Conduct Health and Rehabilitation Research; Make an Impact on Practice

The PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH Institute of Health Professions trains scientists to conduct research in health and rehabilitation-related fields. Our program provides a unique, interdisciplinary environment and welcomes applicants with backgrounds in fields related to health and/or rehabilitation, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, biomedical engineering, medicine, nursing, and other health-related disciplines. A graduate degree (MS or MA) or entry-level clinical degree is required.

A PhD in Rehabilitation Science degree prepares you for a career in research, education, or as a leader in health and rehabilitation science. Our PhD students work in a 1:1 mentorship model with experienced faculty, engage in groundbreaking research in state-of-the-art facilities, and contribute to evidence-based practices that improve care and health for children and adults. Accepted students receive a full tuition scholarship for IHP courses for the first 4 years of enrollment. Competitive funding packages, including research fellowships, are available to qualified applicants.

Curriculum Plan

Our program's core curriculum focuses on developing fundamental clinical research skills across rehabilitation disciplines. Since there are a minimum number of specific course requirements, you can design a program of study tailored to your research interests and career plans. Courses are scheduled to allow you to devote time to mentored research experiences, and/or your doctoral fellowship.

View Curriculum Plan

33 core credits are required. 9 credits of electives (typically three additional 3-credit courses) are required and can be fulfilled by taking RS 990 (Independent Study) or by approval of transfer credit for courses taken at other institutions per prior arrangement with each student's Academic Advisory Committee.

The dissertation phase of the program will be initiated after passing a Qualifying Examination, which typically is scheduled after students have completed 6 consecutive semesters of coursework.

Students are required to register for a 1-credit continuing student course (RS 998) for each semester during the dissertation phase of their program.

Dissertation Details

The dissertation comprises a series of papers formatted and submitted for publication to peer-reviewed journals along with an introductory chapter and an overall conclusions chapter.

This approach is modeled after the format that has been used successfully for some time in several European and Scandinavian countries and is being increasingly adopted by academic departments in the United States as a way to facilitate the publication of dissertation research.

The final product must be successfully presented and defended orally before a Dissertation Committee comprising faculty with expertise in areas related to the dissertation topic.

Student performance in the didactic courses in the core curriculum and elective coursework will be primarily evaluated using traditional approaches including formal testing, projects/problem sets, and/or written assignments/term papers. Students must maintain a B (80%) average in these courses to continue in the PhD program. Mentored experiences in teaching and research will be assessed on a pass-fail basis.

Mentorship

You'll be paired with a faculty researcher who has a similar focus to your own interests. Moving forward, your mentor will:

  • Assist you with course selection.
  • Supervise your research in his or her lab.
  • Guide your independent research.
  • Advise you on dissertation preparation.

Your mentor will be available to cultivate your career as a professional researcher.

 

Required for Getting Started

As part of the pre-application process, prospective students should identify a potential Research Mentor who is willing to work with them as part of the pre-application process. View available research opportunities.

Overview of the Application Process

This is a mentor-based training program. In order to be admitted, a student must have a Research Mentor identified. The Research Mentor is an experienced/active investigator who is engaged in well-established programs of research that align with the interests of the student. The Research Mentor may be an IHP Faculty member or adjunct professor with a primary affiliation at another institution. The Research Mentor must formally commit to providing the time, training, and mentorship necessary for the student to develop and execute a successful dissertation.

Applicants should reach out to potential Research Mentor(s) with their qualifications (e.g. resume/CV, transcript) and potential research interests prior to official application submission. 

Applicants will be asked to input the name of the proposed Research Mentor when completing the official application process.

Application Deadline: Rolling Admission. Priority deadline Dec 2, 2024. Students who have identified a potential research mentor can continue to apply through Spring 2025. 

Apply Now

The PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH Institute of Health Professions trains scientists to conduct research in health and rehabilitation-related fields. Applicants may be clinicians in a health or rehabilitation field (e.g., physical or occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, nursing, medicine) or scientists, engineers, or other professionals seeking advanced graduate study and interprofessional research training. A graduate degree (MS or MA) or graduate-level clinical degree (e.g. DPT, SLPD, OTD) is required.

Applicants are required to submit a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will only be required prior to enrolling in the program.

The Office of Admission strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent directly via email to admissions [at] mghihp.edu (admissions[at]mghihp[dot]edu). If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts be sent to the mailing address listed below:

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document the minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Interest, Preparation, and Goals Statements

Applicants will respond to a collection of short answer questions related to program choice, research interests, preparation for doctoral studies, diversity, and inclusion (each one paragraph, 250-300 words maximum per question. Please upload one document, with all questions answered, to your application).

  1. Describe the reasons you have chosen to apply to our PhD Program at the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP).
  2. Describe your specific area(s) of research interest and how these interests align with your proposed Research Mentor.
  3. How have your academic, personal, and/or work experiences influenced your decision to pursue a PhD?
  4. How will completion of a PhD at the IHP assist you in reaching your professional goals?
  5. What personal characteristics will you bring to PhD studies that will contribute to your success in the program and to achieving your professional goals? Include your perceptions of the ways you may enrich the diversity of thought and perspective at the IHP and/or contribute to the experience of the IHP as a welcoming and inclusive place to learn.

Recommendation Letters

Applicants will be asked to send recommendation request forms to (2) references, one academic and one academic/professional preferred through the application system. The proposed research mentor will be asked to send a third letter of recommendation to Admissions once the application is complete.

