Rehabilitation and Movement Science, PhD

Prerequisites

• Proof of a graduate degree (master’s or clinical doctoral degree) in a field of rehabilitation from an accredited U.S. college or university, or equivalent from a non-U.S. university or college.
• Licensed clinical work experience
• Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA

Admission Requirements

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

This program is not open to F-1 or J-1 international students, because the low-residency format doesn’t meet the full-time face-to-face requirement set by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you are an international student who does not require an F-1 or J-1 visa, you may be considered for this program.

Applicants must submit:

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  
  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Two professional letters of recommendation, completed by individuals who have supervised and/or mentored the applicant. All recommendations should be from persons who can attest to the applicant’s potential for doctoral study and leadership.
• Curriculum vita (résumé)
• Statement of intent covering the following (5-7-page paper, double-spaced):
  
• Educational goals in pursuing doctoral study
• Short- and long-term professional or career goals
• Current professional activities
• Research interests to be pursued in the program
• Reasons for choosing APU’s PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science
• Academic writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to write cogently and use research and professional literature effectively in developing ideas and arguments (e.g., DPT capstone, master’s thesis, a scholarly article submitted to or published in a professional journal, a comprehensive course paper, or a major district report)
• Other evidence of potential for leadership as the applicant desires

English Requirement

All students graduating from non-English-speaking institutions or from programs not taught in English and applying for graduate admission to Azusa Pacific University—with the exception of APU-approved programs in languages other than English—are required to submit proof of sufficient English proficiency. Additional information can be found in our online academic catalog.

Delivering high quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel that partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.

Department of Physical Therapy

View a complete list of university fees.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

The PhD in Rehabilitation and Movement Science blends online learning with a one-week on-campus session per year. This format helps support working healthcare professionals who want to further their careers and pursue work in education and research.

Online Format

For online courses within the program, students will be required to use Canvas for the asynchronous online courses, and both Canvas and Zoom for the synchronous statistics courses. The statistics courses will have an online portion and a weekly real-time Zoom meeting. Additional instructions will be provided with each course.

On-Campus Sessions

Each year, during the fall semester, students participate in a one-week, on-campus boot camp with faculty and peers. Discussion and activities focus on research topic advancement, reviewing previous work, and preparing for the term to come. Additional on-campus meetings can be arranged by students with the respective course instructors and mentors.

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

 

Additional Program Contact

Annette Karim, program director, akarim@apu.edu, (626) 815-5072

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or admissions@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or international@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/international/.

• Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 
• Note: This program is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).