Apply to the Program

Identifying a Faculty Mentor

An important component of admission to the Rehabilitation Science program is to identify a potential faculty mentor. Prospective students should review the PhD faculty page to determine which graduate faculty have research interests in line with their own and then make contact to discuss the possibility of collaboration. Prospective students are encouraged to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the faculty member’s work and explain their interest in working with him/her. They should also be prepared to provide a brief description of their background and current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.


Application Procedure

Graduate applications are submitted through the University of Florida Office of Admissions. The following items are required:

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended should be sent directly to the UF Office of Admissions. Official transcripts do not need to be submitted for any coursework completed at the University of Florida.

International applicants must submit to the UF Office of Admissions an official copy in the native language of each transcript, mark sheet and diploma/degree certificate from each university or college attended, along with certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English.

Additionally, unofficial transcripts should be uploaded as a part of all applications.

GRE Scores

Effective for Fall 2024 admission, the GRE is no longer required.

The Rehabilitation Science Doctoral program does not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission consideration. Applicants who voluntarily submit GRE scores may be neither penalized nor advantaged in the admission process on the basis of the GRE scores.

Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose (Personal Statement/Professional Goals Statement) is an opportunity to learn more about your goals. For the Rehabilitation Science statement of purpose, please respond to the two questions below. Your response should not exceed 500 words. You can write your essay as a continuous narrative or use headings for each question.

  1. Why are you applying for your PhD? Provide information about the following:
  • What knowledge and skills do you want to acquire during your education in the UF Rehabilitation Science program?
  • What are your long-term career goals, and how will getting a PhD in the UF Rehabilitation Science program help you reach those goals? Please include a brief statement about how an identified mentor and their research program helps you reach those goals.

2. Discuss what critical thinking to solve problems means to you. You can do that by:

  • Explaining how critical thinking and problem solving can help you achieve your goals for your career, or
  • Provide an example of how you used critical thinking to identify a need or a problem and generated a solution to address that need or problem.  Your example could be about a school, work, research, clinical/professional practice, or personal situation.

Three letters of recommendation

  • The University of Florida Rehabilitation Science PhD program requires a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation.  We will accept up to 5 letters. However, the letters cannot be exchanged once submitted.
  • There are no specific requirements as to who should write the letters of recommendation. Letters will ideally include personal observations from individuals who know the applicant well. We recommend that, if possible, at least one of your recommenders can comment on your academic background.
  • Letters must be written by the recommender. It is not ethical for the letter to be drafted by the applicant, and then provided as a draft to the recommender.
  • Topics that may be addressed in the letter include:
    • Clinical experience (if applicable)
    • Research experience (if applicable)
    • Integrity
    • Work ethic
    • Persistence
    • Response to adversity or conflict
    • Ability to receive constructive feedback
    • Emotional intelligence and maturity
    • Adaptability

Letter writers that are listed in the application packet will receive a recommendation request via email. The email will provide instructions to submit the recommendation via the University of Florida application system. The Graduate Recommendation Form is comprised of two parts:

  1. The “Applicant Rating” where you are asked to score applicant on a number of competencies: competence in chosen field, motivation and diligence, creativity/research potential, intellectual ability and critical thinking, teaching potential, and emotional maturity.
  2. The “Written Evaluation” is the narrative evaluation as described above. 

English Proficiency

International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English by completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The university’s TOEFL code is 5812. The TOEFL ITP is not accepted for admission purposes.

International applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if enrolled for one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in a country where English is the official language prior to your anticipated term of enrollment at UF, or if you are from one of the following countries.

Applicants should contact Laura Quintana with any admission related questions.