Rehabilitation Sciences


Rehabilitation Sciences: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Medicine

Degree Programs

Rehabilitation Science

MSc and PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

Rehabilitation sciences is a multidisciplinary, integrated science dedicated to the study of human function and participation and its relationship to health and well-being. Using basic and applied methods, the science is focused on phenomena at the level of the cell, muscle/brain, person, family, community, or society to develop and evaluate theories, models, processes, measures, interventions, and policies to prevent, reverse, or minimize impairments, enable activity, and facilitate participation.

The academic activities of students in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI) cover the full breadth of rehabilitation sciences with over 100 RSI faculty who are distributed throughout the University of Toronto, including teaching hospitals and research institutes.

Contact and Address

Web: www.rsi.utoronto.ca
Email: rss.rsistudents@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 946-8582
Fax: (416) 946-8762

Rehabilitation Sciences Institute
University of Toronto
Rehabilitation Sciences Building
Room 160, 500 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V7
Canada

Graduate Faculty

Graduate faculty membership information will be coming soon.


Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science MSc

The MSc program is designed for graduate students who ultimately want research-related careers in health science disciplines. It can also serve as a stepping stone on the pathway to advanced research training for students planning to pursue a PhD in Rehabilitation Science or related fields.

The MSc is mainly taken on a full-time basis. A part-time option is available in exceptional situations and applicants interested in the part-time option should contact the program to discuss this option. Part-time applicants should be aware that it is the student's responsibility to modify their work schedule to accommodate required coursework since course times are not flexible.


MSc 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 B+ average in senior-level courses in the final two years of a four-year undergraduate degree program from a recognized university, with a strong undergraduate science background including a course in research design and/or statistics. The four-year degree may be in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or a related discipline. Related disciplines include basic sciences, engineering, kinesiology, nursing, psychology, social work, sociology, and physical and health education.

  • Applicants are recommended to identify a faculty member who agrees to serve as research 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:

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • Submission of a thesis and completion of an oral examination of the thesis.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS); 15 sessions part-time
Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

 


Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science PhD

The PhD program will prepare candidates to have a career as an independent scientist; that is, graduates will feed the demand for rehabilitation scientists in government, industry, or academia 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.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of a BSc degree.


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 provided with materials regarding potential PhD supervisors. Applicants are recommended to identify a faculty member who agrees to serve as research 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:

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • REH3000H

    • REH3001H. Attendance is expected during Year 1 of the program.

    • 0.5 FCE in advanced research methods or statistics

    • 0.5 FCE in an area related to the student's thesis

  • A candidacy 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 participate full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

Transfer applicants must:

  • Be enrolled in the MSc program in Rehabilitation Science. Excellent students with high academic standing (normally a minimum A– average in MSc courses) who have clearly demonstrated the ability to do research at the doctoral level may be considered for transfer to the PhD program at the recommendation of the student's supervisory committee.

  • Have completed or be enrolled in the following courses:

  • Successfully complete a reclassification transfer exam within 18 months of starting the MSc program.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • REH1100H

    • REH1120H

    • REH1200H

    • REH2001H, which converts to REH3001H upon successful completion or the reclassification transfer exam.

    • REH3000H

    • REH3600H

    • 0.5 FCE in research methods or statistics

    • 0.5 FCE in advanced research methods or statistics

    • 1.0 FCE in an area related to the student's thesis

  • A reclassification transfer 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 participate full-time until all program requirements are completed.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

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 provided with materials regarding potential PhD supervisors. Applicants are recommended to identify a faculty member who agrees to serve as research 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:

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. A minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • REH1100H

    • REH1120H

    • REH1200H

    • REH3000H

    • REH3001H. Attendance is expected during Year 1 of the program.

    • REH3600H

    • 0.5 FCE in research methods or statistics

    • 0.5 FCE in advanced research methods or statistics

    • 1.0 FCE in an area related to the student's thesis

  • A candidacy 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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 


Rehabilitation Sciences: Rehabilitation Science MSc, PhD Courses

Since not all courses are offered each academic year, the department should be consulted each session as to course offerings.

REH1100H, REH1120H, REH1121H, REH1200H, REH1510H, REH2000H, REH2001H, REH3000H, REH3001H, REH3301H, REH3302H, REH3303H, REH3304H, REH3500H, REH3600H, REH5100H, REH5200H