PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program
Shape the Future of Rehabilitation
MGH Institute's PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program
Advancing Rehabilitation
In our PhD program, join other outstanding clinicians working to find new ways to improve the lives of patients.
Working with ALS Patients
Professor Jordan Green is studying the affect of speech on patients with ALS, as well as other feeding and swallowing issues.
Conduct High-Quality Rehabilitation Research
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 entry level clinical degree is required.
Prospective students should identify a potential Research Mentor who is willing to work with them as part of the pre-application process. There are research opportunities available [1] for PhD students beginning in Fall 2022.
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.
PhD Student Research
Erin Futrell, PT, PhD, MPT, OCS
Hannah Mercier, PhD, MS, OTR/L
Danielle K. Kline, PT, DPT, NCS
Hear from an Alumnus of the PhD Program
Advantages of the PhD Program at the MGH Institute
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.
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.
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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, Mass General Brigham (Brigham and Women's, Massachusetts General, and Spaulding Rehabilitation hospitals), and other prestigious Boston-area institutions.
Meet our faculty [6]
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.
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 to allow 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 for the first 4 years of enrollment.
Fellowships and Assistantships: Paid research fellowships may be available 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.
PhD Support [9]
