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UF Health University of Florida
College of Public Health & Health Professions University of Florida
Academics Overview

Rehabilitation Science, PhD

The purpose of the Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program is to educate/train doctoral students in the science of rehabilitation. This interdisciplinary program serves doctoral students in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and related fields. The program is designed for individuals to develop skills in teaching, research and service leadership in rehabilitation.

How to apply
Program OVerview
RSD research with Dr. Fuller

Concentration Areas

Each student completes coursework pertaining to Rehabilitation Science Application, Rehabilitation Science Teaching, Research Methods and Statistics, Rehabilitation Science Research, as well as specialized coursework in one of three concentrations.

View ALL program curriculum

Admissions

The University of Florida’s Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program seeks candidates with a bachelor’s degree applicable to rehabilitation science research, professional or clinical experience in a related field, and a commitment to interdisciplinary education and scholarly work.

Learn more about our admissions process including how to apply, deadlines and funding your degree.

Learn about our admissions
Dr. Emily Fox, Intermittent hypoxia

Why Choose the UF Rehab Science PhD Program

See What's Happening

Hear from RSD students who describe why they chose the program and how it’s preparing them for careers in research.

Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee and Dr. David Clark using functional near-infrared spectroscopy to record cortical brain activity. Play Video

More from the program

Student Spotlights

Message from the Director

Andy Judge, RSD Program Director

Rehabilitation science is a diverse and expanding discipline that encompasses both basic and applied aspects of health science, the social sciences, and engineering.  Our faculty includes clinicians, clinician-scientists, and basic scientists working together to restore or improve human functional capacity across a range of diseases and conditions.

A major strength of our program is the diversity of student interests and work. Our UF Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program (RSD) students are conducting research that spans the full spectrum of rehabilitation science. You can read descriptions of the dissertation research projects of our students and review recent student publications in scientific journals.

Prospective students: This program has been carefully designed to provide you with a strong foundation in the science of rehabilitation,  recovery, and community integration. You will study core coursework in rehabilitation theory, learn how to ask questions important to human health, and design experiments to answer those questions effectively. This foundation prepares you for a career in rehabilitation science and after graduation, you might go on to an academic career or take an industry job.

During your time in our program, you will have access to world-class rehabilitation science researchers, a wide variety of seminars, and coursework that can be tailored to your specific interests. The program features three concentrations, Neuromuscular Plasticity, Communication and Swallowing Sciences and Disorders, and Disability, Health, and Participation Science. 

Current students: You will find the important forms, deadlines, and contacts necessary to complete this exciting course of study and your dissertation.

Alumni: We would like to hear from you! We are extremely proud of your accomplishments and you should be too. You will see on this website an “alumni spotlight” in which we feature some of your colleagues. Please contact us and let us know about your recent achievements.

Thank you for visiting our website. Again, please contact us with any questions.

Andy Judge, PhD
University of Florida
Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Director, PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program

Calendar

RSD Calendar

Upcoming Events

  1. Feb 26

  2. Mar 12

  3. Mar 27

  4. Mar 28

  5. Apr 09

  6. Apr 23

Rehabilitation Science Seminar Series

Select Wednesdays, January 21 – April 23, 12 – 1 pm

These biweekly seminars are designed to foster interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations. The lecture series includes both local and external experts in rehabilitation-related research, with a primary emphasis on neuromuscular plasticity.

RSD Seminar image