BS in Rehabilitation Sciences

Discover the principles of rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Sciences program will introduce you to the wide range of knowledge required to provide the best health-related and rehabilitation services. The RS curriculum begins with people’s experiences of illness, injury or disability, focusing on these core aspects of rehabilitation:

  • Research and evidence-based practices in rehabilitation
  • Person-centered care
  • Professional collaboration and teamwork
  • Critical case management and access to health and human services.

All departments in the College of Applied Health Sciences contribute to the core courses required in Rehabilitation Sciences, providing students with a breadth of knowledge. You’ll study body systems (anatomy, psychology, nutrition), physical and mental health, interventions, health care systems and health informatics, and disability. Students take required and selective courses in disability and human development, kinesiology, nutrition, health information management, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

The RS major allows flexibility in selecting courses within your areas of interest and prerequisite courses required for professional or graduate programs.

Content Section

Your career

Rehabilitation professionals treat physical, cognitive and social-emotional difficulties, as well as environmental barriers that affect their clients’ functioning and life. They work with people of all ages, in different settings such as hospitals, outpatient centers, community agencies, homes and schools.

A BS in rehabilitation sciences prepares students to work in health care, rehabilitation and human service positions, at private, government and nonprofit organizations. RS graduates work as clinical assistants, exercise assistants, case workers, service coordinators, vocational coordinators in health care, and other positions in rehabilitation or human services.

 This BS in rehabilitation sciences prepares student for graduate and professional programs in health care and rehabilitation, including nursing, medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant.  Recent graduates have gone on to study law, public health or social work.

Learn from the best

  • Michelle Bulanda head shot

    Michelle Bulanda

    Providing early intervention services for children with disabilities in collaboration with their families

  • Jennifer Wescott head shot

    Jennifer Wescott

    Focusing on instructional and community-level approaches that facilitate engagement, equity, and the co-creation of meaningful, integrative learning experiences

  • Orit Schwartz head shot

    Orit Schwartz

    Researching community-based services and participatory approaches to educational and clinical work

Your learning experiences

Rehabilitation sciences focuses on the needs of people with medical conditions, injuries and disabilities. Students learn about key concepts, theories and research through independent and collaborative projects. They learn the language of rehabilitation and real case scenarios as they work with faculty who are experienced occupational and physical therapists. Students also interview and shadow health care providers and hear guest speakers in related fields.

We're here for you

Still wondering what a BS in rehabilitation sciences can do for you? Contact us and get your questions answered.