i

Rehabilitation Science PhD Program

Program Administration

Program Director
David D. Fuller, PhD
Professor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 352-273-6634
Office: HPNP Building Room 1153
Please contact Dr. Fuller regarding any questions or concerns regarding the program. In addition, Dr.
Fuller would like to hear about your successes (e.g., grants, publications, presentations, etc.)

Program Coordinator
Laura Quintana
Coordinator, Academic Support Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 352-273-6106
Office: HPNP Building Room 1155

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 Table of Contents
Rehabilitation Science PhD Program ................................................................................................ ii
Program Administration ................................................................................................................................. ii
Program Overview ............................................................................................................................. vi
Rehabilitation Science PhD Student Milestones ........................................................................... viii
I. How to Use this Manual ................................................................................................................... 1
II. Rehabilitation Science Program: Introduction & Rationale ........................................................ 1
III. Rehabilitation Science Program: Mission Statement ................................................................. 1
IV. Student Mentors and the Rehabilitation Science Student Organization .................................. 2
V. Expectation of the faculty mentor ................................................................................................. 2
VI. Yearly Evaluations ......................................................................................................................... 2
VII. Travel Awards ............................................................................................................................... 2
VIII. Degree Progression and Monitoring .......................................................................................... 3
Initial Advisor/Chair of Supervisory Committee .............................................................................................. 3
Formation of the Supervisory Committee ....................................................................................................... 3
Adding a Graduate Minor ............................................................................................................................... 4
Qualifying Exam ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Dissertation Proposal..................................................................................................................................... 6
Admission to Candidacy ................................................................................................................................ 6
Dissertation.................................................................................................................................................... 6
Publication Requirement ................................................................................................................................ 7
Monitoring of Progress towards the Degree ................................................................................................... 7
Period of Required Study in Residence at the University of Florida ............................................................... 8
Courses and Credits ...................................................................................................................................... 8
IX. Course Requirements ................................................................................................................... 8
Courses related to Rehabilitation Science Application (10 credits)................................................................. 8
Courses related to Rehabilitation Science Teaching (6 credits) ..................................................................... 9
Courses related to Research Methods and Statistics (13 credits) ................................................................ 10
Research Courses (31 credits) .................................................................................................................... 10
Movement Science Concentration: Typical Course Sequence (18 credits) .................................................. 11
Disability Science Concentration: Typical Course Sequence ....................................................................... 13
Journal Clubs............................................................................................................................................... 13
Public Health Requirement ...................................................................................................................... 14
Elective Course Work (14 credits) ............................................................................................................ 14
Fourteen credits are elective/minor courses. Course descriptions and availabilities change frequently. For
the most up-to-date offerings outside of the Rehabilitation Science program, please consult the University
of Florida schedule of courses and your advisor. PHC 6937: Introduction to Public Health for the Health
Professions (taken for credit) and PHC 6001- Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health may count
toward the elective course requirement.................................................................................................... 14
Maximum Enrollment ............................................................................................................................... 15
PhD Program Example Course Sequence ................................................................................................... 16
X. Previous Graduate Study and Credit Transfer ........................................................................... 17
XI. Minor in Rehabilitation Science ................................................................................................. 17
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XII. Non-Traditional Degree Programs ............................................................................................ 17
DPT to PhD ................................................................................................................................................. 17
Non-traditional Degree Program: PhD-MPH ................................................................................................ 17
PhD-MPH Admission Requirements ............................................................................................................ 17
Special Program Documentation ................................................................................................................. 18
Contact the Program Coordinator for appropriate paperwork. ...................................................................... 18
Integration of Programs ............................................................................................................................... 18
Requirements .............................................................................................................................................. 18
Degree Award.............................................................................................................................................. 18
Withdrawal ................................................................................................................................................... 18
Appointments............................................................................................................................................... 18
Supervisory Committee ............................................................................................................................... 18
Specializations ............................................................................................................................................. 18
XIII. Registration................................................................................................................................ 19
Course Registration Form ............................................................................................................................ 19
Registration Deadlines ................................................................................................................................. 19
Grades......................................................................................................................................................... 19
XIV. Student Resources.................................................................................................................... 20
Computer Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 20
Graduate Student Council............................................................................................................................ 20
Student Grievance Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 20
Faculty Grievance Procedure ...................................................................................................................... 21
Additional Resources: .................................................................................................................................. 21
XV. Responsible Conduct of Research ........................................................................................... 22
Fraud ....................................................................................................................................................... 22
Plagiarism ................................................................................................................................................ 22
Cheating .................................................................................................................................................. 23
Abuses of Confidentiality ......................................................................................................................... 24
Conflict of Interest .................................................................................................................................... 24
Confidentiality Statement & Health Information Policy ................................................................................. 24
HIPAA.......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Blood Borne Pathogens ............................................................................................................................... 25
FERPA ........................................................................................................................................................ 25
XVI. Exit Survey and Alumni ............................................................................................................ 25
Appendix A ........................................................................................................................................ 26
Typical RSD Student Path ........................................................................................................................... 26
Typical RSD Student Path ........................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix B ........................................................................................................................................ 28
Department & University Forms ................................................................................................................... 28
Course Registration Form ............................................................................................................................ 29
Supervisory Committee Form ...................................................................................................................... 29
Graduate Credit Transfer Form .................................................................................................................... 29
Admission to Candidacy Paperwork ............................................................................................................ 29
Degree Application ...................................................................................................................................... 29
Degree Certification Status Verification........................................................................................................ 29
Dissertation Checklist .................................................................................................................................. 30
Transmittal Letter ......................................................................................................................................... 30
Final Exam Form ......................................................................................................................................... 30
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Rights and Permission ................................................................ 30
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Signature Page ........................................................................... 30

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Appendix C ........................................................................................................................................ 31
Funding for PhD Students............................................................................................................................ 31
Graduate School Funding Awards (GSFA) .............................................................................................. 32
Research Assistantships .......................................................................................................................... 32
Teaching Assistantships .......................................................................................................................... 32
Grinter Fellowships .................................................................................................................................. 32
Research Experience Program ................................................................................................................ 32

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 Program Overview
Welcome to the University of Florida's Rehabilitation Science PhD program. We are pleased you have
chosen to join our program.

The program embraces a broad view of the field of Rehabilitation Science and has faculty and students
working in a wide range of disciplines. While the program has some required course work dependent on
your chosen concentration area, the majority of the student's course work will be decided through
consultation with the primary mentor and supervisory committee in order to tailor a course of study best
suited to the student's research project and future goals. The following milestones apply to all
Rehabilitation Science students and are provided to give an overview of the program structure. Note:
specific information on these milestones will be discussed later in the handbook.

 The program requires a minimum of 90 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree level
 A minimum of a 3.0 grade point average is required to be maintained by all students
 The supervisory committee consists of four members. With the help of the primary mentor, the
student should form the supervisory committee no later than the second semester of study
 Per graduate school guidelines, the supervisory committee should convene at least once per year
and review student progress.
 All incoming students will be assigned a “senior student” to serve as a peer mentor.
 All new students are required to attend the program orientation prior to the start of the Fall
semester.
 All students are required to attend the annual fall social. This serves as an opportunity to welcome
our new students, meet faculty, and highlight accomplishments from the past year.
 A qualifying exam is required of all students. The primary mentor and supervisory committee will
prepare and evaluate the exam.
 A proposal of dissertation topic and approval of the topic by the supervisory committee is
required. It is recommended that this take place within one semester of the qualifying exam. Many
students complete both the qualifying exam and dissertation proposal in the same semester.
 Admission to PhD candidacy occurs after both the qualifying exam is passed and the proposal of
dissertation topic is approved.
 All students are required to complete a written dissertation in accordance with the guidelines of
the Graduate School. This document must be presented to the supervisory committee in advance
of the final PhD defense.
 The student is strongly advised to check the required deadlines for all items related to the PhD
defense. These deadlines are provided by the Graduate School, and are not the same from year to
year.

There is an expectation that students will be responsible for their progression in the program, this includes
an awareness of policies and procedures that govern the University, the Graduate School, the College of
Public Health and Health Professions, and the Rehabilitation Science program. The Program Director
and program coordinator will regularly provide information to students via email. Students are expected to
read these emails and respond, or take action, when requested. The program handbook is updated
annually. Students will be informed of these updates via email. The most recent version of the handbook
can be found on the Rehabilitation Science website. Finally, the Graduate School catalog contains
information on the rules that govern the granting of all graduate degrees and is a useful reference tool.
As they navigate the requirements, it is common for students to have questions of their mentor, the
program, and the graduate school. The following resources are available:
 This handbook
 Your fellow students

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  The Rehabilitation Science website
 The Graduate School Catalog
 The Graduate School Student Handbook
 Counseling and Wellness Center
 Dean of Student Office
 UF Student Handbook

A note to international students:

The Rehabilitation Science PhD program does not currently qualify for the Optional Practical Training
(OPT) STEM extension. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of the Department of
Homeland Security maintains a list of programs of study which qualify for the STEM field OPT extension.
The list is based on the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes.

