MSHS – Rehabilitation Science Specialization
About
The Master of Science in Health Science – Rehabilitation Science Specialization is dedicated to preparing students for study in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Providing basic science education and skills applicable in the clinic, our mission is to strengthen graduates’ applications into Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Graduates who successfully complete all program requirements will be offered automatic admission into the second year of Spalding’s DPT program.
The MSHS-RS will use a hybrid/low-residency delivery of its curriculum, building on Spalding University’s tradition of flexible education that meets the needs of the times. The lecture portion of the curriculum will be offered online, and hands-on laboratory courses will be taught in the Physical Therapy on-campus facilities in downtown Louisville, KY.
Features
- Full and part-time options are available
- An academic plan will be developed outlining course sequence upon admission
The Master of Science in Health Science – Rehabilitation Science Specialization consists of first-year DPT program courses. It is intended to allow graduates to increase their applications into entry-level DPT programs. Upon successful completion, graduates will be allowed entry into the second year of the DPT program. When taken as a separate program, it does not allow graduates to take the National Physical Therapy Examination, or prepare graduates to practice as physical therapists. Thus, this program is not subject to accreditation by CAPTE.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of integrative health concepts, theories and practices
- Apply evidence-based strategies to assess and address individual, community and population health needs
- Develop and implement integrative health programs, interventions and policies
- Utilize advanced communication and interprofessional collaboration skills in healthcare and wellness contexts
- Evaluate the complex network that constitutes “mind-body” and construct an integrative mind-body plan for a wide range of clients
- Utilize a range of Integrative Health Education knowledge, skills and processes, especially when encountering challenging education situations
- Develop integrative treatment plan metrics for outcomes across illness and wellness populations
- Conduct research and contribute to the evolving field of integrative health
- Promote ethical and culturally sensitive integrative health practices
Facts
- The rising global wellness industry, projected to reach $4.9 trillion by 2025 (Global Wellness Institute), indicates a shifting focus toward preventive and holistic approaches to healthcare
- The projected 17% growth in healthcare occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) includes a demand for integrative health practitioners
- The demand for wellness coaches is expected to grow by 35% (National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching)
- Occupations that focus on supporting wellness are projected to have strong growth and many openings from 2021 to 2031—with most having wages that were higher than the median for all workers in 2021 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic)
- Employment in these occupations is projected to grow above the 5% average for all occupations over the decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic)
Career Options
- Continue on to a doctor of physical therapy program
- Rehabilitation consultant within various business and organizations, including:
- Community health organizations
- Residential care facilities
- Home healthcare agencies
- Administrative or support role in any company in the health care industry such as:
- Medical center
- Fitness or wellness center
- Private practice yoga studio
- Educational facility
- Medical Assistant, administrator, receptionist or other support role in a licensed naturopathic clinic or other healthcare setting
- Medical professionals wishing to increase their knowledge of health and wellness to augment a new or existing practice, including:
- Medical doctors
- Psychologists
- Pharmacists
- Naturopaths
- Nurses
- Veterinarians
- Respiratory therapists
- Mental health counselors
- Social workers
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university — or — completion of 90 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university that include the DPT Program course prerequisites — or — enrollment in the final year of the Spalding University Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree program for DPT majors
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum prerequisite and science grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- At least two letters of reference from a professional who can best address the applicant’s ability to be academically successful as well as address personal/professional characteristics. Letters should come from a college/university counselor/advisor/faculty member, a physical therapist that supervised your volunteer/work experience, and/or faculty advisor for a college/university club or organization.
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination) recommended minimum scores of 150 on each of the verbal and quantitative, and minimum of 3 on the analytical writing section. GRE scores must be taken within the past 5 years.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) for applicants who graduated from a college, university or professional training school in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States do not need to take the TOEFL. All other applicants must score at least 550 on the written examination, 213 on the computer-based examination, or 79 on the internet-based examination.
- Observation/Employment in Physical Therapy totaling 40 hours under the supervision of a physical therapist signed and verified by a physical therapist.
- Prerequisite coursework:
- Applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory completion of the following courses with a minimum of a “C” (courses must be completed within 10 years):
- Science Courses: Each science course must be a course for science majors, have a laboratory component, and be a two-course sequence with more than 3 semester credits in length per course.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology – or one three-credit course in human anatomy and one three-credit course in human physiology
- Chemistry – 8 credits
- Physics – 8 credits
- Statistics – 3 credits
- English/Psychology/Humanities: 18 credit hours total with a minimum of one 3-credit course in English, Psychology and Humanities.
- One writing-intensive course, which may also be any prerequisite course.
- Advanced Placement (AP): No Advanced Placement (AP) credit will be accepted in lieu of prerequisites for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
- Credit for Prior Learning Policy: No CLEP credit will be accepted in lieu of prerequisites for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
- Science Courses: Each science course must be a course for science majors, have a laboratory component, and be a two-course sequence with more than 3 semester credits in length per course.
- Applicants must submit evidence of satisfactory completion of the following courses with a minimum of a “C” (courses must be completed within 10 years):
- Interview with members of the DPT Program Admissions Committee
- Technical standards and essential functions statement of agreement
Early Admission
- An undergraduate student currently working on the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Health Science or related undergraduate degree should apply to the Master of Science in Health Science after completing 75 hours at the undergraduate level
- The student must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher after completing 75 hours
- Before enrolling, the student must meet all current admission requirements and be accepted into the graduate program
- Nine (9) credit hours (3 graduate courses) in the program can satisfy 9 credit hours in the undergraduate program
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