The University at Buffalo Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science

Abstract

An interdisciplinary group of faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) has developed the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program in Rehabilitation Science. Faculty from Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, Communicative Disorders, Nursing, and Rehabilitation Medicine designed a curriculum that addresses the critical need for faculty and researchers in the area of disability and rehabilitation research. The model for the Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science was developed by a task force of the National Institute on Health’s National Center on Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR). The Ph.D. program in Rehabilitation Science addresses the functional limitations, disabilities and societal limitations of persons that result from pathophysiology. The faculty who developed this Ph.D. have a long and strong history of collaboration. Faculty have secured considerable external support for their work, and have in place labs and community resources to support research and doctoral students. The program is strengthened by the inclusion of “visiting faculty” whose roles include teaching courses in condensed format at UB and serving as dissertation committee members. Visiting faculty have full rank appointments at other research universities, have active collaborative research projects with faculty at UB, and while at their home campus employ the latest communications technology in working with this Ph.D. program’s faculty and students. The Ph.D. includes four core courses related to the NCMRR model and four courses focused on research methods, statistics and research ethics. The program also requires a graduate seminar and dissertation guidance. Students choose from 5 new elective courses developed for the Ph.D. program as well as electives offered within the participating programs and other programs at UB. We project admitting up to 8 full time equivalent students each year. Thirty-nine faculty participate in the program. There is a Program Coordinator rotated among faculty every 3 years. A steering committee of faculty from each participating program provides oversight and coordination.