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What Is an Sc.D. Degree?

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 Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) in Rehabilitation Sciences is a post professional terminal doctoral degree designed for the 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.

Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences

The mission of the Doctor of Science program in Rehabilitation Sciences is to provide an evidence-informed post-graduate terminal academic doctoral degree designed for practicing athletic trainers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists from around the world. There is a knowledge revolution found in rehabilitation literature, advancing the boundaries of clinical science, technology, and therapeutic insight. The ScD program provides clinicians a means to participate in this revolution by preparing them to advance their clinical practice through structured learning that complements their ongoing work. We recognize that while clinical experience builds expertise, practitioners benefit from examining their established approaches through new perspectives. Our hybrid program combines foundational concepts with current evidence and emerging practices to refine treatment and critical thinking paradigms. Through guided study, mentorship, and interprofessional collaboration, clinicians develop advanced knowledge, educational and research skills, and professional competencies beyond what's achievable in entry-level programs or continuing education. This comprehensive approach leads to deeper clinical reasoning that improves both patient outcomes and professional development.

An Sc.D. Program Designed for Professionals

The Sc.D. Program in Rehabilitation Sciences at Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ 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.
• The program allows clinicians to develop relationships and share ideas in the areas of clinical practice, research, and teaching.
• 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.
• As an Sc.D. student you have the option of clinical research or clinical teaching for your clinical dissertation project.
• The curriculum serves as a potential option for continuing education units.

Advanced Rehabilitation Education With Professional Impact

The Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ Sc.D. program in Rehabilitation Sciences expects to develop professional leaders, mentors, educators, and clinical researchers.

• The previous Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy program 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 Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ School of Health Professions to offer online courses in a state other than Texas, Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ 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. Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ 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.

Careers With a Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences Degree

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.

The Sc.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences Degree Curriculum

The program is a hybrid of on-campus coursework and online learning. As an Sc.D. student, you’ll attend classes on long weekends, participating in both lecture and laboratory experiences. Your coursework is enhanced with additional web-based curriculum components including reading assignments, interactive sessions, website links, and case studies. As part of the Sc.D. Program, you will complete a clinical dissertation focused on clinical teaching or research.

Individual classes include:

• Advanced Clinical Practice for the Hip Complex.
• Sensorimotor Control Science and Practice.
• Neurological Injury in Sports and Occupation.
• Neuroscience of Pain.
• Psychological-Behavioral Aspects of Health.

Successful completion of the program culminates in the Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (Sc.D.) degree.

Learn more about the curriculum, research and clinical experiences.

I chose the ScD program at Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ because of the reputation of the school and faculty, as well as colleagues' attestations. The program strives to be the best and guides students to be the same! The faculty's passion for teaching and career development makes the choice to commit to further studies fun!

Renate Morris