School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - Master of Arts and Master of Science Programs

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers several Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctorate programs. The Department of Communication Science and Disorders offers Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Communication Science and Disorders with specializations in Speech-Language Pathology, and Audiology. The Master of Science degree program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers graduate and post-professional education with foci in:

Clinical Dietetics/Nutrition

Dietitians who are registered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and individuals who possess a baccalaureate degree from an ADA-approved program may pursue a Master of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with an emphasis in clinical dietetics/nutrition. This emphasis provides advanced clinical practice that highlights specialization in selected areas of clinical dietetics practice.

NOTE: This program will provide applicants who are not registered through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) with the MS degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences but will not provide the required clinical experiences for registration. Those interested in clinical experience necessary to establish registration eligibility should apply for the coordinated undergraduate program.

The Clinical Dietetics/Nutrition program requires that students take a minimum of 46 credits distributed over the courses listed below:

Clinical Dietetics/Nutrition Curriculum (17 credits)

Thesis or Non-Thesis Options (six credits)

Clinical Dietetics/Nutrition students may elect to purse the MS degree with or without a thesis. Both options require the completion of six credits. Which courses must be taken depends on which option is selected. Those students pursuing the thesis option must take the following:

Required Courses (17 credits)

Electives (minimum of six credits)

Students may develop a subspecialty emphasis in clinical dietetics in areas including renal, diabetes, geriatric nutrition care, metabolic nutrition care, or nutrition in developmental disabilities and rehabilitation through elective courses and research requirements.

Communication Science and Disorders: Master's Degree Program

The Communication Science and Disorders program has been designed to provide students with:

1. a specialized academic education in communication processes and disorders, including disorders of speech, language, and hearing;
2. the knowledge and skills needed to critically evaluate empirical research; and
3. clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of individuals having communicative disorders.

The master's degree program has two specializations, one in speech-language pathology (which has both a general clinical track and a public school track) and one in audiology. The Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association accredits both.

General Communication Science and Disorders Program Requirements

Master's students in both the speech-language pathology and audiology specializations have a series of shared requirements that are detailed below:

Comprehensive Examination and Thesis Option

All students are required to pass a two-part oral and written comprehensive examination. The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to assess students' abilities to think critically, to communicate their thoughts in written and oral form, and to demonstrate both their grasp of the major academic content provided in their graduate program and their understanding of the clinical process. To satisfy both written and oral components of the comprehensive examination, students will present (first in writing, and then orally) a case from their own clinical experience to a committee of two or three faculty, clinical supervisors, or field faculty members. The written portion of the comprehensive examination will include a written report and analysis of the student's case. If the student passes the written portion, an oral examination is scheduled. During the oral examination, the student must present the case, and then respond to and discuss questions posed by the committee regarding the case and information pertaining to the case. Students may sign up to take their comprehensive examinations at any time after their second term of full-time study. Students cannot take the comprehensive examination if on provisional or special status. The examination must be passed at least one month before the last day of the term in which the degree will be granted.

The option to complete a master's thesis is also available. Completion of a thesis allows the student to earn the Master of Science degree in Communication Science and Disorders and exempts the student from the comprehensive examination.

Proseminar Requirement

All students must complete the Proseminar requirement, which consists of attending a specified number of scientific and professional presentations that have relevance to communication science and disorders.

Clinical Practicum

Clinical practicum requirements are met in the University of Pittsburgh Speech and Hearing Clinic Network (accredited both in audiology and speech-language pathology by the Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and at any of the approximately 40 Pittsburgh-area facilities with which the program is affiliated. These include the major hospitals, specialty clinics, and private practices in the area, as well as public and private schools. All coursework and practicum credits must be completed with a minimum grade of B to satisfy requirements for the degree.

Master's Program in Speech-Language Pathology Curriculum

The master's program specialization in speech-language pathology has two tracks: the general clinical track and the public school track. The general clinical track requires 50 credits of academic coursework in addition to the clinical experiences specified above. The public school track prepares students who wish to work in a public school setting, according to Pennsylvania certification requirements. The program is designed to require two full years (six terms) of study, but some students may be able to complete the requirements in five terms. Coursework must be passed with a B grade or better in order to count for graduation and to qualify the student for the comprehensive examination. The curriculum for the two tracks is detailed below.

