The mission of the doctorate in Human Rehabilitation is to educate individuals in research and instruction in order that they may be prepared to assume leadership and university faculty positions upon graduation. Students are provided opportunities to practice knowledge they attain in courses by conducting research, instructing at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and performing counseling supervision for masters rehabilitation counselors-in-training. The intimate size of the program affords students a chance to work closely with faculty individually and in small seminars.
Admission into the doctoral program in Human Rehabilitation is determined by the graduate faculty of the school, with final approval of the graduate dean.
All doctoral applicants must meet the following criteria for preliminary consideration:
1. Hold a master's degree from an accredited college or university, in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely allied discipline. The appropriateness of a degree in a related discipline will be determined by the graduate faculty of the school. If the student is deficient in rehabilitation counseling content, the equivalents determined by the student's program committee will be included in the plan of study.
2. Have two years of work experience (or equivalent, as determined by the school's graduate faculty) in the field of rehabilitation. This must include the minimum of one year's experience before receipt of the master's degree and completion of a minimum of two years of work experience before receipt of the doctorate.
3. Participate in a personal interview on request. Admission decisions are based on multiple criteria, without fixed weights for any individual criterion.
4. Please submit a statement of interest (double spaced, no more than 12 pages) addressing the following:
a. State why you are interested in pursuing a doctorate in the field of rehabilitation. Did any life experiences motivate you to seek this degree?
b. What is your career history and what, if any, role did it play in your decision to pursue doctoral studies?
c. What are your short-term and long-range educational and career goals? What do you hope to be doing in five years? In ten years? Beyond?
d. Express your personal attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.
e. Who do you envision your future consumers to be once you graduate?
f. Discuss your interest in conducting scholarly research, providing community service, and/or teaching in the field.
g. Explain your exposure to the field of rehabilitation. Please talk about any coursework, volunteer activities, or fieldwork you have experienced.
h. Identify your top three strengths or assets as a doctoral student. What are the primary areas in which you need to improve? We are interested, among other things, in academic, interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, planning, organizational, and work ethic skills and abilities. Do you consider yourself to be a people person? Are you creative, visionary, goal-oriented? How do you deal with stress? In short, tell us about your aptitudes as well as strengths you hope to develop.
5. Provide a current resume.