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New disability master's degree

Launch your career as an ADA coordinator, expert in a disability resource center or facilitator within cultural or educational institution

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 RSHP program — how many semesters?

The MS in Rehabilitation Sciences and Healthspan Promotion (formerly named MS in Healthspan Promotion and Rehabilitation) 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 Rehabilitation Sciences and Healthspan Promotion 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.

Courses Heading link

Explore the each semester schedule — including courses, activities, and opportunities — by clicking through the tabs below

PT 505 Advances in Rehabilitation Sciences I 3 hours
PT 506 Advances in Rehabilitation Sciences II 3 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 semester
PT 504 Assessment Developmental Processes in Infancy 2 hours
PT 533 Neuromuscular Dysfunction I 5 hours
PT 496 Health and Wellness Academy 3 hours
PT 571 Biomechanics of Normal and Abnormal Movement 3 hours
PT 573 Instrumentation for Rehabilitation Sciences Research 3 hours
PT 595 Seminar in Rehabilitation Sciences 1 hour
Spring semester
PT 496 Health and Wellness Academy 3 hours
PT 503 Analysis of Motor Development 3 hours
PT 510 Control of Posture and Locomotion 2 hours
PT 529 Science in Practice Seminar I 3 hours
PT 534 Neuromuscular Dysfunction II 5 hours
PT 550 Teaching: Approaches and Strategies 2 hours
PT 595 Seminar in Rehabilitation Sciences 1 hour
PT 562 Neuroplasticity and Rehabilitation 2 hours
PT 563 Research Methods in Rehabilitation Sciences 3 hours
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