Admissions

Program Menu

Financial support is limited and awards are made based on availability of funding. Applicants can learn more about program costs and funding resources on the Costs page.

Application

Application Opens

September 15, 2024

Application Closes

May 1, 2025

Application System

Students apply through the Graduate Centralized Application System (GradCAS).
The application fee is $50 (U.S.).

Prerequisites

A master’s degree in an area related to rehabilitation science from an accredited institution.
- The exceptional student with a bachelor’s degree, six or more credits of graduate course work and compelling clinical/research experience in rehabilitation science will be considered.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent in all college work is required.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE General) scores are not required.

Transfer Credits

If a student wishes to transfer credits, the student and the student’s Academic Advisor must submit a Credit Transfer Request Form to Student Services during the first year of study. Transcripts verifying the graduate courses and course descriptions must accompany the petition. The student and student’s Academic Advisor will be informed by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies which courses are acceptable as transfer credits, and this information will be placed in the student’s file. Based on University guidelines, students who transfer any credits from a master’s degree must complete the PhD within 8 years; students who do not transfer credits must complete the PhD within 10 years.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to provide transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended.

Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.

Personal Statement

An essay stating career goals, specific research interests and experience and clinical interests and experience.

Letters of Recommendation

Three to five (3-5) academic or work-related letters of recommendation (including at least one academic reference).
An additional letter of support from your Research Mentor.
- The Research Mentor’s letter should indicate how the student is known to the Mentor, a description of the student’s potential for success in the program and as a rehabilitation scientist, and how the Mentor will support the student’s dissertation research project (funding/resources).

Application Review Process

The Faculty Letter of Support must be provided by the Research Mentor directly to the SHRS Admissions Office before an application will be reviewed.
Applications will be reviewed once they have been received and completed.

Other Requirements

At least one example of written work (class project, course assignment, publication for which candidate is first author, etc.).
A resume, including work history, formal education, continuing education, licensing and certification, professional organizations, honors and awards, publications, presentations, and grants.

International Student Information

The following requirements are necessary for applicants from outside of the U.S.

For questions about the international student requirements, please reach out to the SHRS Admissions Office.

Academic Credential Evaluations

Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application.

A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.
Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States. If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.
Individual SHRS programs may have their own specific Academic Credential Evaluation requirements.

Verification of English Language Proficiency

The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency.

Verification is required unless the following apply:

The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.

Minimum Scores by Program

On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 115 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOFEL: 80

Athletic Training (MS)
Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cybersecurity (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
Occupational Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
Physical Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)
Sports Science (MS)

On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOFEL: 100

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
Communication Science and Disorders (Post-Baccalaureate)
Communication Science (PhD)
Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)
Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
Rehabilitation Science (PhD)
Speech Language Pathology (MA/MS)

Hybrid and Online Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOFEL: 100

Hybrid
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
Online
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy (CScD)
- Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice (Certificate)
- Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cyber Security (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)

How to Submit Scores

Duolingo English Test: Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code “2927”.

Rehabilitation Science (PhD)

Admissions

Application

Application Opens

Application Closes

Application System

Prerequisites

Transfer Credits

Transcripts

Personal Statement

Letters of Recommendation

Application Review Process

Other Requirements

International Student Information

Academic Credential Evaluations

Verification of English Language Proficiency

How to Submit Scores

Related Programs:

Rehabilitation Science (PhD)

Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)

Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)

Related Programs:

Rehabilitation Science (PhD)

Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)

Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)

Get More Information

Get More Information

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