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.
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.
RSD Concentration
Communication and Swallowing Sciences and Disorders Concentration
RSD Concentration
Disability, Health and Participation Concentration
RSD COncentration
Neuromuscular Plasticity Concentration
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.
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.
More from the program
Student
Opportunities
We provide our students access to cutting-edge research, hands-on clinical experiences, and interdisciplinary collaborations designed to advance knowledge and innovation in rehabilitation science.
Rehabilitation Sciences
Our Alumni
Rehabilitation Science graduates are highly sought-after rehabilitation scientists and educators.
Student Spotlights
Student Spotlight
Sharon Medina
Student Spotlight
Raele Robison
Student Spotlight
Kelly Hawkins
Student Spotlight
Michael Sunshine
Questions?
Contact us!
If you have any questions about the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program, please feel free to reach out to us.
Message from the 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
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Jan 22
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Jan 29
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RSD Seminar – Developing a Career in Rehabilitation Research and Embracing the Unplanned – Dr. Mark Bowden
C1-011 Lecture Hall
12:00pm to 1:00pm
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Feb 26
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Mar 12
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RSD Seminar – Dynamics of the upper airway- who are the players and what are the rules of the game – Dr. Teresa Pitts
C1-011 Lecture Hall
12:00pm to 1:00pm
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Mar 27
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20th Annual NMPT Symposium
TBD
All Day
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Rehabilitation Science Seminar Series
Select Wednesdays, Aug. 28 – Nov. 13, 12-1 p.m.
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.