Program Overview
The Sc.D. Program in Rehabilitation Sciences at TTUHSC is tailored to practicing clinicians who want to continue their post-professional education:
- Admission is open to clinicians holding a bachelor's or master's, or doctor's degree in athletic training, occupational therapy, or physical therapy.
- The program provides an advanced clinical curriculum that includes concepts from biomechanical, tissue specific, and motor control models that relate to a myriad of rehabilitation settings and patient populations.
- The hybrid curriculum is presented in a weekend course format with web-based course enhancement.
- As an Sc.D. student you have the option of clinical research or clinical teaching for your clinical dissertation project.
- You are encouraged to continue with your clinical employment while enrolled. Your professional work setting is the ideal setting for applying what you learn in the program.
- The curriculum serves as a potential option for continuing education units.
- The program allows clinicians to develop relationships and share ideas in the areas of clinical practice, research, and teaching.
The TTUHSC Sc.D. program in Rehabilitation Sciences expects to develop professional leaders, mentors, educators, and clinical researchers.
- The program has allowed more than 45% of its graduates to gain faculty positions in entry-level physical therapy education programs.
- Over 30% developed into post-professional educators outside the formal academic setting. These individuals continue to work in clinical settings while serving as educators to other clinicians through workshops or continuing education courses.
- Several program graduates are serving in an academic leadership capacity, and many have transitioned into clinical director or clinical owner positions.
For more information, please reach out to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806) 743-3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.
For TTUHSC School of Health Professions to offer online courses in a state other than Texas, TTUHSC must first comply with that state's requirements. These requirements differ from state to state, with requirements being more rigorous and expensive in some states than others. TTUHSC SHP is currently working to gain authorization to offer online courses in all states. Please check your state’s individual requirements before enrolling in any online courses.
- 4 years estimated time to completion
- 10 estimated class size
Curriculum & Coursework
During the course of study, Sc.D. students will attend courses on long weekends. During these courses they will participate in both lecture and laboratory experiences. Courses will be enhanced with web-based curriculum components that include reading assignments, interactive sessions, Website links, and case studies. Students in the Sc.D. Program will complete a clinical dissertation focused on clinical teaching or research.
View the available courses below.
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Clinical Topics Course Designation Credit Hours
HPDS 6321 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Shoulder Complex 3 hours
HPDS 6324 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Hip Complex 3 hours
HPDS 6325 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Knee Complex 3 hours
HPDS 6326 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Ankle & Foot 3 hours
HPDS 6336 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Elbow/Forearm, Wrist, and Thumb Complex 3 hours
HPDS 6333 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Cervical Spine 3 hours
HPDS 6334 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Thoracic Spine, Ribs, and TOS 3 hours
HPDS 6335 Advanced Clinical Practice for Lumbosacral Disorders 3 hours
HPDS 6340 Advanced Soft Tissue Management: Fascial Diagnosis and Treatment 3 hours
HPDS 6342 Advanced Soft Tissue Management: Topics in Dry Needling 3 hours
HPDS 6360 Functional Evaluation and Management of the Upper Quarter 3 hours
HPDS 6361 Functional Evaluation and Management of the Lower Quarter 3 hours
HPDS 6362 Functional Evaluation and Management of Persistent Pain 3 hours
HPDS 6363 Advanced Therapeutic Exercise 3 hours
HPDS 6364 Neurological Injury in Sports and Occupation 3 hours
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Elective Topics Course Designation Credit Hours
HPDS 6110 Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (Required for Bachelor’s) 1 hour
HPDS 6303 Basic & Applied Science in Orthopaedics 3 hours
HPDS 6304 Medical Screening for Rehabilitation Sciences 3 hours
HPDS 6305 Updates in Orthopaedics Surgical Management - Spine and Lower Extremity 3 hours
HPDS 6306 Updates in Orthopaedics Surgical Management - Upper Extremity and Pain 3 hours
HPDS 6310 Performance Enhancement and Resiliency 3 hours
HPDS 6311 Clinical Studies in Anatomy (a lab course) 3 hours
HPDS 6312 Neuroscience of Pain 3 hours
HPDS 6313 Biomechanics in Orthopaedics 3 hours
HPDS 6314 Sensorimotor Control Science and Practice 3 hours
HPDS 6317 Diagnostic Imaging 3 hours
HPDS 6318 Cultural Determinants of Health/Health Disparities 3 hours
HPDS 6319 Psychological-Behavioral Aspects of Health 3 hours
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Research Track Courses Course Designation Credit Hours
HPDS 7201 Introduction to Scholarship in Rehabilitation Sciences 2 hours
HPDS 7306 Advanced Statistics in Health Professions 3 hours
HPDS 7301 Seminar in Clinical Research Design 3 hours
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Education Track Courses Course Designation Credit Hours
HPDS 7201 Introduction to Scholarship in Rehabilitation Sciences 2 hours
HPDS 7304 Educational Evaluation in Health Professions 3 hours
HPDS 7305 Curriculum Design & Teaching in Health Professions 3 hours
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Clinical Dissertation Courses Course Designation Credit Hours
HPDS 7000 Clinical Dissertation 3 hours
HPDS 7104 Clinical Dissertation Presentation 1 hour
Program Term Application Deadlines
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Term |
Applications Open |
Application Deadline |
First Day of Term |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SUMMER |
JAN 1 |
APR 1 |
MAY TBA |
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FALL |
MAR 1 |
JUL 20 |
AUG TBA |
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SPRING |
AUG 1 |
DEC 5 |
JAN TBA |
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants for the Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences program must complete the TTUHSC SHP online application.
