Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science PhD; Field: Practice Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program will prepare candidates for a career in scientific research; that is, graduates will feed the demand for rehabilitation scientists and academic faculty in Canada and the global market. Graduates will be expected to acquire autonomy in conducting research and developing an independent research program. The program is designed to provide a broad knowledge of rehabilitation science research as well as advanced research skills and methodologies including acquisition of funding, formulation of research questions, discovery of new knowledge, data collection, analysis and interpretation, scholarly presentation, and publication and translation of knowledge for consumption by appropriate stakeholders.

The program is offered in the following fields: 1) Movement Science; 2) Occupational Science; 3) Practice Science; 4) Rehabilitation Health Services Studies; 5) Rehabilitation Technology Sciences; and 6) Social and Cognitive Rehabilitation Sciences.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree or 2) direct entry following completion of a BSc degree.

 

Field: Practice Science

Effective January 2021, admissions to the field in Practice Science have been administratively suspended.

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants must have graduated with a minimum A– from a relevant thesis-based master’s program, such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Speech-Language Pathology.

  • Applicants must submit the following along with their application: a letter of intent, two confidential reference letters that indicate the applicant’s preparation and competence to conduct research, and curriculum vitae.

  • Applicants may be counselled prior to admission and provided with materials regarding potential PhD supervisors. Applicants must identify a faculty member who has agreed to serve as research supervisor. The research supervisor is expected to examine a completed thesis and/or manuscripts and university transcripts.

  • Well-qualified students with excellent research potential holding a BSc degree may be considered for direct admission to the PhD program. These applicants must:

    • Have a minimum A+/A average (GPA 4.0) in an undergraduate program from a recognized university;

    • Have previous relevant research experience, outstanding references, and a personal recommendation from a potential supervisor.

  • Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) with the following minimum scores:

      • paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5 on the TWE

      • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT): 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 7.5.

    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

    • U of T School of Continuing Studies academic preparation: see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. A minimum of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • REH3100H Advanced Rehabilitation Research Issues or equivalent (0.5 FCE) if an equivalent was not taken at the master's level.

    • REH3001Y0 Advanced Rehabilitation Presentation and Proceedings (1.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit). Attendance is expected during the first two years of the program. Students remain enrolled and are encouraged to attend until completion of the degree.

    • REH3301H Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation: Foundational Knowledge and Innovative Applications (0.5 FCE).

    • REH3302H Determinants of Rehabilitation Practice (0.5 FCE).

    • REH3303H Rehabilitation Clinical Practicum (0.5 FCE).

    • An advanced research methods course (0.5 FCE).

    • Students may be required to take extra courses in addition to the degree requirements listed above.

  • A comprehensive examination, with written and oral components, to be taken in the first 18 months of the program.

  • Completion and defence of a thesis.

  • Students are encouraged to participate in student and faculty research seminars in addition to their regular course requirements.

  • Residence. Students are expected to be on campus and participating full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

0 Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Well-qualified students with excellent research potential holding a BSc degree may be considered for direct admission to the PhD program. These applicants must:

    • Have a minimum A+/A average (GPA 4.0) in an undergraduate program from a recognized university;

    • Have previous relevant research experience, outstanding references, and a personal recommendation from a potential supervisor.

  • Applicants must submit the following along with their application: a letter of intent, two confidential reference letters that indicate the applicant’s preparation and competence to conduct research, and curriculum vitae.

  • Applicants may be counselled prior to admission and provided with materials regarding potential PhD supervisors. Applicants must identify a faculty member who has agreed to serve as research supervisor. The research supervisor is expected to examine a completed thesis and/or manuscripts and university transcripts.

  • Applicants who were educated outside Canada, whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) with the following minimum scores:

      • paper-based TOEFL: 600 and 5 on the TWE

      • Internet-based TOEFL (IBT): 100/120 and 22/30 on the writing and speaking sections.

    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 7.5.

    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

    • U of T School of Continuing Studies academic preparation: see General Regulations, 4.3 English-Language Proficiency.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. A minimum of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • REH3100H Advanced Rehabilitation Research Issues or equivalent (0.5 FCE) if an equivalent was not taken at the master's level.

    • REH3001Y0 Advanced Rehabilitation Presentation and Proceedings (1.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit). Attendance is expected during the first two years of the program. Students remain enrolled and are encouraged to attend until completion of the degree.

    • REH3301H Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation: Foundational Knowledge and Innovative Applications (0.5 FCE).

    • REH3302H Determinants of Rehabilitation Practice (0.5 FCE).

    • REH3303H Rehabilitation Clinical Practicum (0.5 FCE).

    • REH1100H Theory and Research in Rehabilitation Science (0.5 FCE).

    • REH1120H Research Methods for Rehabilitation Science (0.5 FCE).

    • REH1130H Theory and Research in Occupational Science or REH1140H Theory and Research in Physical Therapy (0.5 FCE).

    • An advanced research methods course (0.5 FCE).

    • Students may be required to take extra courses in addition to the degree requirements listed above.

  • A comprehensive examination, with written and oral components, to be taken in the first 2.5 years of the program.

  • Completion and defence of a thesis.

  • Students are encouraged to participate in student and faculty research seminars in addition to their regular course requirements.

  • Residence. Students are expected to be on campus and participating full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

0 Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.