, whether entering from traditional or advanced PhD pathways, must complete the following milestones:
- Annual review
- Qualifying exam
- Dissertation committee
- Dissertation proposal
- Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PT 7002 | Core Concepts in Neuroscience and Research | 4 |
| PT 7005 | Experimental Design and Applied Statistics | 4 |
| PT 7020 | Technologies in Movement and Rehabilitation Science | 4 |
| 2 |
| Interdisciplinary Seminar in Rehabilitation Science | |
Electives
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 19 |
| Human-Centered AI | |
| Biomedical Imaging | |
| Systems, Signals, and Controls for Bioengineers | |
| Design of Biomedical Instrumentation | |
| Multidisciplinary Approaches in Motor Control | |
| Research Methods in Applied Psychology | |
| Behavioral Concepts and Principles | |
| Exploring AI Trends and Tools | |
| AI in Education | |
| Physical Activity and Exercise: Prescription, Measurement, and Testing | |
| Healthcare Research | |
| AI Across the Health Sciences | |
| Biosensor and Human Behavior Measurement | |
| Data Mining for Engineering Applications | |
| Human Performance | |
| Human Factors Engineering | |
| AI in Media Industries | |
| Robot Mechanics and Control | |
| Control Systems Engineering | |
| Musculoskeletal Biomechanics | |
| Advanced Control Engineering | |
| Responsible AI | |
| Introduction to Epidemiology | |
| Biostatistics in Public Health | |
| Intermediate Epidemiology | |
| Applied Regression Analysis | |
| Advanced Methods in Biostatistics | |
| Neuroscience | |
| Motor Control, Development, and Learning | |
| Neurological Rehabilitation 1 | |
| Applications of Biomechanics in Human Function and Movement | |
| Neurological Rehabilitation 2 | |
| Core Concepts in Rehabilitation Science and Research | |
Dissertation
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| Dissertation Term 1 | |
| Dissertation Term 2 | |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
32 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Milestones
Annual review
Qualifying exam
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
Additional coursework may be required above and beyond 16 semester hours based on a student's prior academic background. The graduate program director will consider the following program requirements when advising students on a plan of study.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PT 7002 | Core Concepts in Neuroscience and Research | 4 |
| PT 7005 | Experimental Design and Applied Statistics | 4 |
| PT 7020 | Technologies in Movement and Rehabilitation Science | 4 |
| 2 |
| Interdisciplinary Seminar in Rehabilitation Science (Repeatable 2 times for 1 semester hour and 4 times for 0 semester hours) | |
Electives
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 3-4 |
| Human-Centered AI | |
| Biomedical Imaging | |
| Systems, Signals, and Controls for Bioengineers | |
| Design of Biomedical Instrumentation | |
| Multidisciplinary Approaches in Motor Control | |
| Research Methods in Applied Psychology | |
| Behavioral Concepts and Principles | |
| Exploring AI Trends and Tools | |
| AI in Education | |
| Physical Activity and Exercise: Prescription, Measurement, and Testing | |
| Healthcare Research | |
| AI Across the Health Sciences | |
| Biosensor and Human Behavior Measurement | |
| Data Mining for Engineering Applications | |
| Human Performance | |
| Human Factors Engineering | |
| AI in Media Industries | |
| Robot Mechanics and Control | |
| Control Systems Engineering | |
| Musculoskeletal Biomechanics | |
| Advanced Control Engineering | |
| Responsible AI | |
| Introduction to Epidemiology | |
| Biostatistics in Public Health | |
| Intermediate Epidemiology | |
| Applied Regression Analysis | |
| Advanced Methods in Biostatistics | |
| Neuroscience | |
| Motor Control, Development, and Learning | |
| Neurological Rehabilitation 1 | |
| Applications of Biomechanics in Human Function and Movement | |
| Neurological Rehabilitation 2 | |
| Core Concepts in Rehabilitation Science and Research | |
Dissertation
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| Dissertation Term 1 | |
| Dissertation Term 2 | |
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
16 total semester hours required. Additional coursework may be required.
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