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 Rehabilitation Science PhD Student Milestones
Please note: The student is responsible for fulfilling all requirements and meeting all deadlines
Task When & Where
New Students:
 Complete the required forms in the
orientation packet and send to Program
Coordinator
 Attend orientation sessions for the Graduate When: Prior to and upon your arrival at the
School and Program Department of Physical Therapy
 Complete payroll and appointment forms for Where: As notified of location
assistantship, if appropriate
 Conditionally admitted students: Check date
and time of screening tests for language and
writing program
 Set appointment & meet with your mentor to When: First semester of PhD study
complete degree plan. Where: As notified by mentor
 All students are required by UF to complete When: Within the first month of first semester; plan
an Individual Development Plan (IDP). should be reviewed and updated each year
Where: Online
New & Continuing Students:
When: By published deadline
 Complete Course Registration Form to
Submit to: Program Coordinator
register for courses
Continuing Students:
 Complete required Public Health courses: When: Before admission to candidacy
Introduction to Public Health and Principles Where: Online
of Epidemiology
Continuing Students: When: No later than end of 2nd semester of study
 Appoint Supervisory Committee - Complete Submit to: Program Coordinator who will updated
Supervisory Committee Form information in GIMS
Continuing Students:
When: June of each year
 Complete annual PHHP Student Monitoring
Where: Online
Plan
Continuing Students:
When: ASAP, no later than 3rd semester of PhD
 Contact mentor for possible approval of
study as required by the Graduate School
transfer of up to 30 credits from M.S. degree;
Submit to: Program Coordinator for review by
 Complete Transfer of Credit Form, must be
Steering Committee
approved by committee
Continuing Students:
 Complete PhD Qualifying Exam (Written, When: By the end of the 4th semester.
Oral); contact Program Coordinator for Where: Student should schedule a room under
qualifying exam paperwork one week guidance of the mentor
prior to date.
When: No later than the semester following the
 Complete Research Proposal with completion of your PhD qualifying exam. Many
Supervisory Committee; contact Program students complete the research proposal at the
Coordinator for proposal paperwork one time of the qualifying exam.
week prior to date. Where: Student should schedule a room under
guidance of the mentor
viii
Continuing Students:
When: After passing your qualifying examination
 Admission to candidacy for PhD- requires
and successfully defending your dissertation topic
form signed by supervisory committee
Submit to: Program Coordinator
 Public Health courses must be completed
Continuing Students: When: After Qualifying Exam is completed
 Obtain guide for preparation of dissertation Where: Graduate School Editorial Office

Final Term:
When: The term you plan to graduate by published
 Complete your degree application in Student
deadline in academic calendar
Self Service system My Record<
Where: Online
Certificate/Degree Application
Final Term:
When: The term you plan to graduate by published
 First submission dissertation to the Graduate
deadline in academic calendar
School
Where: Graduate School Editorial Office
 Contact Program Coordinator at least one
See Doctoral Dissertation Submission Checklist for
week prior to published deadline for
all dissertation deadlines
Transmittal Letter
Final Term: When: By published deadline in academic
 Dissertation defense; contact the Program calendar
Coordinator as soon as date is scheduled Where: As advised by mentor; Program
(ideally at least four weeks prior to the event) Coordinator can assist with room scheduling
 Contact Program Coordinator one week prior
to defense for Final Exam and Electronic See Doctoral Dissertation Submission Checklist for
Thesis and Dissertation (EDT) forms all dissertation deadlines

When: By published deadline in academic calendar

Final Term: Where: Graduate School Editorial Office
 Submit final copy of dissertation See Doctoral Dissertation Submission Checklist for
all dissertation deadlines
Final Term:
 If you plan on attending commencement,
notify your mentor & order your academic When: By published deadline
regalia Where: UF Bookstore
 Notify Program Coordinator four weeks prior
to commencement of your faculty escort.
Final Term:
 Complete Rehabilitation Science Exit Survey When: Prior to graduation
 Provide copy of updated CV and copy of Where: Online and to Program Coordinator
dissertation to Program Coordinator
Final Term: When: Prior to graduation
 Return all keys issued by the Department Where: Department of Physical Therapy
Final Term:
When: By published deadlines
 Final Term Graduate School Checklist for
Where: Various
Graduating Students

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 I. How to Use this Manual
This manual has been developed to assist admitted students in meeting the requirements for the
Rehabilitation Science PhD Program. We encourage all readers to refer to the UF Graduate
Catalog, which supersedes this manual if a conflict of information occurs. Students will be held to
the terms and rules outlined in the handbook published in the year they begin the program.

II. Rehabilitation Science Program: Introduction &

Rationale
The Rehabilitation Science Doctoral program provides comprehensive graduate training to future
rehabilitation scholars, building skills in research, teaching, and interdisciplinary teamwork in
movement science, bulbar science and disability science. Our students take a series of core
courses designed to teach the fundamentals of rehabilitation science and courses to enhance
teaching skills. Following the core course sequence, each student customizes their degree with
courses based on research interests in one of three concentration areas: movement science,
bulbar science, and disability science. Upon successful completion of this 90-credit post-
baccalaureate program, a student receives a PhD in Rehabilitation Science and is well-positioned
for opportunities in research and higher education.

Most graduates go on to post-doctoral positions or faculty positions at major research universities.

The doctoral program was designed with several considerations in mind. In recent decades, life-
saving medical intervention has extended the lives of the population, increasing the elder
population and saving the lives of individuals of all ages who, heretofore, would have succumbed
to disease or injury. At the same time, these medical advances have resulted in an increased need
for rehabilitation services for persons who survive but have temporary or chronic disabling
conditions which interfere with their ability to function. Consequently, the demand for training of
rehabilitation personnel has dramatically increased in recent decades as therapies have been
needed to assist individuals recover, adjust, and adapt to health changes. The expanded role of
rehabilitation personnel has increased the demand for theoretical rationale and research
examination of rehabilitation outcomes and, therefore, has increased the need for doctoral
programs in rehabilitation science.

III. Rehabilitation Science Program: Mission Statement

Our definition of Rehabilitation Science is adapted from the seminal 1997 report from the Institute
of Medicine1. We view rehabilitation science to describe those disciplines which focus on both
basic and applied aspects of health science and services, the social sciences, and engineering as
they relate to restoring human functional capacity and improving a person's interaction with the
surrounding environment. An important point of emphasis is that we believe rehabilitation science
should encompass research ranging from molecular biology through population health. Thus, we
embrace a wide range of disciplines, and support the view that by working together we can best
advance human health.

The Rehabilitation Science PhD Program at the University of Florida follows the mission of the
College of Public Health and Health Professions. Our specific mission is to educate future
1
 investigators in the area of rehabilitation science. The faculty of the program are charged with
training future rehabilitation scientists who will be capable of engaging in translational research and
sustaining independently funded research programs.
1
Brandt, E. N., Pope, A. M., & Institute of Medicine (U.S.). Committee on Assessing Rehabilitation
Science and Engineering. (1997). Enabling America : assessing the role of rehabilitation science
and engineering. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

The Rehabilitation Science program is part of the Department of Physical Therapy and the College of
Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP).

IV. Student Mentors and the Rehabilitation Science Student

Organization
Each incoming student will be assigned a senior student who will serve as a peer mentor. This
relationship is often particularly important during the initial 1-2 semesters in the program. The senior
student will be responsible for scheduling a meeting during the initial weeks of the Fall semester. The
purpose of this meeting will be to provide a student’s perspective on the program, an overview of how to
successfully navigate graduate school, and to give the incoming student a chance to ask
questions. Additional meetings are strongly encouraged, as needed, but are not a strict requirement.

V. Expectation of the faculty mentor

This section is provided to give incoming students an idea of what can reasonably be expected from a
faculty mentor. Please note that each research group or laboratory functions differently. Some mentors
will meet with their students on a day-to-day basis, and other mentors may take a more “hands off”
approach encouraging students to work independently from the beginning of the training program. Both
approaches can be highly successful.

Some mentors are actively involved with data collection, and others are not. However, both mentoring
styles can be highly effective. At a minimum, the primary mentor should:

1. Review coursework and progression towards graduation at least once per semester.

2. Meet with the student to review progress at least once per month.

3. Work with the student to form a supervisory committee during the first year.

4. Provide extensive mentoring and guidance as the student develops a research proposal.

5. Provide detailed guidance regarding how to organize and write the PhD dissertation.

6. Provide opportunities for interactions with visiting scholars and presentation of data at local
and/or national meetings.

7. Provide career guidance and advice as the student moves through the program.

In our program, the student-mentor relationship is almost always productive and successful. However, if
the student has any concerns in this regard, the Program Director and Steering Committee are always
available to discuss any issues that may arise.

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 VI. Yearly Evaluations
Students are required to complete an online Individual Development Plan (IDP) during the first month in
the program, and it should be evaluated and revised on a yearly basis. The IDP plan should be reviewed
by the student and mentor, and submitted at the start of every Fall semester.

In addition, students required to complete the PHHP Student Monitoring Plan at the end of each spring
semester. The link for the plan will be emailed to students when the system is open. This report will
provide the student an opportunity to list achievements from the previous year such as coursework
completed, presentations, publications, and milestones (e.g., formation of a supervisory committee,
passing qualifying exam, etc.). This report will be evaluated by the Steering Committee, and if any
concerns regarding the progress towards completion of the degree are identified a meeting with the
student and faculty mentor will be scheduled.

VII. Travel Awards

The PhD program has funding available each year to support the research activities of students. A
call for applications for program support to travel and present research at national and international
conferences usually occurs twice a year, in the fall and spring semesters. The Rehabilitation Science
steering committee will review all applications submitted. In the event there are funds remaining,
applications will continue to be evaluated on a rolling basis.

Travel awards are usually $250 though the amount can vary based on availability of funds and
strength of application.

Eligibility criteria
1) Student must have filled out the online PHHP Student Monitoring Plan
2) Student must be presenting data (oral presentation or poster presentation) at a national or
international meeting.
Review Criteria
1. Quality of the abstract, including:
i. Rationale and/or hypothesis clearly stated
ii. Results and conclusions clearly stated
iii. Preliminary/pilot study vs. completed study
2. Seniority of the student
Application Procedure
Complete the Travel Grant Application Cover Sheet and submit to the Program Coordinator along
with abstract.

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 VIII. Degree Progression and Monitoring
Initial Advisor/Chair of Supervisory Committee
Graduate School requirements regarding composition and appointment of doctoral supervisory
committees apply to the Rehabilitation Science program. The faculty advisor serves as the student's
primary mentor until the supervisor committee is established. The student, in consultation with the chair of
their supervisory committee, will determine appropriate faculty members for the supervisory committee.

