MGH Institute of Health Professions

PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Program

The PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH Institute of Health Professions 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, focusing on assessing the effectiveness of new interventions. The MGH Institute's Interdisciplinary PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences meets this critical need by preparing experienced occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists to conduct high-quality rehabilitation research in academic, research, and health care settings.

Our interdisciplinary faculty includes leaders in rehabilitation from the MGH Institute's academic disciplines and 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.

You will be paired with a faculty researcher who has a similar focus to your 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.

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 study program 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 your doctoral fellowship.