General Clinical Track

Required Coursework - 47 credits

Graduate Seminar - three credits

Clinic Practicum - 13 credits

Proseminar - zero credits (four registrations satisfactorily completed)

Total Credits - 63

Public School Track

In addition to the course requirements for the general clinical track, students must have at least 12 credits of education coursework at the undergraduate level (which can be taken during the master's program), and four to six credits from two additional graduate seminars in Special Education (one credit courses are not eligible). Also, at least six of the 13 clinic practicum credits must be taken in a school setting.

The progression of courses in the two tracks is as follows:

Master's Program in Audiology Curriculum

The master's program specialization in audiology requires 64 credits of academic coursework in addition to the clinical experiences specified below. The program is designed to be completed in six consecutive terms of study. Coursework must be passed with a B grade or better in order to count for graduation and to qualify the student for the comprehensive examination.

Required Coursework - 61 credits

Clinic Practicum - 13 credits

Proseminar - zero credits (four registrations satisfactorily
completed)

Total Credits - 74

Health Information Systems

Graduates of this program are awarded a Master of Science degree in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with an emphasis in Health Information Systems (HIS). This program is housed in the Department of Health Information Management. It prepares professionals to be responsible for the development and management of health information systems consistent with the clinical, fiscal, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of health care institutions. Graduates of this program analyze, design, implement, and evaluate health information systems. As members of the health care team, they interact with other health care professionals and the management staff to identify their information needs, and to provide health care data for patient care, research, quality assurance programs, planning, reimbursement, and the like. HIS graduates work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, health planning agencies, computer companies, consulting firms, ambulatory care centers, rehabilitation facilities, research centers, and insurance companies.

HIS Admissions Requirements

In addition to those requirements listed under general admissions criteria for all SHRS students, those applicants applying to the Health Information Systems program must have satisfied the following:

Computer Programming (C/C++)	3 cr.
Statistics	3 cr.
College Algebra	3 cr.

Health Information Systems Curriculum

Students must take a minimum of 41-42 credits to complete the Health Information Systems program. Those credits are distributed as follows:

Students pursuing the non-thesis option must take six credits in an area in which they want to further develop their professional skills; this area of further study will focus on one of the following:

1. Technical/Information Science (School of Information Science courses)
2. Medical Informatics (Center for Biomedical Informatics courses)
3. Health Care Supervision and Management (Department of Health Information Management)

A comprehensive examination is a requirement and should be scheduled by advisor and student.

Health Care Supervision and Management (HSM)

A master's science degree with an emphasis in health care supervision and management provides credentialed health professionals an opportunity for career advancement. This 42-credit program is designed for the professional in health care, rehabilitation, or long-term care who wishes to attain skills, knowledge, and credentials at the graduate level to prepare for a supervisory management position or to upgrade competencies developed earlier in his/her career. Students with a special interest in long-term care for the aging may complete a three-course emphasis in this area offered in collaboration with the Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Services Administration, as part of their degree requirements.

HSM Admission Requirements

In addition to those requirements listed under general admissions criteria for all SHRS students, those applicants applying to the Health Care Supervision and Management program must have the appropriate credentials and experience in a health profession. Applicants without the credentials but with other relevant training and career experience who wish to develop competencies in health care supervision and management will also be given admission consideration.

HSM Curriculum (41-42 credits)

Occupational Therapy

The master's science degree with graduate emphasis in occupational therapy is customized to meet students' professional career goals and learning needs in practice, education, management, or research. Guided learning is a pivotal concept of the program. Examples of competencies that can be developed are: clinical specialization (e.g., pediatrics, home health care, ergonomics), case management, health care auditing, data management, developing instructional media, program development, program evaluation, grant proposal writing, public speaking, professional writing, teaching skills, and clinical research. Required courses, which are kept to a minimum, focus on current and emerging issues in the science of occupational therapy practice as well as the process skills needed to locate, understand, and evaluate the evidence that supports occupational therapy practice. Elective courses are selected from academic departments throughout the University and enable students to pursue their particular career interests. The capstone educational requirement, the scholarly paper or research project, emphasizes a topic or skill identified as significant for in-depth study.