Formation of the Supervisory Committee

UF requires that students form a supervisory committee by the end of their second semester, or the end
of the term in which they accumulate 12 or more credit hours. The initial faculty advisor typically serves
as the chair of the supervisory committee. However, a student may select, in collaboration with faculty, a
different Rehabilitation Science Graduate Faculty member to serve as the chair.

The supervisory committee must have a minimum or four faculty members, including the committee chair.
At least two of the committee members must have Graduate Faculty status as part of the Rehabilitation
Science program. The committee must include one member (the external member) who does not hold
graduate faculty status in the Rehabilitation Science graduate program. The external faculty member must
have graduate faculty status in another University of Florida program. Students may elect to have more
than the minimum four committee members.

If a minor is chosen, the supervisory committee must include at least one Graduate Faculty member
representing the student’s minor. If the student elects more than one minor, each minor area must be
represented on the supervisory committee. Therefore, committees for students with two minors must have
a minimum of five members. Note: please see below for details regarding the number of credits required
for a minor.

Special appointments to supervisory committee

Individuals without graduate faculty status may become official members of a student’s supervisory
committee through a special appointment. This may include individuals outside of UF with specific
expertise which contributes to the student’s program of student, physicians, and UF tenure-track or non-
tenure-track faculty or staff who do not qualify for graduate faculty status. Special appointments are in
additional to the four required members and may not serve as committee chair, co-chair, external member,
or minor representative. Students who would like to add a special appointment to their supervisory
committee should contact the Program Coordinator for details.
Generally, current curriculum vitae (CV) for the nominee and explanation of the special qualifications this
individual has and how he/she will contribute to your supervisory committee (usually written by primary
mentor) are required. If the nominee does not have a UF ID (Program Coordinator can confirm status),
there is an additional form required with basic identifying information like address and date of birth.

Special appointments are considered on a case-by-case basis. Once approved by the program, the
petition is reviewed by the UF Graduate School. If approved, UF Graduate School Data Management will
add the special appointment to the supervisory committee.

To establish a committee in the Graduate Information Management System(GIMS), complete the

Rehabilitation Science Supervisory Committee Form, obtain mentor signature, and submit to the
Program Coordinator.

To summarize the requirements for a supervisory committee:

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 - Students are required to have a minimum of four committee members, not including special
appointments
- At least two of the committee members must have Rehabilitation Science Graduate Faculty
status. The Chair of the committee counts as one of these two.
- At least one committee member (external member) must be from outside the Rehabilitation
Science program, and must have Graduate Faculty status at UF
- The fourth committee member must have Graduate Faculty status at UF, and can be from the
Rehabilitation Science program OR another UF department. Most students have three
Rehabilitation Science faculty members on their committees but it is perfectly acceptable for the
committee to have two Rehabilitation Science UF faculty, and two outside of the Rehabilitation
Science faculty.
- It is permissible to have a member of the committee who is from outside UF or does not have
Graduate Faculty status. Committees with special appointments must include a minimum of five
members as the special appointment as four members are required to hold Graduate Faculty
status.

The supervisory committee should meet at least once per year to review student progress. Please
contact the Program Director if you have concerns about this.

In the event that two or more of the original PhD advisory committee are removed, then the
new committee must be reviewed and approved by the Program Director. In addition,
changing the primary mentor requires approval of the Program Director. In the event that
either the PhD Committee or Primary Mentor is changed, the student should schedule a
meeting with the Program Director to discuss the situation.

Adding a Graduate Minor

With the supervisory committee’s approval, the student may choose one or more minor fields. If one minor
is chosen, the supervisory committee member representing the minor suggests 12 to 24 credits of
courses numbered 5000 or higher as preparation for a qualifying examination. If two minors are chosen,
each much include at least 8 credits. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit. Competency in
the minor is demonstrated by written examination by the minor academic unit, or by the oral qualifying
examination.

Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major. If an academic unit contributes more than
one course (as specified in the curriculum inventory and/or the Graduate Catalog) to the major, the
student is not eligible to earn a minor from the contributing academic unit. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is
required for minor credit.

Students must complete the Rehabilitation Science Minor Form to officially declare the minor. Please
provide the completed form to Laura Quintana. Note: Minors must be established prior to PhD qualifying
examination.

Qualifying Exam
The qualifying examination may be taken no sooner than the third semester of graduate study. In addition,
there must be at least two terms between the oral portion of the qualifying examination and the date of the
degree. The term the qualifying examination is passed is counted if the examination occurs before the
midpoint of the term.

Successful completion of a written and oral qualifying examination is required of all doctoral students as
they near the completion of their required course work. The examination will consist of the student
4
preparing three review papers based on questions prepared by the student’s primary advisor and
supervisory committee. These questions will test the student’s mastery of the required Rehabilitation
Science coursework as well as the scientific basis of their concentration area. The student’s mentor and
supervisory committee will determine the exact format of the exam.

The student is given one week per topic to develop a written document. Each document should define a
given problem or set of problems dealing with the topic, provide a concise review of literature relevant to
the topic, and propose future research needed to advance the knowledge base within the topic. Each
paper will be reviewed by the supervisory committee and judged to be satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If any
paper is unsatisfactory, the student will be given written guidelines regarding how to improve the paper.
These guidelines will include specific areas for the student to address in the paper prior to committee re-
review. Once all three papers are judged satisfactory, the student will convene a meeting of the
supervisory committee. It is the responsibility of the supervisory committee to conduct the oral
examination of the student relevant to the three written papers and to decide whether the student is
qualified to continue work toward a PhD degree.

The qualifying examination aims to assess a student’s: (1) understanding of the application of their work
to rehabilitation science; (2) mastery of specialized course work; and (3) readiness to complete a
dissertation successfully. The content of the examination will address these three areas. The student’s
supervisory committee will develop questions that are either specific to one of these three areas or more
general, which requires that the students incorporate their understanding of rehabilitation science into
discussions of specialized course work, including research methodology.

All work for the doctorate must be completed within 5 calendar years after the qualifying examination, or
this examination must be repeated.

A student may request a different format for the qualifying examination. This format must still follow
Graduate School guidelines. The student (and/or the Chair of the Supervisory Committee) must present
an outline of the new format for the qualifying exam to the Program Director who will determine its
suitability.

All members of the supervisory committee must attend the oral portion of the qualifying exam. The
student and chair or co-chair must be in the same physical location. With approval of the entire committee,
other committee members may attend remotely using modern technology. At this time, the supervisory
committee is responsible for deciding whether the student is qualified to continue work toward a PhD
degree.

Substituting members at qualifying examination: If a supervisory committee member cannot be

present, a Graduate Faculty member in the same academic area may substitute for the absent committee
member. The student is responsible for securing an appropriate substitute. The chair of the student’s
committee must indicate the reason for the absence and state that the absent member agreed to this
substitution at the qualifying examination. No substitutes are allowed for the chair, external member, or
special appointments to the committee.

The program policy regarding the written and oral qualifying exam is as follows: If the student fails
the exam, they are permitted to retake the exam if they are granted approval from the primary mentor and
advisory committee. At least one semester of additional preparation is required before the re-examination.
If the student fails the second exam, they are dismissed from the program.

Graduate School paperwork required: Students should contact the Program Coordinator one week prior to
the oral portion of the qualifying exam for the necessary paperwork. There is a Graduate School form
5
which all committee members are required to sign to document the student has passed the exam. Signed
form should be returned to the Program Coordinator after qualifying exam to update status in GIMS.

Dissertation Proposal
The dissertation proposal is a plan outlining the student’s intended dissertation work, including why the
research is relevant, what the focus of the research is, and how the research will be conducted. The
proposal is presented to the entire supervisory committee for approval.

The Rehabilitation Science Program requires at least two terms between the dissertation proposal and the
date of the degree. If the student is admitted to PhD candidacy before the midpoint of the semester, the
term of the dissertation defense is counted towards one of the two semesters.

Note: Some mentors choose to conduct the qualifying exam and dissertation proposal during a single
session or within the same semester. Other mentors prefer to conduct the dissertation proposal 1-2
semesters after the qualifying exam. Either option is fine.

Graduate School paperwork required: Students should contact the Program Coordinator one week prior
to proposal for the necessary paperwork. There is a Graduate School form which all committee members
are required to sign to document the student has successfully completed the proposal. Signed form
should be returned to the Program Coordinator after proposal to update status in GIMS.

The program has developed a PowerPoint template to serve as a general outline for information
Rehabilitation Science students should cover in their proposal. Students are encouraged to customize the
template to best suite their individual needs. Dissertation Proposal Template

Admission to Candidacy
Approval for admission to candidacy is based on: (1) the academic record of the student; (2) the opinion
of the supervisory committee concerning the overall fitness for candidacy; (3) an approved dissertation
topic (dissertation proposal); and (4) successful completion of the qualifying examination.

Please note, the two required online public health courses, Introduction to Public Health for the Health
Professions and Principles of Epidemiology must be completed prior to admission to candidacy.

Graduate School paperwork required: The signed Graduate School forms for the qualifying
examination and dissertation proposal are all that are needed; there is no separate admission to
candidacy paperwork.

Dissertation
All doctoral candidates are required to prepare and present a dissertation that shows independent
investigation and is acceptable in form and content to the supervisory committee and to the Graduate
School. An oral defense must be satisfactorily completed before the student's supervisory committee.

The student should provide a copy of their dissertation to the Program Director along with the scheduled
date and time information of oral defense for announcement. Students are responsible for scheduling their
defense and a meeting room for the oral defense and providing the Program Director with these details.
Assistance in preparing the dissertation (e.g., formatting, deadlines, required forms) can be found at the
Graduate School Editorial Office website.

Students must be registered for RSD7980: Dissertation Research in their final term. The minimum
enrollment of RSD7980 for fall and spring final term semesters is three credits, for the summer semester
6
the requirement is two credits. Note: students on a 0.5 FTE graduate assistantship will still be required to
have a total enrollment of nine credits for fall/spring and 6 credits in the summer term in order to fulfill the
requirements of their appointment.

