Format

The program is online with a small in-person component that will require travel to our Baltimore campus twice over the length of the program. The in-person component includes two immersive sessions where students will attend lectures, present research and interact with faculty and classmates. Dates for the immersive sessions will be posted approximately one year in advance. Alternative participation will be considered for those unable to attend in person.

Most courses are asynchronous. Faculty have office hours.

Academic Calendar

Our academic calendar is broken into three semesters: fall, spring and summer. Each semester consists of two eight-week terms. Our program is designed so that students can take one class per term, which is two classes in a semester except for summer or five classes a year. Our length of program estimates are based on taking two courses each in Fall and Spring semesters and one course in the summer. 

Without transferring any credits and skipping any terms, the program will include 19 courses and will take three to four years to complete. However, each student can work with their faculty adviser to develop a study plan that works for their personal timeline.

Courses and Credits

The curriculum integrates advanced coursework in leadership, healthcare systems, policy, and evidence-based practice. Minimum of 54 graduate credits are required to complete the program. The credits can be earned by completing a combination of required and elective courses:

• Foundational courses (9 credits, transfer-eligible)
• Core courses (15 credits, required for all students)
• Elective courses (21 credits, 9 credits transfer-eligible)
• Capstone (9 credits, required for all students)

Foundations of Rehabilitation Science

Credits: 9
Transfer Eligible: 9 

Students may transfer up to 9 credits for foundational courses from prior doctoral or post-master’s coursework. 

• Professionalism and Ethical Practice in Health Care (3 credits)  
• Evidence-Based Decision-Making in Rehabilitation Science (3 credits)  
• Foundations of Systems-Based Practice (3 credits) 

Core Curriculum

Credits: 15 (all required)
Transfer eligible: none 

All students complete foundational courses in interprofessional rehabilitation science competencies. 

• Data Analysis: Quantitative, Qualitative, or Mixed Methods (minimum of two courses/6 credits, taken in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)  
• Personal Leadership Development (3 credits)  
• Communication and Collaboration for Healthcare Leaders (3 credits)  
• Foundations of Learning Science: Evidence-Based Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (3 credits)

Capstone Project

Credits: 9 (all required)
Transfer eligible: none

The capstone sequence provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to a scholarly project relevant to rehabilitation science. Students complete a doctoral dissertation or capstone project tailored to their area of interest. Examples include but aren’t limited to: 

• Education focus: Create and implement a program assessment plan for an innovative health professions education curriculum.
• Leadership focus: Create and execute a strategic plan for healthcare innovation or leadership. 
• Clinical research focus: Conduct and publish original research addressing a clinical question or challenge. 

The capstone is broken into three courses that should be taken consecutively over three graduate quarters:

• Proposal Development (3 credits) 
• Project Implementation (3 credits) 
• Dissemination and Impact (3 credits)