Rehabilitation Science (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Phys and Occ Therapy (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science provides training and intensive experience in clinical research related to health and rehabilitation by asking the right questions through research design, analysis, interpretation and presentation of results. The program includes a comprehensive exam, research proposal, thesis and an oral defense.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (13 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POTH 609 | Qualitative Research in Rehabilitation Science. | 3 |
Qualitative Research in Rehabilitation Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to qualitative inquiry in rehabilitation sciences. Emphasis is placed on prominent research paradigms, qualitative research methodologies, and qualitative research methods as they relate to research on topics pertaining to rehabilitation. | ||
| POTH 610 | Research Methodology. | 4 |
Research Methodology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Philosophy of scientific inquiry, principles of research design, and application of statistical techniques, focusing on research studies in health care and rehabilitation. | ||
| POTH 614 | Selected Topics in Rehabilitation Science. | 3 |
Selected Topics in Rehabilitation Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A selected topic of current research issues in rehabilitation science. | ||
| POTH 631 | Research Proposal. | 3 |
Research Proposal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The course covers issues involved in the development of a research protocol. The presentation of a written thesis proposal is required by the end of the course. This document will serve as the basis for an oral presentation to the student's Supervisory Committee who will also review the written proposal. | ||
| POTH 701 | Ph.D. Comprehensive. | 0 |
Ph.D. Comprehensive. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
Complementary Course (6 credits)
One of the following courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POTH 620 | Measurement: Rehabilitation 1. | 3 |
Measurement: Rehabilitation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theoretical and practical basis for utilization of electronic equipment for quantitative measurement in rehabilitation research. Ambulatory assistive devices, electronic plates and instrumentation to assess normal and pathological human movement will be used to demonstrate the application of theory and techniques for quantitative analysis of human performance. Recording, reduction and analysis of electromyographic, kinetic and kinematic data included. | ||
| POTH 630 | Measurement: Rehabilitation 2. | 3 |
Measurement: Rehabilitation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Theoretical and practical basis for measurement in rehabilitation research. Introduction to measurement theory, scale development and related statistics, approaches and instruments used to assess outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, psychiatric or psychological conditions. | ||
Or 3 credits of advanced qualitative methodology to be chosen from the School course offerings or other courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level with permission from the Graduate Program Director.
3 credits from the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POTH 628 | Introduction to Regression Analysis. | 3 |
Introduction to Regression Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Commonly used regression modelling approaches in the health sciences, linear and logistic regression models. Topics include: general concepts behind statistical model building, selection of appropriate model, preparatory descriptive analyses prior to regression modelling, fitting, interpreting and evaluating some linear and logistic regression models. | ||
Or 3 credits of advanced qualitative methodology to be chosen from the School course offerings or other courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level with permission from the Graduate Program Director.
Elective Courses (3-6 credits)
3-6 credits of School course offerings, at the 500, 600, or 700 level, that pertain to the student's area of specialization, to be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.