All members of the supervisory committee must attend the dissertation defense. The student and chair or
co-chair must be in the same physical location. With approval of the entire committee, other committee
members may attend remotely using modern technology.

Substituting members at final defense: If a supervisory committee member cannot be present, a Graduate
Faculty member in the same academic area may substitute for the absent committee member. The
student is responsible for securing an appropriate substitute. The chair of the student’s committee must
indicate the reason for the absence and state that the absent member agreed to this substitution at the
final defense. No substitutes are allowed for the chair, external member, or special appointments to the
committee.

Graduate School paperwork required: Students should contact the Program Coordinator at least one
week prior to the defense for the necessary paperwork. Paperwork required includes 1) Final Exam form
(signed by all members of the committee) 2) Publishing Agreement (signed by chair of committee and
student) 3) Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Signature Page (signed by all members of committee).
Signed forms should be returned to the Program Coordinator after final defense to update status in GIMS.

If the supervisory committee has requested any revisions, the chair of the committee may hold on to one
or more of the forms until the necessary changes have been made. Students will not be able to make the
final dissertation submission until the forms have been entered.

Publication Requirement
Reporting research findings in peer-reviewed journals is an essential component of the scientific process
and a fundamental part of the graduate school experience. Accordingly, publishing research findings
should be a very high priority for all PhD students. Most students are able to submit at least one
manuscript prior to graduation, and it is not uncommon for a student to graduate with multiple first author
publications. At this time, publication of the doctoral thesis work is not a formal requirement prior to
graduation. However, the student is strongly encouraged to be proactive and work with their primary
mentor and committee to ensure publication of their results. Evaluation of potential manuscript
submissions will be part of the yearly assessment of student progress completed by the Steering
Committee (see below).

Please note that “ownership” of data collected during the thesis resides with the University of Florida.
Final decisions regarding data are at the discretion of the sponsoring laboratory and institution.

Monitoring of Progress towards the Degree

The responsibility for achieving the necessary milestones for graduation lies first with the student and
second with the primary mentor. It is expected that the student will regularly (e.g., monthly at the
minimum) communicate with the primary mentor regarding progress towards the degree as well as create,
and annually update, their online Student Monitoring Plan and Individual Development Plan.

In addition, the Steering Committee will review progress of all students on a yearly basis using these
systems. Our program is evaluated, in part, based on students graduating in a timely manner. Thus, the
annual review by the Steering Committee is intended to ensure that students are progressing towards
graduation, and are meeting the various milestones (e.g., qualifying exam, formation of a committee,

7
etc.). At the discretion of the committee, students and primary mentors may be contacted to discuss the
academic progression.

Period of Required Study in Residence at the University of Florida

Students must satisfy the minimum requirements for a period of concentrated study. According to the
Graduate School: "Beyond the first 30 hours counted towards the doctoral degree, students must
complete 30 hours in residence at the University of Florida campus or at an approved branch station of
the University of Florida agricultural Experiment Stations or the Graduate Engineering and Research
Center."

Courses and Credits

Undergraduate courses (1000-2999) may not be used as any part of the graduate degree requirements.
All 1000- and 2000-level courses may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis. Six credits of
higher-level undergraduate courses (3000-4999) outside the major may count when taken as part of an
approved graduate program.

RSD 6930 is a “special topics” course number that covers a broad array of rotating subjects and can be
taken more than once.

IX. Course Requirements

The PhD program includes 90 semester credits of study at the doctoral level beyond the bachelor's
degree. Each student completes coursework pertaining to Research Methods and Statistics and
Rehabilitation Science Application & Teaching as well as specialty coursework in one of three
concentration areas: Movement Science, Bulbar Science, and Disability Science. More specific
information on these course areas, as well as additional course requirements, is explained in this section.
A brief summary of the required courses and credits as follows;

Rehabilitation Science Application = 10 credit hours

Rehabilitation Science Teaching = 6 credit hours
Research Methods and Statistics = 13 credit hours
Research Courses = 31 credit hours
Concentration Courses = 18 credit hours
Elective Courses = 12 credit hours
TOTAL = 90 credit hours

Courses related to Rehabilitation Science Application (10 credits)

Students must complete the following required courses in rehabilitation science application:

RSD 6110 – Rehabilitation Science Theory & Application I (3 credits)

This course reviews the foundational theory and philosophical underpinnings of rehabilitation science,
including analysis of the components, stages, and domains of the disabling-enabling process, and the
ethical and social implications of rehabilitation science. The framework of the course is grounded in
analysis of rehabilitation research domains and student interaction with current researchers and
national and international thought leaders. This course is generally offered every fall semester and it
is recommended students take this their first Fall semester in the program.

8
 RSD6930: Doctoral Seminar in Rehabilitation Science (2 credits)
This course reviews key professional issues and scientific topics related to rehabilitation science. The
fundamental goal is to provide doctoral students with a foundation for professional success and
leadership in rehabilitation science. This is a one credit course offered in the fall and spring semesters.
Students required take this course twice for a total of two credits.
Note: As part of this course, students are required to attend the Rehabilitation Science Seminars.

RSD 6930: – The Art of Scientific Dissemination (2 credits)

The objectives of this course are to introduce the students to the various types of scientific
communication and to help them develop the skills necessary to become proficient in this art. The
types of communication to be covered in the class include oral presentations, posters, and manuscript
preparation. The skills which will be emphasized are those which can lead to lucid, simple, logical, and
organized presentations. This course is generally offered every other spring semester.

ENC5319: Scholarly Writing for Publication (3 credits)

In this course, students work with the instructor in a “writing group” format to draft a manuscript for
publication. This course is intended for advanced PhD students who have already collected a dataset.
This course is generally offered every other spring semester.

Courses related to Rehabilitation Science Teaching (6 credits)

It is the view of the PhD faculty that teaching will be an essential component of the vast majority or
rehabilitation-related careers. Accordingly, we require that students have some formal training in the art
of teaching as part of the graduate experience. All students must complete the following required courses
in teaching:

1) RSD 6900 – College Classroom: Teaching Process and Practice (3 credits)

This course provides doctoral students with the information and skills required for successful teaching
as faculty in the college classroom. This course is generally offered every fall semester.

OR

EDF 6938: Teaching Practicum for Graduate Students (3 credits)

This course is offered by the College of Education and is designed for Graduate students to gain
experience teaching at the university level. Students have an opportunity to prepare their own syllabi,
create tests, and practice teaching with peer-feedback. At the end of this course, students will be
prepared to teach their first undergraduate course in their respective disciplines.

AND

2) RSD 6940 – Supervised Teaching in Rehabilitation (3 credits)

This course provides hands-on, practical experience for students to develop teaching skills under the
supervision of a faculty mentor. It is expected that the student, under the supervision of the course
instructor, will present a minimum of three formal lectures and receive instruction regarding all aspects
of managing a course (e.g., preparation of syllabus, preparing exams, etc.).

Note: Students may petition to waive all or part of the teaching requirement based on past teaching
experience. A petition should be forwarded to the Program Director for evaluation by the Steering
Committee. The petition should include a description of past teaching experience as well as an evaluation
of the student’s teaching ability. The petition should be signed by the student and the primary mentor.

9
Courses related to Research Methods and Statistics (13 credits)
Students must complete 13 credits of approved coursework in research methods and statistics.
A one credit course on ethical research practices is required for all Rehabilitation Science students:
GMS 7877 – Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research (1 credit)
Key issues in the responsible conduct of biomedical research, following the research process
from inception to planning, conducting, reporting, and reviewing biomedical research

OR

VME 6767 – Issues in the Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit)

Laws, policies, guidelines, and principles concerning the conduct of research in an ethical manner.
This course is offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine and has an emphasis on animal research.

Other courses can be selected from any College, but should be chosen with input from the major
professor and must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee. Examples of courses
meeting these criteria include:

RSD6930 Research Design and Interpretation (3 credits)

CLP 6527 Measurement, Research Design, and Statistical Analysis in Clinical Psychology I (3
credits)
CLP 6528 Measurement, Research Design and Statistical Analysis in Clinical Psychology II (3
credits)
CLP 6529 Applied Multivariate Methods in Psychology (3 credits)
CLP 7525 Studying Psychological Change (3 credits)
EEX 7526 Grant Writing Seminar (3 credits)
PHC 7727 Grant Writing for Population Health Research (2 credits)
PET 5936 Professional Skills/Grant Writing (3 credits)
EDF 6475 Qualitative Foundations of Educational Research (4 credits)
EDF 6403 Quantitative Research Methods in Education (6 credits)
HLP 6535 Research Methods in Health and Human Performance (3 credits)
STA 6126 Statistical Methods in Social Research I (3 credits)*
STA 6167 Statistical Methods in Research II (3 credits)*

* We have received student feedback that this series is a particularly advanced and requires
writing of statistical programs.

In addition to the UF schedule of courses, a list of statistical courses categorized by method and
program used is available.

Research Courses (31 credits)

A student must enroll in a total of at least 31 semester hours of research application. Research
credits may only be applied to the 31 credit research requirement unless a waiver has been granted
by the Rehabilitation Science Steering Committee. All courses are taken pass/fail. The courses listed
below reflect progressive involvement in actual research working with the major professor:

1) RSD 6910 – Supervised Research

No more than 5 credits can count toward the degree. This course is intended for students in
their first year of PhD studies who have not yet declared a supervisory committee.

10
 2) RSD 7979 – Advanced Rehabilitation Research
Appropriate for students who have not yet been admitted to PhD candidacy. Students must
have a supervisory committee established in GIMS to enroll in this course.
3) RSD 7980 – Doctoral Dissertation
Appropriate for students who have been admitted to PhD candidacy. Enrollment in RSD 7980
is required in the student’s final semester.

