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Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science (PhD RS)

Program Description

Rehabilitation science is a broad and growing field that improves the treatment, care, and lives of people with potentially disabling health conditions. It includes researchers, educators, and professionals who advance, teach and apply knowledge to care for people with health needs.

The Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science program educates students to be innovative educators, researchers, and leaders. Our graduates become scholars in higher education and other settings who advance and distribute knowledge to enrich the lives of people with communication and movement disorders. Our program emphasizes the athletic training, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology rehabilitation domains. We foster interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance treatment and enablement theories that will improve rehabilitation practice. We welcome qualified students from related clinical and non-clinical backgrounds who are passionate about rehabilitation science, learning, teaching, and research.

The Ph.D. RS program offers Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) and Movement Sciences and Disorders (MSD) concentrations. The program's face-to-face curriculum includes several online course options. Twenty-one faculty members across seven programs and two departments educate Ph.D. students in rehabilitation science foundations, professional development, teaching methods and practices, research design and statistics, technical writing, and research. Students develop an individualized concentration plan, including seminars, research methods, and discipline-specific courses. They take electives from other programs, departments, and schools at TTUHSC and TTU. Students choose academic and research emphases based on their interests and career goals. All students complete a research project, comprehensive qualifying examination, and doctoral dissertation. Graduation requires 86 semester credit hours over typically four years, with up to 24 graduate-level transfer hours possible. Ph.D. students may enroll full or part-time, and teaching and research assistantships are available.

Program Admission

Applications for admission are due by February 1 for the Summer semester, March 15 for the Fall semester, and October 15 for the Spring semester.

Ph.D. RS program admission is competitive and based on the applicant's academic record, professional experiences, goals, interests, GRE scores, and potential to contribute substantively to rehabilitation science. The admission requirements are

  • graduate degree in rehabilitation science or a related area
  • official transcripts reflecting all coursework, an earned graduate degree, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours
  • competitive GRE scores (official copy with verbal, quantitative, and writing scores)
  • three letters of recommendation
  • application essay describing the applicant's research interests, career goals, and relevant experiences
  • sample of research writing
  • résumé or curriculum vitae

The admissions committee will interview qualified applicants before making an admission decision.

Ph.D. RS Curriculum

The Ph.D. RS program requires 86 semester credit hours, including up to 24 hours from graduate-level transfer courses. All students take a 44-hour core curriculum and 42-hour concentration in Communication Sciences & Disorders or Movement Sciences & Disorders.

Note: The Ph.D. RS is a face-to-face program, but students may take several online courses and receive degree credit for up to 49% of the hours taken in the program.

REHABILITATION SCIENCE CORE (44 hours)
All students take the following core courses or approved substitutes, as applicable.
FOUNDATIONS (3 hours)
HPPH 7101      Rehabilitation Science Foundations
HPPH 7102      Professional Development (repeat for 2 hours)
TEACHING (8 hours) 
HPDS 7304      Educational Evaluation in Health Professions
HPDS 7305     Curriculum Design & Teaching in Health Professions 
or another approved education course, and
HPPH 7115      Teaching Practicum (repeat for 2 hours)
RESEARCH DESIGN & STATISTICS (9 hours)
HPPH 7321      Research Design & Statistics
HPPH 7322      Intermediate Statistics
HPPH 7323      Selected Topics in Statistics
or another approved statistics course
TECHNICAL WRITING (6 hours)
HPPH 7331      Writing for Publication
HPPH 7332      Writing for Grants
or another approved technical writing course
RESEARCH (6 hours)
HPPH 7099      Research
DOCTORAL DISSERTATION (12 hours)
HPPH 8000 & 8001      Doctoral Dissertation

CONCENTRATION (42 hours)

Students choose a concentration in Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) or Movement Sciences and Disorders (MSD), completing graduate-level required, selected, and elective coursework.

Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Concentration

REQUIRED CSD COURSES (12 hours)
HPPH 7171, 7272, or 7377      CSD Seminar (select and repeat courses for 9 hours)
HPPH 7350      CSD Research Methods (3 hours)
SELECTED CSD COURSES (18 hours from the following)
HPPH 7171, 7272, or 7377      CSD Seminar (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum)
HPPH 7350      CSD Research Methods (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum)
HPPH 7010      Independent Student (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum) 
HPPH 7020      Special Topics (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum) 
HPPH 7386      Computer Research Applications
Courses from
  • the MSD concentration
  • other Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences programs (e.g., AuD, SLP)
  • other SHP programs (6 hours maximum)
  • other TTUHSC departments (6 hours maximum)
  • TTU (6 hours maximum)
ELECTIVE CSD COURSES (12 hours)
Students take approved elective courses to complete the CSD concentration.