Resume or CV

Applicants are required to submit a current resume or CV.

Is the GRE required for admission?

No. This test is not required for admission.

Is a research mentor required for all students?

Yes, we require agreement from a qualified and approved research mentor. See our list of potential PhD mentors or research opportunities for listings of open opportunities. You may also view our current IHP faculty to identify people with common interests to explore mutual interests, the availability of faculty members to mentor incoming students, and potential doctoral fellowship funding.

Where can I find more information on the admissions requirements and program particulars?

If you have any questions related to the application process we also strongly encourage you to contact the admissions [at] mgihp.edu (subject: PhD%20in%20Rehabilitation%20Sciences%20application%20process) (Office of Admission) who in coordination with the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program, will be happy to assist.

What is your mailing address?

MGH Institute of Health Professions
Office of Enrollment Services
36 1st Ave.
Charlestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA 02129

IHP Tuition Scholarship

All accepted PhD RS students will receive a full tuition scholarship for IHP courses for the first 4 years of enrollment. This does not include program fees.

IHP Research Fellowships

Research fellowships are a cornerstone of our program, providing students with hands-on experience while supporting their financial needs. Fellowships are funded by the MGH Institute, principal investigators, and collaborating institutions. The fellowships are part of our efforts to recruit exceptional doctoral candidates and provide them with the resources they need to succeed. Being funded on a full research fellowship at the MGH Institute comes with numerous benefits:

  • Tuition Award: Covers the full tuition of the PhD program (excluding fees).
  • Laptop: A computer to support your research studies.  

We also offer various types of assistantships including teaching assistants, research assistants, and graduate research assistants.

External Fellowships and Awards

We encourage and support our PhD students to seek external funding opportunities:

Eligibility: Typically available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Funds to support international applicants are more limited. International applicants are urged to seek financial support from their national governments and fellowship agencies.

 

Learn More About Tuition & Aid

Funding FAQs

Corporate funding is available from many companies and businesses that have created scholarships, fellowships, and tuition reimbursement/remission programs for their employees. Employees of Mass General Brigham, for example, can access the organization’s tuition assistance program

Student loans are also available via two primary sources, federal and private loans. For federal student loans, graduate students may borrow funds from the federal government under two loan programs—the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program—based on their eligibility (e.g., financial need, credit load, etc.).  Private loans are available from various financial institutions (e.g., banks and credit unions) in the form of unsecured educational loans to graduate students. These loans must be repaid with interest. The interest rates, loan amount, and repayment terms are based on the credit worthiness of the borrower.

Part time employment may be another source of income for graduate students who apply for and gain jobs during their training. These jobs could be with the IHP as a Graduate Assistant or outside of that entity if the program and its workload permits/accommodates work outside of school. Some PhD students enrolled at the MGH Institute have worked part-time within Mass General Brigham.  Another option would be working as a Teaching Assistant or Term Lecturer; these positions would be obtained through the specific department of your specialty.

In Massachusetts, college students enrolled 75% or more are required by law to have health insurance. This includes all students who have matriculated in a degree-granting program, such as the PhD program, and all international students on a J1 or F1 Visa. Students will be automatically charged and enrolled in the MGH Institute’s student health insurance plan but may submit a waiver request if they have another insurance plan that meets the required waiver criteria. 

There are several options to explore when looking for the best health insurance option to meet your needs. First, students under 26 years of age may elect to stay covered on a parent’s plan. Some students, alternatively, obtain coverage through a spouse or partner’s health insurance plan. 

All students at the MGH Institute can enroll in MGH IHP's student health insurance plan, which is carried by Commercial Casualty Insurance Company and administered by University Health Plans.  The student health insurance plan offers medical insurance, and there is additional coverage for optional student vision and dental plans. For Ph.D. students who receive MGH Institute Research Fellowship Awards, they can request credits to help offset the costs of the Institute’s student insurance plan.   

Students who live in Massachusetts can also enroll in an individual or family plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector. Many students qualify for low-priced plans, so you are encouraged to complete an online application through the Health Connector to see if you qualify for MassHealth, tax credits to help pay premium costs, or ConnectorCare plans.  
 

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Study in the hub of healthcare & higher education

Studying at the MGH Institute, you'll enjoy access to cutting-edge research labs in prestigious Boston hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as the opportunity to take additional classes at preeminent universities.

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An Interdisciplinary Framework

Your classmates and professors come from a variety of rehabilitation backgrounds. This diverse mix offers you a variety of perspectives and enhances your understanding of other disciplines.

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Tailor Your Research Specialty

In addition to the interdisciplinary core curriculum, each Rehabilitation Sciences PhD student chooses a mentor and the supplemental course work needed to prepare you to carry out independent research in a particular area of interest.

Talk to a Current Student

If you are interested in learning about the program from a student, take a look at the profiles these current PhD students and choose one who aligns with your research interests. Feel free to reach out directly!

Amber LaMarca PT, DPT

Research Fellow Behavior, Abilities, and Technology Lab (B-ABLE)

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PhD Student SAiL Literacy Lab Lecturer, Speech Language and Acquisition, Introductory Statistics Online Prerequisites for the Health Professions

Meredith Rogazzo, PT, DPT

PhD Student PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

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PhD Student MGH Healey Center for ALS