Notes:
1) Only 31 research credits total will be counted towards the total 90 credits required for
graduation unless a waiver has been granted by the Rehabilitation Science Steering
Committee. Within that framework, however, there is no limit on the number of credits of
RSD7979 and RSD7980 that students can take.
2) RSD6905: Independent Work (letter graded course)
For students entering program in Fall 2016 or later: It is a potential option for students at the
very beginning of the PhD program who have not yet identified a research project.
This course will not count towards the required research hours. Rather, up to four credits can
count toward the elective course requirement. No more than four credits will count towards the
90 credit degree requirement.
For students entering prior to Fall 2016: Up to 12 credits of RSD6905 can count towards the
required 32 research credits. Students also have the option of splitting the 12 credits and
applying up to four credits towards the elective course requirement. No more than 12 credits
will count towards the 90 credit degree requirement.

Movement Science Concentration: Typical Course Sequence (18 credits)

The movement science concentration (18 total credits) seeks to provide students with a common
background relative to movement science with emphasis on application to rehabilitation. Movement
requires the coordinated interaction between neurons and muscles, and our program includes faculty
studying all aspects of neuromuscular function. As such, we fully embrace the spectrum of movement
science ranging from genes and molecules to biomechanics. The program offers a core set of required
classes to be taken by all movement science students. After the required core program, students are
encouraged to tailor the remaining core coursework to match their research aims.

All movement science track students are required to take at least three of the following five courses prior
to graduation:

PHT 6718: Neuroplasticity as a Foundation for Rehabilitation (3 credits)

RSD6930: Neural basis of human movement (3 credits)
RSD6930: Muscle biology in aging and disease: Implications for Rehabilitation (3 credits)
APK 6226C: Biomechanics of Human Motion (3 credits)
APK 6116C: Physiological Bases of Exercise and Sport Sciences (3 credits)

It may be appropriate for a student to substitute an equivalent PhD-level class with approval by both their
mentor and the Rehabilitation Science Steering Committee. For example, student may want a
biomechanics course with a more orthopedic focus and petition to substitute EML 5598: Orthopedic
Biomechanics for APK 6226: Biomechanics of Human Motion. Similarly, if the student enters the program
with a strong background in exercise physiology, they may request to take APK 7107 – Cardiovascular
Exercise Physiology in place of APK6118C: Physiologic Bases of Exercise and Sport Sciences.

To request a substitution, a petition should be forwarded to the Program Director for evaluation by the
Steering Committee. The petition should include substitute course name, number, and syllabus, plus a
11
justification as to why the course is an appropriate substitute. The petition should be signed by the student
and the primary mentor. The steering committee will not approve substitutions for non-equivalent courses.

Additional core coursework which could be considered after discussion with the primary mentor includes:
APK 6118 – Neuromuscular Adaptations to Exercise (3 credits)
PHT 6935C – Joint Morphology
GMS 5905 – Biomechanics in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation (3 credits)
APK 7117 – Exercise Metabolism (3 credits)
APK 7107 – Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
BCH 6206 - Advanced Metabolism (3 credits)
BCH 6415 – Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology (3 credits)
ANS 6932 –Animal Physiology (3 credits)
ANS 6705 - Muscle Physiology (1 credit)
RSD: 6930 – Control of Breathing and Airway Defense: Implications for Rehabilitation (3 credits)
RSD 6930 - Pain Science in Rehabilitation (2 credits)
RSD 6700- Introduction and Application of Rasch Measurement (2-3 credits)
GMS 7593- Translational Research & Therapeutics: Bench, Bedside, Community & Policy (3 credits)

Note: other courses are available beyond what is provided in the above list. Students should discuss
appropriate concentration courses with primary mentor and select those which best fit their research
project.

Bulbar Science Concentration: Typical Course Sequence

The bulbar science concentration relates to the study of the craniofacial system and related functions of
the upper aerodigestive tract with a focus on rehabilitation. The program focuses on sensorimotor function
of systems including speech, swallowing, phonation, and ocular motor function and mechanisms of
dysfunction in diseased states. A core set of required classes to be taken by all bulbar science
students. After the required core program, students are encouraged to tailor the remaining core
coursework to match their specific research interests.

All bulbar science track students are required to take at least three of the following four classes:
PHT 6718 – Neuroplasticity as a Foundation for Rehabilitation (3 credits)
RSD6930 – Upper Aerodigestive Tract Function and Pathology Journal Club and White Board Rounds
(1 credit)
SPA6581 Dysphagia Management (3 credits)
GMS6705 Functional Human Neuroanatomy (4 credits)
It may be appropriate for a student to substitute an equivalent PhD-level class with approval by both their
mentor and the Rehabilitation Science Steering Committee. To request a substitution, a petition should
be forwarded to the Program Director for evaluation by the Steering Committee. The petition should
include substitute course name, number, and syllabus, plus a justification as to why the course is an
appropriate substitute. The petition should be signed by the student and the primary mentor. The steering
committee will not approve substitutions for non-equivalent courses.

Additional core coursework which could be considered after discussion with the primary mentor includes:
APK 6116C – Physiological Bases of Exercise and Sport Sciences (3 credits)
APK 6118 – Neuromuscular Adaptations to Exercise (3 credits)
ANS 6705 - Muscle Physiology (1 credit)
RSD: 6930 – Control of Breathing and Airway Defense: Implications for Rehabilitation (3 credits)
RSD 6700: Introduction and Application of Rasch Measurement (2-3 credits)
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 RSD 6930- Journal Clubs (1 credit)

Note: other courses are available beyond what is provided in the above list. Students should discuss
appropriate concentration courses with primary mentor and select those which best fit their research
project.

Disability Science Concentration: Typical Course Sequence

Disability Science focuses on the interaction of the individual with a disability and the environment, and
the process of adaptation to disability through the lifespan. Disability Science is a highly interdisciplinary
field aimed at exploring the pathophysiology of disability, and enhancing activity and participation in daily
life for individuals with disability while addressing the role of environmental and personal factors in the
disability process. Since Disability Science is conceptually broad, there are no required courses in the
concentration. Instead, graduate courses are selected from departments and institutes across the
University of Florida. Below are examples three course sequences for “sub-concentration” areas.

Pediatrics
RCS 6066 - Growth and Human Development
APK 6205 - Natural Basis for Motor Performance
SYP 6735 - Sociology of Aging in the Life Course
EEC 7666 - Theory and Research in Early Childhood Studies
HAS 6114 - US Healthcare System
FYC 6020 - Principles of Family, Youth and Community Science

Aging
CLP 7934 - Seminar in Cognitive Aging
GEY 6646 - Issues and Concepts in Gerontology
DEP 6059 - Aging and the Human Brain
PHC 6418 - Foundations in Aging and Public Health Policy and Epidemiology
GMS 6063 - Mechanisms of Aging
ANG 5464 - Culture and Aging

Qualitative/Quantitative Outcomes
NGR 6815 - Foundations of Qualitative Research in Nursing
EDF 6475 - Qualitative Foundations of Educational Research
RSD 6700 - Rasch Measurement Introduction and Application
EDF 7439 - Item Response Theory
EDF 7932 - Multivariate Analysis in Educational Research
EDF 7412 - Structural Equation Models

Journal Clubs
The Rehabilitation Science program currently offers four different 1-credit journal clubs. Journal clubs are
a cornerstone of graduate education, and students are encouraged to actively participate.

RSD6930: Respiratory Journal Club

Each week this class will critically evaluate a published manuscript from the broad field of respiratory
neuromuscular biology. Over the course of the semester, each student will present an overview of the
assigned reading to the group including summary and rationale/background for the study, methodology,
results, and implications of data.

13
RSD6930: Muscle Journal Club
This course gives graduate students the opportunity to read, interpret, and present scientific literature
critically to their fellow peers, post-docs, and faculty. This course is designed to help students (1) develop
critical thinking skills, (2) develop presentation skills, and (3) stay up-to-date on the current knowledge in
the field of muscle physiology.

RSD6930: Neural Control of Movement Journal Club

Motor Control Journal Club provides graduate students with the opportunity to read, discuss, and critically
appraise published works from the broad field of motor control in health pathology with emphasis on motor
physiology, physiologic mechanisms of motor control and motor adaptation/plasticity. The course is
intended to develop: 1) knowledge of the relevant literature, both classic and current; 2) critical thinking
skills; 3) presentation and discussion skills.

RSD6930: Upper Aerodigestive Tract Function and Pathology Journal Club

The bulbar special interest journal club will meet to discuss pertinent research and papers in the area of
bulbar systems and functions of the cranial sensorimotor systems (speech, swallowing, airway protection,
and voice) in both health and disease. Students will be assigned reading topics and expected to
participate in weekly discussions of research articles. Emphasis will be placed on critically appraising
scientific content.

Public Health Requirement

The College of Public Health and Health Professions requires the integration of two public health courses
into the curriculum of all non-public health doctoral programs. Rehabilitation Science students must take
both courses prior to admission to PhD candidacy. Courses are offered online in the summer and spring
semesters. On-campus offerings of these courses are generally reserved for MPH students.

PHC 6937: Introduction to Public Health for the Health Professions (0 or 3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students in professional and academic degree programs in the health
professions to fundamental public health concepts and to identify and model ways in which health
professions and public health disciplines can collaborate effectively. The course can be taken for three
credits or as a non-credit course. The non-credit option does not include any tuition or fees but students
will not be assigned a grade nor receive credits to apply towards the 90-credit degree requirement.

PHC 6001- Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health (3 credits)

This course covers distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations
and application to control of health problems.

Satisfactory completion of both courses is required before admission to candidacy. Courses taken for
credit may be counted toward the elective course requirement.

Note: Students who hold an MPH or DrPH or who have taken or will take, the five MPH core courses
(PHC 6001, 6050, 6313, 6410, and HAS 6114) are exempt from this requirement.

Elective Course Work (14 credits)

Fourteen credits are elective/minor courses. Course descriptions and availabilities change frequently. For
the most up-to-date offerings outside of the Rehabilitation Science program, please consult the University
of Florida schedule of courses and your advisor. PHC 6937: Introduction to Public Health for the Health
Professions (taken for credit) and PHC 6001- Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health may count
toward the elective course requirement.

