PhD in 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
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| RMS 702 | Basic Biostatistics I | 3 |
| RMS 703 | Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Theory and Methods | 3 |
| RMS 704 | Research for the Rehabilitation and Movement Scientist | 3 |
| RMS 705 | Instrumentation and Measurement in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | 3 |
| RMS 706 | Leadership Theories Applied to Rehabilitation Education and Administration | 3 |
| RMS 708 | Literature Appraisal: Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis | 3 |
| RMS 709 | Grant Proposal and Scientific Writing | 3 |
| RMS 710 | Intermediate Biostatistics II | 3 |
| RMS 711 | Concentration Independent Inquiry 1 | 3 |
| RMS 712 | Mixed Methods | 3 |
| RMS 714 | Neurophysiology of Motor Control | 3 |
| RMS 715 | Current Concepts in Pain Science | 3 |
| RMS 716 | Biomechanical Assessment of Movement | 3 |
| RMS 717 | Frontiers in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | 3 |
| RMS 719 | Dissertation Qualifying Examination and Research Prospectus 1 | 1 |
| RMS 720 | Dissertation I: Introduction and Literature Review 1 | 3 |
| RMS 721 | Dissertation II: Methods and Research Proposal 1, 2 | 3 |
| RMS 722 | Dissertation III: Data Collection, Results, and Analysis 1, 2 | 3 |
| RMS 723 | Dissertation IV: Discussion and Research Defense 1, 2 | 3 |
| RMS 724 | Qualitative Analysis | 3 |
| RMS 749 | Dissertation Continuation 1, 2 | 1 |
| RMS 798 | Doctoral Study Continuation 3 | 1 |
| Total Units | 58 | |
- 1
For students who have met the prerequisite requirements, RMS 711, RMS 719, RMS 720, RMS 721, RMS 722, RMS 723, and RMS 749 will be available for enrollment each semester.
- 2
If a student has not completed any Dissertation Course (RMS 720, RMS 721, RMS 722, or RMS 723) and until their dissertation is approved for ProQuest submission, they must register for RMS 749 Dissertation Continuation for 1 unit every term until the dissertation coursework is successfully completed.
- 3
RMS 798 may be taken until a non-dissertation course is completed (e.g., RMS 711 or RMS 719). Non-dissertation RMS courses are expected to be completed in the established course time frame. In the rare occurrence a student does not finish a non-dissertation RMS course, they may take RMS 798.
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.
| Year I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Units | |
| RMS 705 | Instrumentation and Measurement in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| RMS 702 | Basic Biostatistics I | 3 |
| RMS 716 | Biomechanical Assessment of Movement | 3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| RMS 710 | Intermediate Biostatistics II | 3 |
| RMS 717 | Frontiers in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | 3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Year II | ||
| Summer | ||
| RMS 709 | Grant Proposal and Scientific Writing | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| RMS 703 | Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Theory and Methods | 3 |
| RMS 714 | Neurophysiology of Motor Control | 3 |
| Units | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| RMS 704 | Research for the Rehabilitation and Movement Scientist | 3 |
| RMS 715 | Current Concepts in Pain Science | 3 |
| RMS 712 | Mixed Methods | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Year III | ||
| Summer | ||
| RMS 706 | Leadership Theories Applied to Rehabilitation Education and Administration | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| RMS 711 | Concentration Independent Inquiry | 3 |
| RMS 708 | Literature Appraisal: Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis | 3 |
| RMS 724 | Qualitative Analysis | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| RMS 719 | Dissertation Qualifying Examination and Research Prospectus | 1 |
| RMS 720 | Dissertation I: Introduction and Literature Review | 3 |
| Units | 4 | |
| Year IV | ||
| Summer | ||
| RMS 721 | Dissertation II: Methods and Research Proposal | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| RMS 722 | Dissertation III: Data Collection, Results, and Analysis | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| RMS 723 | Dissertation IV: Discussion and Research Defense | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Total Units | 58 | |
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.