Movement Sciences and Disorders (MSD) Concentration

REQUIRED MSD COURSES (12 hours)
HPPH 7181, 7282, or 7387      MSD Seminar (select and repeat courses for 9 hours)
HPPH 7360      MSD Research Methods (3 hours)
SELECTED MSD COURSES (18 hours from the following)
HPPH 7181, 7282, or 7387      MSD Seminar (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum)
HPPH 7360      MSD Research Methods (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum)
HPPH 7010      Independent Study (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum)
HPPH 7020      Special Topics (may be repeated for credit; 6 hours maximum)
HPPH 7386      Computer Research Applications
Courses from
  • the CSD concentration
  • other Department of Rehabilitation Sciences programs (e.g., DPT, OTD, MAT, or ScD RS)
  • other SHP programs (6 hours maximum)
  • other TTUHSC departments (6 hours maximum)
  • TTU (6 hours maximum)
ELECTIVE MSD COURSES (12 hours)
Students take approved elective courses to complete the MSD concentration.

Additional Requirements for Graduation
  • Completion of a supervised research project concurrent with HPPH 7099 Research
  • Completion of a comprehensive qualifying examination for advancement to candidacy
  • Completion of a doctoral dissertation



  • HPPH 7010 Independent Study (1-9:0:1-9,F)

    This course involves an independent project designed to meet the student's needs. Possible experiences include a library research project or paper, course/laboratory review, teaching materials preparation, administration or teaching participation, laboratory manual development, or an administration, teaching, clinical or research activity. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7020 Special Topics (1-3:1-3:0,F)

    Selected topics of interest in rehabilitation science.This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7099 Research (1-9:0:1-9,F)

    Students will participate in rehabilitation science research while under faculty supervision.

  • HPPH 7101 Rehabilitation Science Foundations (1:1:0,F)

    This course introduces students to rehabilitation science as an academic discipline, including historical perspectives, philosophical approaches, and current research needs. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7102 Professional Development (1:1:0,F)

    This course introduces students to professional development topics necessary for success in an academic career. Students may repeat it for credit.This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7113 Teaching Apprenticeship I (1:0:1,F)

    Students will participate in the teaching of a course in rehabilitation science while under faculty supervision.

  • HPPH 7114 Teaching Apprenticeship II (1:0:1,F)

    Students will participate in the teaching of a course in rehabilitation science while under faculty supervision.

  • HPPH 7115 Teaching Practicum (1:0:1,F)

    Students engage in the teaching of a rehabilitation science course while under faculty supervision. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7171 CSD Seminar (1:1:0,F)

    This seminar course explores selected communication sciences and disorders topics through reading and discussion. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7181 MSD Seminar (1:1:0,F)

    This seminar course explores selected movement sciences and disorders topics through reading and discussion. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7191 Seminar in Clinical Anatomy Research (1:1:0,F)

    Selected topics in clinical anatomy research explored through reading and discussion.

  • HPPH 7192 Seminar in Clinical Behavior Research (1:1:0,F)

    Selected topics in clinical behavior research explored through reading and discussion.

  • HPPH 7193 Seminar in Clinical Biomechanics Research (1:1:0,F)

    Selected topics in clinical biomechanics research explored through reading and discussion.

  • HPPH 7194 Seminar in Clinical Postural Control Research (1:1:0,F)

    Selected topics in clinical postural control research explored through reading and discussion.

  • HPPH 7195 Seminar in Clinical Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research (1:1:0,F)

    Selected topics in musculoskeletal rehabilitation research explored through reading and discussion.

  • HPPH 7272 CSD Seminar (2:2:0,F)

    This seminar course explores selected communication sciences and disorders topics through reading and discussion. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7282 MSD Seminar (2:2:0,F)

    This seminar course explores selected movement sciences and disorders topics through reading and discussion. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7301 Foundations of Rehabilitation Science (3:3:0,F)

    This course introduces students to rehabilitation science as an academic discipline including historical perspectives, philosophical approaches, and contemporary research needs. Additional topics may include teaching, research, and administration issues that are relevant to the professional development of an academic scholar in rehabilitation science.

  • HPPH 7311 Curriculum Design and Teaching (3:3:3.5,H)

    This course discusses the theories and applications of curriculum design, emphasizing applications to entry-level and post-professional rehabilitation science educational settings. Students are exposed to core theories, principles and applications that relate to teaching rehabilitation science students and professionals.

