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Conduct High-Quality Rehabilitation Research

The PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH IHP is designed for experienced clinicians in the rehabilitation professions who want to become trained clinical research scientists. Students accepted into the program have demonstrated success in their fields as clinicians and have a strong aptitude for further advanced graduate study and research.

Disabilities are having a growing impact on society and the economy, particularly as the population ages. As such, demand is rising for professionals who can conduct clinical research in rehabilitation, with a focus on assessing the effectiveness of new interventions. The MGH Institute's Interdisciplinary PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences is meeting this critical need by preparing experienced occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists to conduct high-quality rehabilitation research in academic, research, and/or health care settings.

View our latest informational webinar to learn more about this program.

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Advantages of the PhD Program at the MGH Institute

Study in the Hub of Health Care & Higher Education

Boston is known worldwide for being a leader in health care and higher education. Studying at the MGH Institute, you'll enjoy access to a wide array of research labs at the area’s Harvard Medical School affiliated hospitals, as well as other health care facilities. You'll also have the opportunity to supplement core coursework with classes at many of the area’s preeminent universities, including Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Graduate School of Education.   

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. Your PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences prepares you to be a part of the new wave of interprofessional research being conducted in academic and health care settings.

Tailor Your Research Specialty

Earning your PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences will allow you to pursue your specific research interests. In addition to taking the courses in the interdisciplinary core curriculum, each student chooses a mentor and supplemental course work that will provide the additional knowledge and skills needed to carry out independent research in their particular area of interest.

Learn from the Best

Our interdisciplinary faculty includes leaders in rehabilitation from the MGH Institute’s academic disciplines, as well as those at Harvard Medical School, MIT, Partners HealthCare (Brigham and Women's, Massachusetts General, and Spaulding Rehabilitation hospitals), and other prestigious Boston-area institutions. Meet our faculty.

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.

Exterior of Mass General Hospital

A Curriculum You Can Tailor to Match Your Research Interest

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 in afternoons and evenings two days a week, allowing you to devote time to mentored research experiences, and/or your doctoral fellowship.

Generous Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarships: Full tuition scholarships for courses at MGH Institute of Health Professions are given to accepted PhD students each year.

Fellowships and Assistantships: Several fellowships are available for the 2018-19 academic year to help defray living expenses. These can involve serving as research assistants on funded projects, teaching or supervising students in one of the IHP clinical education programs, or part-time clinical work at one of our clinical affiliates.

PhD Tuition & Fees

PhD Support

More Information

FAQ's

Q: What are you looking for in a candidate?

A: The PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH IHP is designed for experienced clinicians in the rehabilitation professions who want to become trained clinical research scientists. Applicants should have demonstrated success in their fields as clinicians and have a strong aptitude for further advanced graduate study and research.

Q: Do I need to be a licensed clinician in the US?

A: Yes, all applicants must be licensed to practice their clinical rehabilitation science related profession in the United States and be eligible for licensure in the state of Massachusetts.

Q: What are the advantages of obtaining a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences as opposed to a PhD within my previous field (e.g. PT, OT, or CSD)?

A: The PhD RS program has a strong inter-professional focus. All core classes are taken together so that students from various clinical backgrounds can benefit from each other’s experiences and perspectives. Given the increasing need to collaborate across professions within the research world, the doctoral program provides students the skills to succeed in this environment. While the focus of the student’s individual research concentration and projects is typically still related to their background profession, they benefit from learning from experts and mentors across a variety of rehabilitation related fields.

For more Frequently Asked Questions, download our PhD FAQs document by completing the form below.

PhD Policy Manuals

The PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Policy Manual expands on policies in the IHP Catalog. Download the policy manual in PDF format. You will need an Adobe Reader to open these PDF files. You may download the software for free.

Profiles of PhD Students

Learn more about the students who are currently studying in or have graduated from the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program.

Interdisciplinary Research Seminars

Each semester, weekly seminars for faculty and post-doctoral students are hosted by the PhD program.

Search for Housing

Explore housing listings in and around Boston; view photographs and floor plans; maps showing the housing location's proximity to the Institute campus, find a roommate and more. Search for housing on our off-campus housing site.

Contact Us

For more information about the program, please contact us at phd@mghihp.edu. 

Featured PhD Alumni

A PhD grad is among the alumni profiled in the IHP's Forty for 40 section that celebrates our 40th anniversary.