Application Fee
A non-refundable $75 application fee is required and may be paid by credit card through the online application system.
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, make it payable to TTUHSC and mail it to:
Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, MS 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430
Your application will move forward in the admissions review process after your application fee has been received.
Transcripts
Paper Transcripts: Transcripts must be in an official sealed envelope by the institution and sent to our mailing address:
TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430
Email PDF Transcripts: Submit official electronic transcripts from every college or university attended directly from the institution or an approved third-party transcript service to shp.application@ttuhsc.edu.
Please note:
Do not send transcripts to Texas Tech University, as TTUHSC is a separate institution and doing so will delay application processing.
Official TTUHSC transcripts are not required; official Texas Tech University transcripts are required.
Transcripts from international institutions must include an official course-by-course evaluation from a recognized Foreign Transcript Evaluation Service.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required application materials, including updated transcripts, are received by the application deadline.
Admissions Requirements
The online application and all supporting documentation must be received by the deadline.
Official GRE Scores
The GRE is not required for the ScD program in Rehabilitation Sciences.
Degree
A Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral Professional degree in Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy is required for admission into the ScD Program.
Minimum GPA
A minimum GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for a graduate degree. OR a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of coursework.
Clinical Practice
Applicants must be currently practicing as an athletic trainer, occupational therapist, or physical therapist, where at least one year of clinical experience is required.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be complete and should be completed by the following: one from an employer or former university educator and one from a colleague in the health professions. Letters of recommendation are submitted through the SHP online application. A recommender's name and email address will be required. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to our recommendation form for them to submit electronically. Please do not submit letter of recommendation forms from other institutions.
Resume
A current resume is required to be submitted. You will submit this through the online application.
Essay
An essay is required as part of the application.
International Applicants
If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the United States, please refer to our International Applicants webpage for the additional requirements needed for your application.
Application Process
Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the program. Individual applications are reviewed once materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Applicants who meet the above listed requirements and are deemed competitive candidates for admission will be invited for interviews.
Interviews
Admission interviews are granted by the ScD admissions committee by invitation only. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents.
Application Submission Checklist
- Online Application
- Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation - Two required
- Resume
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.
Cost & Aid
Access information about tuition and fees, along with scholarships and financial aid resources, to help you plan and finance your education at TTUHSC.
Tuition & Fees
The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regent action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition information should be used only as a guideline for estimating charges.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. TTUHSC relies on a variety of financial aid sources to increase the university's affordability. This may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and waivers. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.
Additional Resources
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The Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences degree is a career gateway into professional leadership, mentoring, teaching and research opportunities. The Sc.D. program’s broad clinical emphasis encourages clinicians from every setting to acknowledge and refine past experiences and concepts that lead to innovation and improved patient care. These reflections will also prepare you to transition into mentoring roles to colleagues as well as leadership roles in professional, clinical and academic settings.
The Sc.D. is a degree with practical career impact:
- The program provides the toolsets necessary for clinical and academic teaching and collaborative research that advance the rehabilitation sciences profession.
- The advanced critical knowledge and clinical reasoning gained in the program allow practitioners to thrive in rapidly evolving practice settings with competency and expertise.
- The program opens options for post-professional residency and fellowship director opportunities.
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A Doctor of Science degree is a terminal academic degree awarded in recognition of a substantial and sustained contribution to scientific knowledge. It is similar to a Doctor of Philosophy in terms of telling people about your mastery of a particular field of study. The Doctor of Science is the highest academic degree awarded to disciplines in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The TTUHSC Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) in Rehabilitation Sciences is a post-professional terminal doctoral degree designed for you, the practicing clinician. There is a knowledge revolution found in rehabilitation literature, advancing the boundaries of clinical science, technology, and therapeutic insight. The Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences program provides you a means to participate in this revolution by contributing to the growth and development of novel evidence-based practice as well as through refinement of current concepts and ideas that together foster innovation and effective care.
Request Information
Contact Us
Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
School of Health Professions - Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
-
Address
3601 4th Street Lubbock
Lubbock, TX 79430
United States
- Phone (806) 743-3220
- Email health.professions@ttuhsc.edu
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Hours
Mon. - Fri.
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.