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 724 | Qualitative Analysis | 3 |
| RMS 725 | Dissertation (must be taken four times) 1, 2 | 12 |
| RMS 749 | Dissertation Continuation 1, 3 | 1 |
| RMS 798 | Doctoral Study Continuation 4 | 1 |
| Total Units | 58 | |
- 1
For students who have met the prerequisite requirements, these courses are available for enrollment each semester.
- 2
May be taken once without a prerequisite, then a passing grade must be achieved in RMS 719 prior to repeat enrollment. RMS 725 must be taken four times, after which the dissertation continuation course may be taken as needed.
- 3
If a student has not completed their dissertation, and until their dissertation is approved for ProQuest submission, they must register for this course for 1 unit every term until the dissertation coursework is successfully completed.
- 4
May be taken until a nondissertation course (e.g., RMS 711 or RMS 719) is completed. Nondissertation RMS courses are expected to be completed in the established course time frame, but in the rare occurrence a student does not finish a nondissertation RMS course, the student 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 706 | Leadership Theories Applied to Rehabilitation Education and Administration | 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 705 | Instrumentation and Measurement in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | 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 |
| Units | 1 | |
| Year IV | ||
| Summer | ||
| RMS 725 | Dissertation (must be taken four times) 1 | 12 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Total Units | 58 | |
- 1
RMS 725 is 3 units per term, taken 4 terms, for a total of 12 units.
Admission
University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admissions Information). Program-specific application requirements are available online.
International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.