Health and Rehabilitation Science

Stephanie Reid-Arndt, PhD, Program Director
Senior Associate Dean
School of Health Professions

510 Lewis Hall
701 S. 5th St.
Columbia, MO 65211

The PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science in the MU School of Health Professions is an interdisciplinary, research-focused doctoral program designed to prepare students for a career in research, higher education, and/or organizational leadership in the health disciplines. These include occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, public health, physical therapy, health sciences and health psychology. Students may be practitioners with a clinical or advanced degree to intend to pursue research-focused career opportunities, or students may enter immediately after earning a bachelor's degree. 

This PhD program uses a mentorship model in which students are accepted to work in the labs of specific faculty and to learn through hands-on research experience. Primary mentors are selected from among the >30 program faculty in the MU School of Health Professions. Learning within this program is designed to educate students who are interested in developing research skills and an independent research program. The curriculum is flexible, with opportunities to take courses from faculty across the MU campus.

Professor: S. Reid-Arndt*, E. Schatz*, T. Wolf*
Distinguished Professor: W. Dunn
Associate Professor: C. Altman*, N. Cheak-Zamora*, L. Chen*, H. Choi*, E. Dannecker*, A. Frech*, T. Guess*, I. Harvey*, E. Kelley*, M. Kuruvilla-Dugdale*, W. Majee*, S. Sayers*, M. Teti*
Associate Clinical Professor: W. Janes*
Assistant Professor: C. Allen*, L. Bauerband*, A. Boone*, R. Botezatu*, J. Craggs*, A. Kiselica*, S. Knollhoff*, K. Lewis*, R. Proffitt*, R. Raghavan*, N. Smith*, K. Trout*
Assistant Research Professor: B. Ferguson*

Please see the MU School of Health Professions PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science program website for a complete list of program faculty:  PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science Faculty

While MU does not offer undergraduate degrees specifically in health and rehabilitation science, the University does offer baccalaureate opportunities in a number of related areas.  The catalog provides a complete list of these degree options.

Within the MU School of Health Professions, options include the BHS in Health Sciences, BHS in Public HealthBHS in Occupational Therapy AssistantBHS in Speech, Language and Hearing SciencesBHS in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, and Bachelor of Social Work.

HR_SCI 8001: Topics in Health and Rehabilitation Science

Organized study of selected topics in health and/or healthcare. Topic and credit may vary from semester to semester.

Credit Hour: 1-3
Prerequisites: instructor's consent


HR_SCI 8050: Research in Health and Rehabilitation Science - Non-Thesis

Research in health and rehabilitation science not leading to thesis. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-99
Prerequisites: Instructor's consent


HR_SCI 8085: Problems in Health and Rehabilitation Science

Individual study not leading to thesis or dissertation. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-99
Prerequisites: Instructor's consent


HR_SCI 8440: Health and Rehabilitation Science I

This course focuses on major methods and techniques of research in disciplines within Health and Rehabilitation Science. It is primarily intended for students in the Health and Rehabilitation Science doctoral program.

Credit Hour: 2-3
Prerequisites: Graduate standing within the Health and Rehabilitation Science program or permission from the instructor


HR_SCI 8442: Health and Rehabilitation Science II

This course focuses on major methods and techniques of research in disciplines within Health and Rehabilitation Science. It is primarily intended for students in the Health and Rehabilitation Science doctoral program.

Credit Hour: 2-3
Prerequisites: Graduate standing within the Health and Rehabilitation Science program or permission from the instructor. Completion of HR_SCI 8440


HR_SCI 9050: Research in Health and Rehabilitation Science - Non-Dissertation

Research in health and rehabilitation science not leading to dissertation. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-99
Prerequisites: Instructor's consent


HR_SCI 9090: Doctoral Dissertation in Health and Rehabilitation Science

Research in health and rehabilitation science leading to doctoral dissertation. Graded on S/U basis only.

Credit Hour: 1-99
Prerequisites: Instructor's consent


HR_SCI 9100: Integrated Seminar in Health, Health Care, and Economics

Focusing on knowledge needed for researchers in health and rehabilitation science disciplines, this doctoral seminar course emphasizes the application of economics to the study of health and health care. This course will discuss and examine the economic theories, empirical research issues, and policy topics related to demand-side aspects (demand for health and health care, health production, health care utilization, health insurance), supply-side aspects (payment policies, health care provider behaviors, cost and efficiency of health care organizations), market competition, quality of health care, and government's role in health care. In addition, this course will provide a comprehensive overview and discussion of analytic tools in economic evaluations (e.g., cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and cost-utility analysis), which are critical for health professionals to understand and assess the efficacy of health care procedures, treatments, devices, and interventions from an economic perspective.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Department/Instructor consent is required