The Graduate Program in Physical Rehabilitation Science is a nationally recognized program

Location:

Baltimore, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Doctorate

Specialty:

Physical Therapy

Program Overview

Program Description:

The Graduate Program in Physical Rehabilitation Science is aimed at training researchers capable of advancing the field of physical rehabilitation in order to improve the lives of people with functional impairments.

Moving beyond the typically employed paradigms, we attempt to understand the pathophysiology, pathokinesiology or motor control deficits underlying the impairments that lead to functional disability. Drawing on links with key departments within the School of Medicine and two sister Universities, the Graduate Program in Physical Rehabilitation Science offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary learning experience leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physical Rehabilitation Science.

Research Foci includes:

Developing innovative stroke rehabilitation techniques including use of robots.

Testing upper extremity, lower extremity and whole body stroke rehabilitation techniques.

Investigating underlying neuroplasticity and mechanisms of stroke recovery.

Developing and testing innovative interventions for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Investigating mechanisms of balance and falls in the frail elderly and Parkinson’s disease.

Investigating the sensorimotor integration in children with developmental coordination disorder.

Investigating aquatic therapy and exercise in breast cancer survivors and those with hip fracture.

Our integrative, progressive curriculum is nationally recognized and our students' learning experiences and outcomes are enhanced by our use of technology.  Currently we are engaged in an iPad pilot program that is helping to reshape the ways in which we communicate, collaborate and interact in the classroom.

Our student researchers have access to a faculty comprised of world renown researchers who's appointments stretch across all of the University of Maryland's departments in the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the many research centers and institutes on campus including the Center for Vaccine Development, the Institute for Genome Science and the Institute of Human Virology. Our unique, geographic proximity to the NIH, NSF, FDA, other government agencies and a thriving biotech corridor provides our student with networking, career development and collaborative opportunities that are found nowhere else.

Students accepted into any of the Graduate Program in Life Sciences' PhD programs receive financial support from NIH-funded training grants, mentor grants and/or from University of Maryland, Baltimore sources.

Currently, the stipend amount for 1st and 2nd year students is $26,000. That amount increases to $27,000 once a student passes his or her qualifying exam and advances to candidacy.  This typically occurs before the start of a student's 3rd year.

Separate from the stipend support provided are the benefits of complete tuition remission and coverage of student health insurance. This benefit package represents a cash value of nearly $11,000.00 a year that is, again, provided in addition to the annual stipend.

Financial support is ensured for the duration of time required to complete the Ph.D., which typically takes 4 to 6 years.

We invite you to take some time to explore our websites, engage us with your questions and "ask around". You'll soon find out why our student researchers thrive in the lab, publish, obtain their own grants and go onto successful careers in research, government, pharma and bio-tech, consulting, R & D, scientific journalism and more.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Requirements:

GRE scores, typically over 1000 for combined verbal and quantitative, or 1100 if either is less than 500. Statement of research interests. Letters of reference.

International Requirements:

TOEFL scores typically above 600.