14
 Maximum Enrollment
A student’s academic career maximum for enrollment in RSD 6910 – Supervised Research and RSD
6940 – Supervised Teaching in Rehabilitation is five credits. Excess enrollment credits will not be applied
to a graduate degree program because these sources are tied to legislative funding and UF does not
receive funding for enrollments beyond the five-credit maximum. Enrollment in RSD 7980 – Doctoral
Dissertation is allowed for students who have a classification of “9” (students who have been admitted to
candidacy).

15
 PhD Program Example Course Sequence
Note: this is provided as a general example – please consult with your mentor before signing up for
classes.
Year I (24 credits)

Fall (9 credits) Spring (9 credits) Summer (6 credits)

PHC 6937: Introduction to
RSD 6110 Rehab Science RSD 6930 The Art of Scientific
Public Health for Health
Theory and Application(3) Dissemination (2)
Professions (3)
RSD 6930: Doctoral Seminar VME 6767 Research Ethics
RSD 6910/7979 Research (3)
in Rehabilitation (1) (1)
CLP 6527 Measurement, CLP 6528 Measurement,
Research Design, and Research Design, and
Statistical Analysis I (3) Statistical Analysis II (3)
RSD 6910: Supervised Concentration Area Course
Research (2) (3)

Year II (24 credits)

Fall (9 credits) Spring (9 credits) Summer (6 credits)

RSD6900: College PHC 6001- Principles of
ENC 5319: Scholarly Writing
Classroom- Teaching Process Epidemiology in Public
for Publication (3)
and Practice (3) Health (3)
RSD 6930: Research Design RSD 7979: Advanced RSD 7979: Advanced
and Interpretation (3) Rehabilitation Research (2) Rehabilitation Research (3)

Concentration Area RSD6940: Supervised

Course (3) Teaching in Rehabilitation (3)

RSD 6930: Doctoral Seminar

in Rehabilitation (1)

Year III (24 credits)

Fall (9 credits) Spring (9 credits) Summer (6 credits)

PET 5936 Professional
Concentration Area
Skills/Grant Writing (3) RSD 7979/7980 Research (3)
Course (6)

(6) Concentration Area

Electives (3) Electives (3)
Courses

Year IV (18 credits)

Fall (9 credits) Spring (9 credits)

RSD 7980: Doctoral Dissertation (9) RSD 7980 Doctoral Dissertation (9)

16
 X. Previous Graduate Study and Credit Transfer
Note: there are no “guaranteed” transfer credits. All requests will be evaluated by the Steering Committee
per UF graduate school guideline.

Up to thirty approved credit hours may be transferred in from a previous graduate degree. Practice-
oriented courses and courses completed more than seven years prior do not qualify. Most entry-level
professional program courses do not qualify for transfer, except those which are research- or theory-
based. For credits taken in a previous professional program (e.g., DPT, OTD, etc.) there is a cap of 9
credit hours that can be transferred to the PhD program. It is anticipated that a student's period of study
will extend a minimum of three years beyond the master's degree.

All courses transferred must be graduate-level and letter-graded with a grade of B or better. Courses must
also be directly related to the PhD degree. Transfer requests are made to the Graduate School through
petition by the student’s supervisory committee. Transfer requests must be made no later than the
student’s third semester.

To request a transfer of credit, students should fill out the Rehabilitation Science Graduate Transfer of
Credit form.

XI. Minor in Rehabilitation Science

Students from other UF Doctoral Programs may elect to minor in the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program.
Students must take RSD 6110 – Rehabilitation Science Theory & Application I, RSD 6930 – The Art of
Scientific Dissemination, and some combination of supervised research, independent study, and courses
listed under the three program concentration areas. Students must also identify a Rehabilitation Science
faculty member willing to serve on their dissertation committee and as an advisor for the minor.

XII. Non-Traditional Degree Programs

DPT to PhD
Students completing the DPT degree at the University of Florida will be eligible to count up to nine credits
from the DPT degree toward the PhD. The courses and number of credits will be determined by the
primary mentor and approved by the Steering Committee. All credit transfers are subject to the seven year
rule as reviewed in section X. Previous Graduate Study and Credit Transfer.

Non-traditional Degree Program: PhD-MPH

The faculties of the Rehabilitation Science program and the Master of Public Health program in the
College of PHHP, have approved a non-traditional PhD-MPH degree program.

PhD-MPH Admission Requirements

Candidates for the program must meet the entrance requirements for and be accepted by both programs.
Students may apply to both programs simultaneously, or they may enter one degree program and apply to
the other at a later date. Please note, the nontraditional degree program is not open to students who have
already earned one degree.

17
Special Program Documentation
Contact the Program Coordinator for appropriate paperwork.

Integration of Programs
Students in the PhD program may take MPH courses concurrent with their PhD courses. However, it is
recommended that students devote one year to MPH coursework.

Requirements
A student must satisfy the curriculum requirements for each degree before either degree is awarded. The
MPH program will allow nine credits of appropriate PhD courses to be credited toward both degrees. The
nine credits selected from the PhD curriculum must be approved by the MPH program upon the
recommendation of the student's supervisory committee. PhD courses which are to be credited toward the
MPH degree must also carry a grade of “B” or higher.

Students who complete the non-traditional degree program are exempt from taking PHC 6937:
Introduction to Public Health for the Health Professions and PHC 6001- Principles of Epidemiology in
Public Health unless the courses are part of the student’s MPH program of study. Nontraditional students
may not apply MPH coursework their 90-credit PhD requirement.

Degree Award
A student enrolled in the non-traditional degree program will receive each degree upon satisfaction of that
degree’s requirements. Upon completion of both degrees, it will be noted that the student has graduated
from the Rehabilitation Sciences PhD-MPH non-traditional degree program.

Withdrawal
Students who enroll in the non-traditional degree program may withdraw and still complete one of the
degrees.

Appointments
Students in the joint program will be eligible for the graduate teaching assistantships and research
assistantships in the College of PHHP on the same basis as other graduate students, subject to the
guidelines and restrictions set by the College.

Supervisory Committee
To facilitate student progress in the non-traditional program, the student’s graduate supervisory committee
will include one MPH faculty member.

Specializations
The non-traditional degree program allows students to specialize in one of five concentration areas:

 Public Health Management & Policy

 Epidemiology
 Biostatistics
 Social & Behavioral Sciences
 Environmental Health

More information about the MPH curriculum can be found on the Master of Public Health website.

18
 XIII. Registration
Course Registration Form
Students are required to submit a Registration Form before the stated deadline each semester to the
Program Coordinator.

To be considered full-time, students are expected to register for 9 hours in the Fall and Spring
semesters and 6 hours in the summer term.

Registration Deadlines
University of Florida registration deadlines can be found in the Graduate Catalog under Academic
Calendar.
Students are required to receive approval from their mentor regarding registration of courses prior
to registration each semester.

Students will be registered for program-controlled RSD courses and unless otherwise stated, are
expected to self-register for all other courses.

Students are responsible for meeting course requirements, as defined by the instructor, for all courses in
which they enroll.

Students on paid appointments:

Students are to verify with their funding administrator they are registering for the required number of
credits for their fee waiver to process and maintain funding. In most cases (.50 FTE appointment),
students are required to take 9 credits in the Fall and Spring semesters and 6 hours in the Summer
semester. Additionally, in the summer, the 6 hours must be spread over the entire term. Students may
not register for 6 hours in Summer A or B alone. You must register for a combination of the following: 6
hours in C or 6 hours in A & B or 6 hours in A & C or 6 hours in B & C.

Final term registration:

In their final term, students are required by the Graduate School to register for at least 3 credits of
RSD7980: Dissertation Research if it is the Fall or Spring semester and at least 2 credits in the Summer
semester. Students on paid appointments will have to comply with the requirements of their funding,
which is likely 9 hours in the Fall and Spring and 6 hours in the Summer (.50 FTE appointment). It is
recommended students confirm with the funding administrator to ensure they are registered for the
required number of credits to maintain funding.

Grades
The Graduate Catalog outlines the grading scale used by the University. All students are expected to
maintain a 3.0 overall GPA. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are not considered to be in good standing
and may not hold assistantships or fellowships. Grades of “I” (incomplete) become punitive after one
semester and are averaged in the student’s GPA in the same manner as a grade of “E” until the “I” is
changed. Students cannot graduate with grades of “I” on their record.

Grades of C-, D+, D, D-, E, or U, are not considered passing grades. Grade points associated with grades
are calculated into the student’s GPA but course credit does not count toward graduation requirements. If
a student receives a grade below a “C” they should notify the Program Director and Program Coordinator.

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 XIV. Student Resources
Computer Requirements
Rehabilitation Science students must be in compliance with both the College of Public Health and Health
Professions and University of Florida computer requirements.

Please see the PHHP IT website for information on remote access to your PHHP desktop or access to the
terminal server.

Graduate Student Council

The Graduate Student Council (GSC) at UF is the official liaison between graduate students and the UF
governing bodies including the Graduate School, University Administration, Student Government, and
Faculty Senate. The GSC provides a forum for students to address ideas, needs, and concerns that are
unique to the University of Florida Graduate students. The budget, funded by Student Government, is
used to provide services to graduate students such as travel grants. Invitations to apply for travel awards
will be sent over the UF Graduate Student listserv with eligible dates of travel.

A representative (or an alternate representative) is required to attend the monthly GSC meetings for
students to remain eligible for travel and other awards. The annual term of a Departmental Representative
and alternate shall be from September 1 to the following August 31. Students are asked to volunteer to
represent their department. The duties of the Department Representative are outlined in the GSC
Constitution.

Student Grievance Procedure

The following is the grievance procedure from the Graduate School Student Handbook. The Rehabilitation
Science program uses the Graduate School’s procedure for handling student grievances.

The University of Florida is committed to a policy of treating all members of the university community fairly
in regard to their personal and professional concerns. A formal grievance procedure exists to ensure that
each graduate student is given adequate opportunity to bring complaints and problems of an academic
nature, exclusive of grades, to the attention of the University administration with the assurance that each
will be given fair treatment.

