What to Expect

Thinking about joining our program? You choose your track and proceed at your own pace. That’s how you determine what to expect.

How long does it take to complete the MS HPR program — how many semesters?

The MS Healthspan Promotion and Rehabilitation (formerly named MS in Rehabilitation Sciences) is a self-paced program, but at most it would be full-time. The whole program is generally completed in 2 years and there are no summer classes. (You could be doing independent work during the summer, however.) It depends on your track and your pace to calculate the course load per semester.

 

How many credit hours per semester?

Students usually take 11-14 credits per semester. Much depends on whether or not you choose to register for research credits during the summer semesters. Courses are not available over the summer term. Your track and your pace are the deciding factors.

Choose one of three tracks:

Thesis
In the thesis track, you’re required to take 14 hours in PT 598 in addition to 10 hours of elective courses.

  • Coursework: 22 credit hours
  • Thesis: 14 credit hours
    Total: 36 credit hours

Project
In the project track, you’re required to take 9 hours of PT 597 in addition to 15 hours of elective courses.

  • Coursework: 27 credit hours
  • Project: 9 credit hours
    Total: 36 credit hours

Coursework-only
In the coursework-only track, you’re required to take 27 hours of elective courses.

  • Coursework: 39 credit hours
    Total: 39 credit hours

Required Exam

The written comprehensive examination requirement assures that you have command of the body of knowledge expected of a graduate of the Master of Science in Healthspan Promotion and Rehabilitation Program.

The comprehensive examination will be waived if you obtain an average grade of B or better in the core courses PT 505 and PT 506.

PT 505Advances in Rehabilitation Sciences I3 hours
PT 506Advances in Rehabilitation Sciences II3 hours
A graduate-level statistics course (e.g. AHS 511, EPSY 505)4 hours
A research methods course (e.g. PT 563; KN 500)3-4 hours

The number of hours and choice of electives will vary according to the program option chosen and will be guided by student’s area of interest in consultation with the advisor (e.g., PT 503, PT 510, and PT 562).

Students may also use their electives hours to take courses within specializations – areas of study within the discipline – identified by faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy (e.g., healthy living, rehabilitation sciences). Consult with the advisor for lists of specialization courses.

Elective courses can also be taken from the Healthy Living PractionerTM Certificate, or from the Technology-Based Health Communications and Promotion Certificate.

Fall

PT 504Assessment Developmental Processes in Infancy2 hours
PT 533Neuromuscular Dysfunction I5 hours
PT 496Health and Wellness Academy3 hours
PT 571Biomechanics of Normal and Abnormal Movement3 hours
PT 573Instrumentation for Rehabilitation Sciences Research3 hours
PT 595Seminar in Rehabilitation Sciences1 hour

Spring

PT 496Health and Wellness Academy3 hours
PT 503Analysis of Motor Development3 hours
PT 510Control of Posture and Locomotion2 hours
PT 529Science in Practice Seminar I3 hours
PT 534Neuromuscular Dysfunction II5 hours
PT 550Teaching: Approaches and Strategies2 hours
PT 595Seminar in Rehabilitation Sciences1 hour
PT 562Neuroplasticity and Rehabilitation2 hours
PT 563Research Methods in Rehabilitation Sciences3 hours