PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science

Students in APU’s Ph.D. in Rehabilitation and Movement Science program prepare for roles as academic faculty and clinical researchers in the fields of rehabilitation and movement science.

Mission Statement

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rehabilitation and Movement Science program at Azusa Pacific University prepares graduates to practice as academic faculty and clinical researchers in the fields of rehabilitation and movement science. These graduates are guided by Christian principles and ethical values, and are critical thinkers and lifelong learners, supporting the global community and the rehabilitation and movement science profession as service-oriented practitioners. They promote excellence in patient care, are guided by a belief in human worth and dignity, and are dedicated to the optimization of human health and function.

Requirements

RMS 702Basic Biostatistics I3
RMS 703Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Theory and Methods3
RMS 704Research for the Rehabilitation and Movement Scientist3
RMS 705Instrumentation and Measurement in Rehabilitation and Movement Science3
RMS 706Leadership Theories Applied to Rehabilitation Education and Administration3
RMS 707Ethics in Education and Research3
RMS 708Literature Appraisal: Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis3
RMS 709Grant and Scientific Writing3
RMS 710Intermediate Biostatistics II3
RMS 711Concentration Independent Inquiry 13
RMS 712Mixed Methods3
RMS 714Motor Control and Motor Learning3
RMS 715Current Concepts in Pain Science3
RMS 716Biomechanical Assessment of Movement3
RMS 717Frontiers in Rehabilitation and Movement Science3
RMS 719Qualifying Examination and Research Prospectus 11
RMS 720Dissertation I: Introduction and Literature Review 13
RMS 721Dissertation II: Methods and Research Proposal 1, 23
RMS 722Dissertation III: Data Collection, Results, and Analysis 1, 33
RMS 723Dissertation IV: Discussion and Research Defense 1, 33
RMS 724Qualitative Analysis3
RMS 749Dissertation Continuation I 1, 21
RMS 750Dissertation Continuation II 1, 31
Total Units61
1

For students who have successfully completed RMS 711, RMS 719, RMS 720, RMS 721, RMS 722, and RMS 723, courses RMS 749 and RMS 750 will be available for enrollment each semester.

2

If students do not successfully complete their research proposal at the end of RMS 721 Dissertation II, they must register for RMS 749 Dissertation Continuation I for 1 unit every term until it is successfully completed.

3

After enrolling in RMS 722 Dissertation III for one semester, and RMS 723 Dissertation IV for one semester, students must enroll in RMS 750 Dissertation Continuation II for 1 unit each semester from the time their research proposal is accepted until their dissertation is approved for ProQuest submission.

Suggested Plan of Study

The following is a suggested sequence of study for students who are interested in part-time study in the rehabilitation and movement science program. This sequence is a suggestion only and can be modified based on student need and course offerings.

Plan of Study Grid
Year I
SummerUnits
RMS 705 Instrumentation and Measurement in Rehabilitation and Movement Science 3
 Units3
Fall
RMS 702 Basic Biostatistics I 3
RMS 716 Biomechanical Assessment of Movement 3
 Units6
Spring
RMS 710 Intermediate Biostatistics II 3
RMS 717 Frontiers in Rehabilitation and Movement Science 3
 Units6
Year II
Summer
RMS 707 Ethics in Education and Research 3
RMS 709 Grant and Scientific Writing 3
 Units6
Fall
RMS 703 Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Theory and Methods 3
RMS 714 Motor Control and Motor Learning 3
 Units6
Spring
RMS 704 Research for the Rehabilitation and Movement Scientist 3
RMS 715 Current Concepts in Pain Science 3
RMS 712 Mixed Methods 3
 Units9
Year III
Summer
RMS 706 Leadership Theories Applied to Rehabilitation Education and Administration 3
 Units3
Fall
RMS 711 Concentration Independent Inquiry 3
RMS 708 Literature Appraisal: Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis 3
RMS 724 Qualitative Analysis 3
 Units9
Spring
RMS 719 Qualifying Examination and Research Prospectus 1
RMS 720 Dissertation I: Introduction and Literature Review 3
 Units4
Year IV
Summer
RMS 721 Dissertation II: Methods and Research Proposal 3
 Units3
Fall
RMS 722 Dissertation III: Data Collection, Results, and Analysis 3
 Units3
Spring
RMS 723 Dissertation IV: Discussion and Research Defense 3
 Units3
 Total Units61

Admission

University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.

International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Critically evaluate and synthesize literature in rehabilitation and movement science.
    2.
  2. Disseminate and effectively communicate research findings through conferences, peer-reviewed journals and/or other appropriate recognized professional reports including oral presentations, research proposals, grant writing, dissertation, and publication.
    3.
  3. Design and implement ethical research which is innovative, methodologically sound, and contributes to the body of knowledge and/or service delivery in their individual discipline.
    4.
  4. Provide servant leadership which is effective, innovative and collaborative in education, research, service delivery, and/or policy development in their individual fields.
    5.
  5. Critically examine and apply theories and principles of effective pedagogy to deliver and assess student learning in their discipline.
    6.
  6. Apply principles of the Christian worldview to the science of education and research in their individual discipline.