  • HPPH 7312 Educational Evaluation (3:2:3,H)

    This course will discuss educational evaluation theory and tools, emphasizing methods of objective and performance-based evaluation. Students will learn to draft specific evaluation measures used in an educational setting.

  • HPPH 7321 Research Design & Statistics (3:3:0,F)

    Introductory concepts of research design and statistics for rehabilitation scientists. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7322 Intermediate Statistics (3:3:0,F)

    Intermediate concepts of statistics for rehabilitation scientists. Prerequisite: HPPH 7321 or approval. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7323 Selected Topics in Statistics (3:3:0,F)

    Selected topics in statistics for rehabilitation scientists. Prerequisite: HPPH 7322 or approval. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7331 Writing for Publication (3:3:0,F)

    This course will increase understanding of scientific manuscript preparation suitable for publication in rehabilitation science journals. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7332 Writing for Grants (3:3:0,F)

    This course is designed to increase understanding of internal/external funding mechanisms and to provide training to Ph.D. students in grant preparation and funding opportunities. Topics include discussion about various types of external and internal funding opportunities, focusing on NIH and NSF funding, components of grant proposals, currently available grant writing resources, ethical issues related to grant writing, and budgeting and planning skills. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7341 Methods in Hearing Sciences and Audiology Research I (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in the area of hearing science and/or audiology research.

  • HPPH 7342 Methods in Hearing Sciences and Audiology Research II (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in the area of hearing science and/or audiology research.

  • HPPH 7343 Methods in Speech Sci and Speech-Language Pathology Research I (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in the area of speech science and/or speech-language pathology research.

  • HPPH 7344 Methods in Speech Sci and Speech-Language Pathology Research I (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in the area of speech science and/or speech-language pathology research.

  • HPPH 7345 Methods in Clinical Anatomy Research (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in clinical anatomy research.

  • HPPH 7346 Methods in Clinical Behavior Research (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in clinical behavior in rehabilitation research.

  • HPPH 7347 Methods in Clinical Biomechanics Research (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in clinical biomechanics research.

  • HPPH 7348 Methods in Clinical Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in clinical musculoskeletal research.

  • HPPH 7349 Methods in Clinical Postural Control Research (3:0:3,F)

    Methods and laboratory techniques in clinical postural control research.

  • HPPH 7350 CSD Research Methods (3:0:3,F)

    This individual study course explores research methods and laboratory techniques in communication sciences and disorders. Students may repeat it for credit.

  • HPPH 7360 MSD Research Methods (3:0:3,F)

    This individual study course explores research methods and laboratory techniques in movement sciences and disorders. Students may repeat it for credit.

  • HPPH 7361 Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders (3:3:0,F)

    This course is designed to prepare students for understanding and conducting research in speech, language, and hearing sciences. Topics may include how to conduct and write a literature review, how to critically evaluate research, how to present research findings at professional meetings, and how to apply research findings in evidence-based practice.

  • HPPH 7362 Advanced Auditory Research (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar devoted to the understanding of frontier knowledge in the area of auditory research and to applying the knowledge in developing and performing research projects. May be repeated as topic varies.

  • HPPH 7363 Seminar in Language and Culture (3:3:0,F)

    Selected topics on language and culture will be explored through reading of current research in the field. Topics include psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, dialects, language variations, bilingualism, multicultural and multilingual communication, speech perception and production, and language development. May be repeated as topic varies.

  • HPPH 7364 Seminar in Speech Perception (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar devoted to the area of understanding speech. Topics will include research and clinical application of speech perception studies. May be repeated as topic varies.

  • HPPH 7365 Advanced Auditory Research II (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar devoted to the understanding of frontier knowledge in the area of auditory research and to applying the knowledge in developing and performing research projects. May be repeated as topic varies.

  • HPPH 7366 Seminar in Pediatric Audiology (3:3:0,F)

    Selected studies in infant, child, and adolescent audiology. Studies can include areas such as diagnostic audiology, aural rehabilitation in children, and educational audiology. May be repeated as topic varies.

  • HPPH 7367 Seminar in Neural Bases of Adult Communication Disorders (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar devoted to the study of the impact of neurological impairments on the speech, language, cognition, and swallowing abilities of adults. Topics will include the neural basis of dysarthria, apraxia of speech, aphasia, dementia, and dysphagia in adults. Links will be made between neural basis and clinical behavior, as well as evidence based practice interventions.

  • HPPH 7368 Seminar in Cross-disciplinary Communication Sciences Research (3:3:0,F)

    Selected studies in communication sciences, offering the opportunity to cross-disciplinary interaction between faculty and students. Studies can include speech-language pathology, audiology, speech science, hearing science, or related fields.

