Apr 18, 2024  
Catalog 2022-2023 
    
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Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Rehabilitation Science, Ph.D. (CIP 51.2314)

The PhD in Rehabilitation Science program at LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) is committed to producing scientists and academic faculty equipped to face the challenges of modern educational and healthcare environments. The researched-focused degree is designed to transition clinicians to academia in order to meet the demand for research-trained faculty in rehabilitation science programs, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology. The program’s mission is aligned with the overall LSUHSC-S mission to promote excellence in research, instruction, and clinical services in Louisiana.

As part of a major academic medical center, the opportunities for translational research are robust for the participation and contributions of rehabilitation scientists. The program offers collaborative opportunities for professionals to engage with others, such as biomedical engineers and basic scientists, to complete and disseminate original research and produce technologies that advance function, participation, and human performance in communities, work environments, and at play.

Minimum Requirements for Admission

Admission to the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program is on a competitive basis. The following are the minimum admission requirements for application to the program:

  1. Baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university in occupational therapy, physical therapy, communication disorders (speech-language pathology or audiology), engineering, exercise science, neuroscience, medicine, nursing, or other health-related professions. 
  2. Recommended minimum 3.0 overall GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all previous coursework. 
  3. Recommended minimum Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score above the 50th percentile for all categories. The GRE score will be utilized as one component of the candidate’s overall application but will not be utilized to exclude candidates. The GRE requirement will be waived for candidates with earned doctorates. Send official scores to GRE DI code: 4817 (Louisiana State Univ HSC-Shreveport School of Allied Health Professions GradCAS). 
  4. Three strong evaluation references, with at least one from a clinical or research mentor, and one from an academic source. 
  5. Current curricular vitae or resume.
  6. A written essay that provides evidence of appropriate goals of study, professional growth, and commitment to research, with special emphasis on interest in research that is being conducted at LSU Health Shreveport.
  7. Interview with faculty that shows passion and commitment to research and professional growth in Rehabilitation Science.

Method of Application

Procedures for applying for admission to the PhD in Rehabilitation program are as follows:

  1. The LSUHSC-S PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program accepts applications for admission via GradCAS, the Centralized Application Service for graduate programs. The program website has further instructions.
  2. Action taken by the Admissions Committee will be forwarded in writing to the applicant.
  3. Accepted applicants are expected to notify the program in writing as to whether or not they plan on enrolling in the program by a date noted in their acceptance letter.
  4. Accepted applicants are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements (e.g. drug screen, criminal background check) set forth by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to meet these requirements may result in revocation of acceptance offer.

Transfer Credits

Doctoral students may be able to transfer a certain number of graduate credit hours toward the PhD degree from another regional accredited U.S. college or university. However, there is no automatic transfer of graduate credit. A student may apply for consideration of transfer of credits after satisfactorily completing a minimum of nine hours of graduate credit at LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and discussing the proposed credit transfer with the advisor. If approved by the advisor, the transfer credits are added to the degree plan. The Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions has the ultimate authority to approve transfer credit when reviewing the degree plan for approval. The rule governing the time limit (10 years) for doctoral work also applies to transferable credits. At least 50% of the work counted toward a doctoral degree program must be composed of LSUHSC-S credits.

Academic Progression Requirements

The following requirements pertain to the status of academic progress for students enrolled in the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program.

  • Satisfy the scholastic requirements listed in the SAHP general section of this catalog/bulletin.
  • Students are allowed no longer than 10 years to complete their PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences, whether enrolled part-time or full-time.
  • Students shall matriculate continuously with a maximum of 2 semesters off. However, once in dissertation phase, consecutive enrollment is required through completion.

Grade appeals may be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the section of this catalog/bulletin entitled “Student Grade Appeals ”.

Curriculum