A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction occurring when a student thinks that any condition affecting him
or her is unjust or inequitable or creates unnecessary hardship. Areas in which student grievances may
arise include scientific misconduct, sexual harassment, discrimination, employment-related concerns, and
academic matters. The University has various mechanisms available for handling these problems when
they arise, and it can sometimes be confusing for the student in knowing where to turn. In general it is
desirable to settle grievances in an informal fashion rather than initiating a formal grievance.
Communication is the key element. As soon as a grievance issue arises, the student should speak with
either the supervisory committee chair or the department program director. If neither of these individuals is
available, the department chair is the next alternative. In most cases these individuals can work with the
student and the person causing the grievance to resolve the issue informally, as specified below.

Students must first attempt to resolve the issue through their academic unit and then college. Only if the
issue cannot be resolved may students contact the Ombudsperson for an appointment. Documentation
must be provided of all formal actions taken to resolve the issue. The Ombuds is located in 31 Tigert Hall,
392-1308 and more information can be found on their website.

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Other Grievance Resources: Most employment-related grievances are covered by the Collective
Bargaining Agreement, Article 22, between the Florida Board of Education of the State University System
and Graduate Assistants United. Students with employment-related concerns should contact the GAU
office at 392-0274, or Human Resource Services at 352-392-2477.

Allegations of research misconduct should be brought to the attention of the administrative officer (e.g.,
department chair, dean) to whom the accused party reports. Students may wish to seek advice from the
Director of the Division of Sponsored Research, 219 Grinter, 392-1582, before making a formal complaint.

Graduate students who have complaints or problems with other aspects of university life should consult
the Dean of Students Office in 202 Peabody Hall, 392-1261 for the appropriate grievance procedure.

Faculty Grievance Procedure

1. At the first indication of a Performance or Professionalism issue, the faculty member will set up a face-
to-face meeting with the student to discuss the situation. The student will be directly informed of the
concerns, and the discussion will focus on ways to correct the situation. This meeting will be witnessed by
PT Department Business Manager or department representative, and following the meeting an email will
be sent summarizing the discussion.

2. If the problem persists, then the mentor will draft a letter which outlines the concerns, and steps that
have been taken to correct the problem. The letter must be signed by the mentor, the student, the
program director, and the Department Chair.

3. If the problem continues to persist, the mentor will work with the Business Manager, the PHHP Dean’s
Office, Human Resources, and UF Employee Relations to create a performance plan. This will be a
detailed document which describes the steps that will be taken to fix the problem, and how the student will
be evaluated. This document should include specific examples of performance milestones, and dates by
which these milestones must be met. The document will be reviewed by UF Employee Relations before
being issued to the student. The document will then be signed by the student, mentor, program director,
and the department chair.

4. If the problem persists, disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program, will be taken.

Additional Resources:
Employee Relations:
http://hr.ufl.edu/manager-resources/employee-relations/

Counseling Resources:
Employee Assistance Program:
http://eap.ufl.edu/
352-392-5787 (No cost to the GA)

Counseling & Wellness

http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/
Phone: 352-392-1575
Dr. Meggen Sixbey [email protected].

Mental Health Screening:

http://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/#/SHANDS

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Dean of Students Office
https://www.dso.ufl.edu/
Phone: 352-392-1261

XV. Responsible Conduct of Research

Integrity in scholarly work has received considerable attention in recent years both in academic circles
and in the news. Some notorious cases of fraud have made those in higher education sensitive to this
issue. Some of these instances, especially in the sciences, have surfaced when attempts to replicate work
failed. In the humanities and social sciences, plagiarism assumes greater prominence. Cheating, the bane
of many high school and undergraduate teachers, resurfaces at the graduate level, as well. Moreover, in
our increasingly complex professional world, graduate students may find themselves embroiled in abuses
of confidentiality or conflicts of interest. All five of these problems are of major concern to graduate
students, faculty, and other graduate educators.

Although many graduate students will have few problems with the ethical decisions involved in
maintaining integrity in their work, others may not see the issues so clearly. Some may even be unaware
of the potential for problems with integrity in graduate study. The Graduate School has prepared these
guidelines for units to be consistent should fraud, plagiarism, cheating, abuses of confidentiality, or
conflicts of interest arise.

Fraud
Fraud usually involves the intentional and deliberate misuse of data in order to draw conclusions that may
not be warranted by the evidence. Falsification of results may take one of two forms: (1) fabrication of
data or (2) omission or concealment of conflicting data for the purpose of misleading other scholars. An
intermediate form, difficult to detect especially in quantitative analyses, occurs when students are sloppy
about categorization. All researchers, irrespective of discipline, can agree that the fabrication of data is
fraudulent, and most will agree that the deliberate omission of conflicting data is also fraudulent. But a few
scholars might argue that one person’s conflicting data is another person's irrelevant data. In general, the
best researchers are those who come to terms with any piece of evidence which others may regard as
conflicting. Strong support for a given hypothesis involves disposing of or dealing with alternative
hypotheses.

The best insurance against fraud in graduate student research is careful and close supervision by the
faculty advisor and exemplary behavior by other members of the academic community. The student
should communicate regularly and frequently with his or her major professor. He or she can do so in a
variety of ways, such as by submitting laboratory notebooks for frequent faculty review, by having faculty
monitor the student's reading in the field, by regular progress reports to the faculty advisor, and so forth.
Faculty should normally expect such communication, and in the absence of faculty initiative, graduate
students should initiate dialogues with faculty. Such communication will help the student develop
intellectually and will lessen the possibility of fraud. If a student is suspected of fraud, the academic
community should handle the matter forthrightly and with a clear regard to the rights of the graduate
student such that the career of a student researcher who may be innocent is not damaged. Similarly, if
graduate student fraud is verified, it must be adjudicated in accordance with established University
procedures. The Graduate School will provide information on those procedures to any interested party.

Plagiarism
Unlike fraud, which is usually the deliberate creation of false data or results, plagiarism is the use of
another's words, ideas, or creative productions or omission of pertinent material without proper attribution

22
(i.e., without giving due credit to the original source). Flagrant cases of plagiarism may involve extensive
borrowing of material from articles, books, or creative productions with perhaps only slight modifications.
In such cases, penalties are usually severe for the student and would likely result in expulsion from
Graduate School or, if a degree has already been earned, the rescinding of that degree. Less extensive
cases of plagiarism may be either intentional or unintentional (e.g., carelessness or ignorance of the
commonly accepted rules) but may also have severe repercussions. In using other people's work, one
must cite that work in the text or, more commonly, in footnotes, and use either direct quotations or skillful
paraphrasing for all ideas that are not one’s own. Since much of the basic information about our
disciplines comes from outside ourselves through a variety of sources common to all work in a discipline,
it is unnecessary to footnote those facts and ideas, which are, so to speak, in the common domain of the
discipline. Otherwise, we would be footnoting everything we know. But an intimate familiarity with the
literature of the discipline, or a sub-discipline thereof, lets one know when the distinctive words or ideas of
another researcher should be given proper attribution. The fairly common practice among scientists of
citing the previous significant literature relating to the subjects of their articles or books serves as
something of a safeguard against plagiarism, but such reviews of the pertinent literature are less usual in
the humanities.

Every graduate student should have a comprehensive knowledge of what constitutes plagiarism.
Ignorance of the concept of plagiarism on the part of the student is no excuse for resorting to it at the
graduate level, if indeed ignorance is an acceptable excuse at the undergraduate level. Graduate students
who have any confusion about the concept should discuss plagiarism with faculty members. Students
should expect faculty members to demand that they know what constitutes plagiarism. There are
problems, however, not always associated with traditional perceptions of plagiarism. One of these is the
danger, when borrowing from the works of others, of quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing the material
in such a way as to misrepresent what the author is trying to say. A second problem arises when a
student is overly dependent on the work of another, even if it is cited meticulously. Still another problem is
plagiarizing oneself by submitting the same data or findings in more than one article or by reviewing the
same book in two different journals. And, finally, there is the problem of a graduate student's findings
being used by his or her mentor without proper attribution to the student either in the article or book,
indeed of not giving credit for joint or co-authorship in articles or books where a substantial amount of the
work is done by the student. The student should discuss any perceived problem of this nature with the
faculty member involved, the chair of the department, or, if need be, with the Graduate School.

In nearly all of these instances of plagiarism, or variations therein, the best preventive is the example and
consultation of the faculty advisor and the rest of the academic community, who should be sensitive to all
of these nuances. Again, as with cases of fraud, University of Florida faculty should handle any suspicion
of plagiarism with due regard to the student's rights, and any detection of plagiarism should be
adjudicated in accordance with established University procedures. The Graduate School will provide
procedural information on request.

Cheating
Cheating at the graduate level may not differ morally from the same action on the undergraduate level, but
many find graduate cheating more reprehensible and the consequences, understandably, are more
severe. Academic dishonesty for one whose presence in graduate school declares he or she has opted
for the intellectual life is a serious matter indeed. While cheating in the classroom is covered by
regulations emanating from other parts of the University, cheating on qualifying or preliminary
examinations is not. Such dishonesty, once proven, will at the very least result in failure of the
examination and may mean termination of the student's enrollment.

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Abuses of Confidentiality
Abuses of confidentiality by graduate students can take various forms. Students often have access to
thesis and grant proposals, data, or unpublished papers of other graduate students or faculty members.
Some students use this privileged material in their own research without permission, even though proper
attribution may be made. Such an abuse of confidentiality would include the adaptation into one’s own
research of a thesis or dissertation proposal or any unpublished work that one has opportunity to read or
indeed of adopting ideas first floated, and not yet relinquished, by someone else. Another example of an
abuse of confidentiality is when the graduate student gains archival or library materials about living or
recently-living subjects and uses them in his or her research without permission from the library or archive
or, in some cases, from the individual. Any research on live subjects can present similar dilemmas.
Confidentiality is one of the forms of integrity, which is relatively easy to abuse and relatively difficult to
detect. Once again, as with fraud and plagiarism, the example of the graduate student's mentor and that
of the rest of the academic community is the best preventive.

