Baltimore, MD, April 30, 2026 — The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), today announced the Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Rehabilitation Science Program, an online doctoral program approved in the state of Maryland and accepting applicants to begin study in Fall 2027. Designed specifically for rehabilitation professionals, the program emphasizes applied leadership, education and practice‑focused research while offering accelerated pathways for clinicians with post‑professional credentials.

Program flexibility and credit transfer

• The D.Sc. program is designed to accommodate working clinicians across disciplines, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech‑language pathology, orthotics/prosthetics, psychology (Ph.D., Psy.D.) and physiatry (M.D., D.O.) — by delivering coursework online. The program totals 54 credits and includes foundational, advanced and elective tracks that culminate in a doctoral project. D.Sc. candidates may transfer prior relevant coursework: up to nine credits for post‑master’s education (for example, D.P.T. or O.T.D.) and up to nine credits for postdoctoral training and education (such as residencies or fellowships), enabling a faster, more personalized path to degree completion.

Applied focus and career impact

• The D.Sc. program is designed to develop applied competencies that prepare graduates to lead innovation across clinical practice, education and health systems management. The curriculum prioritizes leadership and interprofessional collaboration, enabling graduates to address workforce needs and advance equitable, high-quality care in underserved and emerging areas, such as limb loss care and chronic condition management.

• Students in the D.Sc. program will be integrated into the Johns Hopkins Medicine ecosystem and will benefit from the extensive resources of the school of medicine and the PMR department. Program participants will have access to Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Medicine infrastructure, including the university’s world‑class libraries, research support services, clinical collaborations across departments, and opportunities for interprofessional learning in the Johns Hopkins network.

Admissions and audience

• The program targets mid-career rehabilitation professionals seeking leadership, clinical research or academic roles. It is designed to be flexible and affordable while fostering professional networks. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for entry. Prospective students are encouraged to review transfer credit policies and discuss prior coursework or post-professional training that may qualify for transfer. 

Institutional significance and workforce alignment

• The D.Sc. program addresses a distinct market need by offering an applied doctoral degree focused on preparing leaders for the evolving landscape of healthcare and rehabilitation practice.

• “The D.Sc. in rehabilitation science at Johns Hopkins bridges clinical expertise with applied leadership and research skills, offering working professionals a rigorous but flexible pathway to advance their impact in healthcare,” says Eric Stewart, D.P.T., Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Science Program director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Next steps and contact

• The program is approved in Maryland, and will begin accepting students for the Fall 2027 cohort. Prospective applicants, employers and partners may find program details and application instructions at Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Science | Johns Hopkins Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. For additional information, contact us at [email protected].

About the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

• The PMR department at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is committed to clinical excellence, research innovation and education across the spectrum of rehabilitation care. The D.Sc. program builds on this tradition by preparing leaders who will advance practice, education and health system transformation in ways that reflect the diverse communities they serve.