This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program goal
The Ph.D. in Rehabilitation and Movement Science is an interdisciplinary degree program developed through a collaborative partnership of the departments of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The mission of this collaborative degree program is to prepare applied scientists capable of approaching multifaceted health care, preventive medicine and rehabilitation initiatives from an integrative perspective and to prepare graduates to assume research, teaching and leadership positions within rehabilitation and movement science professions.
There are two program concentrations: applied physiology and neuromusculoskeletal dynamics. The applied physiology concentration prepares individuals to conduct research, direct external funding initiatives and teach in the area of applied physiology, with particular focus on physical activity’s impact on chronic disease states. The neuromusculoskeletal dynamics concentration prepares individuals for research, teaching and clinical initiatives associated with the identification and rehabilitation of movement disorders.
Student learning outcomes
Program core learning outcomes
At the completion of the program students will:
- Develop the skills and abilities to collect and manage research data while ensuring ethical
and responsible conduct of research - Develop the ability to analyze research data and subsequently interpret and synthesize
results and draw appropriate conclusions - Demonstrate teaching effectiveness in the classroom and/or clinical environment
- Disseminate research findings effectively in oral and/or written formats
Applied physiology concentration-specific outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehensive foundational knowledge of exercise physiology
- Develop testable hypotheses and appropriate study designs to address relevant research questions in the field of exercise physiology
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Fall preferred | Applications received prior to Jan 9 will be given priority consideration; applications received following the deadline may be considered if space and resources are available. | GRE |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants must:
- Have completed at least one of a master’s degree in a related area, 30 hours of post-baccalaureate work (e.g. course work at 500 level or greater) or a first-professional degree program
- Provide official GRE score
- Submit a curriculum vitae or professional resume indicating an applicant’s educational and career experience as well as evidence of research potential
- Submit a personal statement describing goals and research interests
- Submit three letters of reference
Admission decisions are made only on the basis of a completed application packet.
Applicants being considered for admission must complete an interview with a Ph.D. admissions committee representative and/or research faculty member with whom the student would like to work.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students pursuing the Ph.D. in Rehabilitation and Movement Science must successfully complete:
- A minimum of 50 credit hours developed in conjunction with their advisers
- Written and oral comprehensive examinations
- All other university requirements of qualification for degree candidacy
- Written dissertation based on a focused line of research
- Oral defense of the dissertation
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core courses | ||
| BIOS 543 | Graduate Research Methods I | 3 |
| BIOS 544 | Graduate Research Methods II | 3 |
| REMS 690 | Research Seminar in Rehabilitation and Movement Science (.5 credit-hour course repeated for a total of 3 credits) | 3 |
| REMS 710 | Research Techniques in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | 3 |
| REMS 793 | Teaching Practicum in Higher Education | 1 |
| REMS 794 | Research Presentation Seminar (Select two of the following:) | 1 |
| Statistics and research design electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Grant Writing for Health Science Research | ||
| Clinical Epidemiology | ||
| Analysis of Biomedical Data I | ||
| Clinical Trials | ||
| Biostatistical Methods I | ||
| Quantitative Research Design | ||
| Health Services Research Methods I | ||
| Introduction to Research Design in Health and Movement Sciences | ||
| Research Methods in Developmental Psychology | ||
| Behavioral Measurement | ||
| Concentration courses | ||
| REMS 701 | Applied Physiology (Change name to Applied Physiology) | 4 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Advanced Exercise Physiology | ||
| Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology | ||
| Psychobiology of Physical Activity | ||
| Metabolic Aspects of Physical Activity | ||
| Approved electives (from list below) | 5 | |
| Dissertation research | 12 | |
| Research in Rehabilitation and Movement Science | ||
| Total Hours | 50 | |
Approved concentration electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 524 | Endocrinology | 3 |
| HEMS 610 | Laboratory Techniques in Rehabilitation Science | 3 |
| HEMS 675 | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PHTX 614 | Foundation in Psychoneuroimmunology | 3 |
| REMS 660 | Neuromuscular Performance | 3 |
| REMS 692 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| REMS 702 | Advanced Exercise Physiology (Change name to Advanced Exercise Physiology) | 3 |
| REMS 703 | Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| REMS 704 | Psychobiology of Physical Activity | 3 |
| REMS 705 | Metabolic Aspects of Physical Activity | 3 |
| REMS 707 | Programing for Rehabilitation Sciences | 3 |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 50.
Contact
R. Lee Franco, Ph.D.
Associate professor and graduate program director
francorl@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1948
Additional contact
Sheryl D.G. Finucane, Ph.D., P.T.
Assistant professor, Department of Physical Therapy
sfinucan@vcu.edu
(804) 828-0234
Program website: sahp.vcu.edu/departments/pt/prospective-students/phd-programs/rehabilitation-and-movement-science