  • HPPH 7369 Seminar in Treatment for Adult Neurogenic Disorders (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar devoted to discussing and critically evaluating strategies for people with neurogenic communication disorders. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating efficacy of contemporary intervention techniques with individuals who have adult neurogenic communication disorders.

  • HPPH 7370 Seminar in Advanced Vestibular Issues (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar devoted to the area of understanding vestibular and balance issues. Topics include discussions about the physiological basis of the vestibular/balance system, pathophysiology of disorders, methods and evaluation of vestibular rehabilitation, and research in these areas.

  • HPPH 7371 Seminar in Brain and Language (3:3:0,F)

    The focus of this seminar is to learn about central issues in brain and language research. Emphasis will be placed on what is known about neurological basis of aphasia. Students will focus on the relationship between brain and language in terms of their scientific and methodological aspects.

  • HPPH 7372 Seminar in Speech Analysis (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar focused on analysis of speech from the perspective of production and/or perception. Analysis methods may include acoustic, physiological, linguistic, or perceptual approaches to the speech signals of normal speakers or clinical populations (children or adults), depending upon the interests of the students.

  • HPPH 7373 Analysis and Processing of Speech Signals (3:3:0,F)

    Computational analysis and synthesis of speech signals will be covered. Topics may include digital signal processing with MATLAB; analysis of frequency and temporal properties of phones, words and sentences; coding for speech recognition; speech quality analysis; and building speech-based stimuli for experiments.

  • HPPH 7374 Seminar in Dysphagia (3:3:0,F)

    Seminar focused on discussing and critically evaluating strategies for individuals with dysphagia. Evaluation strategies will be examined for validity, and intervention strategies will be evaluated for efficacy.

  • HPPH 7377 CSD Seminar (3:3:0,F)

    This seminar course explores selected communication sciences and disorders topics through reading and discussion. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7383 Biomechanics (3:3:0,F)

    Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and integrated human movement with clinically relevant applications.

  • HPPH 7384 Neuroscience (3:3:0,F)

    Functions and pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS) as a basic science course in the neurorehabilitation curriculum. The emphasis will be on "systems-level neuroanatomy, "i.e., functional neuroanatomy (e.g., motor and sensory pathways) and regional neuroanatomy (e.g., organization of spinal cord, brainstem, cerebral cortex, etc.). In addition, information processing by neurons will be addressed by coverage of axon physiology, synaptic neurotransmission and plasticity. The course will first survey the anatomical organization of the CNS, then sensory and motor functions of the CNS, and finish with a description of a number of neurological disorders that have clinical relevance to rehabilitation clinicians.

  • HPPH 7385 Motor Control in Orthopaedics (3:2:3,H)

    This course will address theory and application of motor control and learning principles to orthopaedic clinical practice. This course will emphasize motor control strategies associated with musculoskeletal function, and motor control dysfunction associated with orthopaedic pathologies. This course will integrate concepts from exercise science and experimental psychology for the explanation of relevant issues concerning motor learning and control for the orthopaedic patient. Additionally, patient management strategies derived from these priniciples will be discussed.

  • HPPH 7386 Computer Research Applications (3:3:0,F)

    This course provides an introduction to problem solving and custom program development in MATLAB for rehabilitation science research. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7387 MSD Seminar (3:3:0,F)

    This seminar course explores selected movement sciences and disorders topics through reading and discussion. Students may repeat it for credit. This course is offered face to face and online.

  • HPPH 7482 Pathophysiology (4:4:0,F)

    This course provides a survey of clinical pathophysiology and covers key concepts related to the function and biological control of cells, tissues, organs, and body systems as well as structural and functional changes in cells, tissues and organs that underlie human disease. Basic principles of pathophysiology are addressed with focus on the cause, development, progress, and consequences of diseases related to the nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and other body systems.

  • HPPH 7581 Gross Anatomy (5:6:10,F)

    An integrated study of gross human anatomy embodying gross morphology and coordinating with developmental and histological aspects of the body. Included is regional dissection with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, nervous, circulatory and respiratory systems.

  • HPPH 8000 Doctoral Dissertation (1-9:0:1-9,F)

    Research for an advanced degree. The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Rehabilitation Science is a research degree and is conferred only after recognition of high achievement in independent scientific research and scholarship.

  • HPPH 8001 Doctoral Dissertation (1-9:0:1-9,F)

    Research for an advanced degree. The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Rehabilitation Science is a research degree and is conferred only after recognition of high achievement in independent scientific research and scholarship. Graduation semester only.