Conflict of Interest
Conflicts of interest between graduate students and faculty members may arise in a variety of ways. We
have already alluded to the problems that can occur when the research of a graduate student is
inadequately acknowledged by faculty, either by failure to footnote properly or to give co-authorship credit.
But another set of professional interpersonal relationships must be handled with great care if the integrity
of graduate study is to be preserved. As continuing formal education becomes more common and as
academics begin to become involved in the world of business, the possibility of a business relationship
between student and teacher becomes greater. All of us are familiar with the kind of conflict of interest
which may arise through nepotism, that is, when a person serves in an administrative or supervisory
relationship to those who are related to him or her by blood or marriage. Most universities have rules that
try to regulate professional relationships in such cases. Many faculty members are reluctant to have their
own sons, daughters, or spouses take their courses for credit on the grounds that such students may be
perceived by others to have an unfair advantage. A business relationship including a consulting one must
evoke the same kind of caution. And a student should be careful about working for a company owned or
administered by faculty involved in the student's degree work.

Similarly, a student should not date an instructor while the student is enrolled in the instructor's course. A
student should not ask any instructor to serve as his or her thesis or dissertation director (or research
committee member) if the student is having or has had either an intimate personal relationship, a family
relationship, or business relationship with that instructor.

If such a relationship should develop after a professional one has been established, the student should
expect the instructor to remove him or herself from the professional role. Such a relationship, whether
between a graduate student and a faculty member or between a graduate student acting as an associate
instructor and an undergraduate, constitutes a potential conflict of interest, especially as perceived by
other students and faculty members. Because of perceptions, and also because of the possibilities for
exploitation, such relationships should be scrupulously avoided.

Confidentiality Statement & Health Information Policy

All members of the workforce in UF medical components and affiliated entities, including faculty, staff,
students, volunteers, and third parties are required to sign UF's Confidentiality Statement. All members of
the workforce, whether full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent, paid or not paid, must sign the UF
Confidentiality Statement within 5 days of joining the workforce or student body, and annually thereafter,
agreeing to maintain the confidentiality of patient health information created, received, and maintained by
the University of Florida.

24
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a broad federal law that is in
part designed to provide national standards for protection of certain health information. As required by
HIPAA, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) promulgated complex regulations
known as the Privacy Rule, which implement the federal law.

All faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and business associates who work in or for a University of Florida
medical component or an affiliated entity are required to complete specialized training about privacy and
security on an annual basis. The Department of Physical Therapy maintains records of training
compliance for the Rehabilitation Science students. Training certification expires on December 31st of
each year, regardless of when the training was taken.

Blood Borne Pathogens

All Rehabilitation Science students are required to complete an annual online Blood Borne Pathogens
training through myTraining. The certificate of completion must be placed in your student record.

FERPA
The 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal
law (20 U.S.C. 1232g) that protects the privacy of a student’s educational record. FERPA applies to all
educational institutions receiving funds from the United States Department of Education, from
kindergarten through university level.

FERPA training is required annually for UF faculty, staff, and student assistants. When working with
student records, a student assistant should work cooperatively with their supervisor to ensure FERPA
compliance.

XVI. Exit Survey and Alumni

Prior to graduation, all students are required to complete an exit survey and are also invited to complete
an optional exit interview with the Program Director. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the exit
survey and schedule an exit interview in their final term, prior to graduation.

Students should also submit a copy of updated CV and a PDF version of final dissertation to the Program
Coordinator.

After graduation, alumni are encouraged to keep in touch with the department. Alumni can contact the
Program Director or staff to update contact information, current position, and share success stories.

25
 Appendix A
Typical RSD Student Path

26
 Typical RSD Student Path

Milestone Activity
s
Student Explores Research Area &
Application Potential Faculty Advisor

 Initial Advisor Assigned

Student Admitted  Student & Advisor Develop
Program of Study

 By End of 2nd Semester:

Identification of a Major  1st Committee Meeting is Held
 Committee reviews and approves the
Professor and Three
proposed program of study
Committee Members  Coursework in Concentration Area
 2-3 Years:  Guided Research
 Teaching Skills & Experience
Core Courses/Electives  Advisement in Formulating
Research Methods/Statistics Dissertation Area

Qualifying Exam
Should be taken by end of 4th Prepared by Student’s Committee
semester

 1 Year: Research Guidance for

Dissertation Dissertation
Focused Electives

Dissertation Defense Open to University Committee

PhD Awarded 27
 Appendix B
Department & University Forms

28
Course Registration Form
Use the Rehabilitation Science Course Registration Form to register for courses each semester. After
you have completed the form, please return it to the Program Coordinator.

Supervisory Committee Form

All supervisory committees are entered by the Program Coordinator into the Graduate Information
Management System (GIMS) website. Use this form as a guide and submit to the Program Coordinator
for your supervisory committee to be entered into GIMS.

Graduate Credit Transfer Form

Complete the Rehabilitation Science Graduate Transfer of Credit form to request a transfer of
graduate credits from a prior graduate degree (elsewhere or at UF) and apply them to the program's
degree requirements. Submit the form and relevant course syllabi to the Program Coordinator for
review by the Steering Committee

Admission to Candidacy Paperwork

1. Qualifying Examination: Student should contact the Program Coordinator one week prior to oral
portion of qualifying exam for the necessary paperwork. There is a Graduate School form which all
committee members are required to sign to document the student has successfully completed the
examination. Signed form should be returned to the Program Coordinator.
2. Dissertation Proposal: Student should contact the Program Coordinator one week prior to
proposal for the necessary paperwork. There is a Graduate School form which all committee
members are required to sign to document the student has successfully completed the proposal.
Signed form should be returned to the Program Coordinator after proposal to update status in
GIMS.
These two forms comprise the admission to candidacy paperwork.

Degree Application
The degree application is completed online in the Student Self-Service System by the published deadline.
(Select My Record> degree application from the ONE.UF left menu). Students must apply in the term in
which they expect to graduate, regardless if they have submitted an application in a previous term.

If a student misses the degree application deadline, they must contact the program coordinator as
soon to determine if a late application is possible. For summer terms, there is no late degree
application process.

Degree Certification Status Verification

If you need a letter verifying your current degree candidate status, complete this form and contact the
Program Coordinator.

Final Term Checklist

Consult this checklist to help you with your graduation: Final term graduate school checklist for
graduating students

29
Dissertation Checklist
There are many critical academic dates through the final semester. The Doctoral Dissertation
Submission Checklist walks students through the dissertation submission process and UF Editorial
Office requirements.

Transmittal Letter
The transmittal letter is signed by your primary mentor is required before the first submission of your
dissertation. Please see the Program Coordinator prior to the published deadline to obtain the
necessary form- make sure to leave enough time to obtain the signature and return to the Program
Coordinator by the deadline.

Final Exam Form

The final exam form is signed by all members of your supervisory committee after the dissertation
defense. Please see the Program Coordinator one week prior to defense to obtain the necessary
paperwork.

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Rights and Permission

This form is part of the final exam form and is signed at your defense by you and the chair of your
supervisory committee and determines the release of your dissertation. The form is not publicly
available and will be prepared by the Program Coordinator prior to your defense. Please see the
Program Coordinator one week prior to dissertation defense to obtain the necessary paperwork.

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Signature Page

Your supervisory committee signs this form at your defense. If your committee wants revisions made
to the dissertation, your chair may hold this form until all stipulations are met. The Program
Coordinator submits a confirmation of successful completion of this form electronically through GIMS
once the Committee approves the final dissertation for publication. The form is not publicly available
and will be prepared by the Program Coordinator prior to your defense. Please see the Program
Coordinator in advance to arrange for the preparation of this form.

30
 Appendix C
Funding for PhD Students

31
PhD students frequently receive financial assistance while in the program. This section discusses
many of the programs that support students.

Graduate School Funding Awards (GSFA)

The University of Florida offers Graduate School Funding Awards (GSFAs), previously known as
Graduate School Fellowships (GSFs). These four-year awards provide a stipend of $25,000 per year,
tuition, and health insurance, assuming satisfactory progress in the program. Students receiving
GSFAs identify a faculty mentor with whom they plan, conduct, and report on research studies as part
of their 20 hour per week work assignment. All applicants are automatically considered for GSFAs
and they are awarded on a competitive basis.

Research Assistantships
Faculty may research grants which support students and provide a stipend, tuition, and health
insurance. Research assistants typically work 20 hours per week while funded by assistantships.

Teaching Assistantships
Students awarded teaching assistantships will assist in duties associated with classes offered to
professional students enrolled in entry level programs. Teaching assistants typically work 20 hours
per week while funded by assistantships.

Grinter Fellowships
The intent of the Grinter Fellowship is to facilitate the recruitment of outstanding students. Full-time
students entering the degree program for the first time are eligible for this award. Tuition money from
the College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP) Dean’s Office may accompany this
fellowship. Continuation of the Grinter Fellowship beyond the first year is contingent upon satisfactory
student progress.

Frederick Family Scholarship: Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Student Award

Bill and Mary Ann Frederick established the Frederick Family Scholarship in Physical Therapy to
endow scholarships for students in the physical therapy department. An award of up to $2,000.00 will
be given to a student in the Rehabilitation Science PhD program who is working with a Physical
Therapy Department faculty mentor. The student is nominated by the faculty during the spring
semester. Criteria for selection include: treatment of others with positive regard, dignity, and respect;
dedication and service to the profession; evidence of exceptional dependability, self-reliance and
dedication to the pursuit of the Doctoral degree.

Research Experience Program

This program provides support for one year of graduate study to students affiliated with Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) and Native-American
Serving, Nontribal Institutions. Funding is dependent on experience and the obligations for full- or
part-time work.

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