Occupational therapists who graduated with a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average from an entry-level occupational therapy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) are eligible to apply for this post-professional master of science degree program. Foreign applicants need to have the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) approved program. For those students interested in an entry-level professional program in occupational therapy, see the description of the Master of Occupational Therapy program detailed later in this bulletin.

Occupational Therapy Curriculum (36 Credits)

Students must take 36 credits to complete the master of science program in occupational therapy:

A minimum of six credits is required for each option. Students electing to pursue the non-thesis option must develop an Alternate Research Competency Plan that must be approved by the faculty advisor and the Director of Post-Professional Education in Occupational Therapy. The student must register for at least six credits of course work resulting in the completion of a substantive project in the form of one or some combination of the following:

A comprehensive examination based on the required courses is required.

Physical Therapy

The post-professional graduate emphasis in physical therapy will enable physical therapists to enhance their clinical knowledge and skills in orthopaedic and neurological physical therapy. Students will increase their knowledge and clinical skills in a specific area of advanced physical therapy practice and scholarship through plans of study in neuromuscular or musculoskeletal physical therapy. The plan of study focuses on advanced clinical knowledge and skills based on standards produced by components of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) (e.g., Document for Advanced Practice, Orthopaedic Section or Neurology Section). The entire plan of study is designed to accommodate today's clinician. Courses are scheduled either as evening sessions or weekend modules. For those students interested in an entry-level professional program in physical therapy, see the description of the Master of Physical Therapy program detailed later in this bulletin.

Admission Requirements

For admission to full graduate status, an entering student must have a QPA of 3.00 in undergraduate work and in an entry-level professional physical therapy program, and be a licensed physical therapist with a minimum of one year of clinical practice. An applicant must identify a specific focus of study (musculoskeletal or neuromuscular). Evidence of potential success in graduate study and the specific focus should be demonstrated through past work experiences, continuing education, and three letters of recommendation. Admission decisions are based on an overall evaluation of all credentials and the availability of space in the class.

Financial Assistance

Graduate Student Assistantships (GSAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available to licensed physical therapists who are full-time students. For more information on financial aid options, see section on Financial Aid earlier in this bulletin.

Basis for Plan of Study

Physical therapists can become certified in a variety of different areas, including orthopaedic physical therapy as well as neurologic physical therapy. Standards for advanced clinical practice are published and continually modified based on very solid methodology. Certification examinations are given once a year. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS) oversees the entire process.

The basis of the plan of study and examination procedures will be the Documents for Advanced Clinical Practice, examples of which can be obtained through the Orthopaedic or Neurology Sections of the APTA.

The goal of any student entering this program should be to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to make them a potential candidate for certification in either orthopaedic or neurologic physical therapy through the ABPTS process.

Comprehensive Examinations

There are a total of three comprehensive examinations that students must successfully complete. All examinations will have a written and a practical component.

The written examinations will test the students' ability to synthesize and apply clinical decision-making skills to a problem-oriented or case-based situation. The levels of judgments to each knowledge area will be based on the Competency Matrix developed in the Documents for Advanced Practice.

The practical examinations will focus on the clinical application of therapeutic assessment and treatment techniques. Students will be expected to demonstrate appropriate patient handling, application of technique, and decision-making rationale.

Physical Therapy Curriculum

A total of thirty credits is needed to complete the post-professional program in physical therapy. The suggested plans of study are detailed below.

Musculoskeletal Focus - Suggested Part-Time Plan Of Study*

Rehabilitation Science And Technology

The Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology's (RST) program emphasis in rehabilitation science and technology is a balance between traditional instruction and clinical rehabilitation preceptorship. Six concentration areas are offered: seating and mobility; ergonomics and universal design; rehabilitation research; access and communication; rehabilitation biomechanics; and service delivery management. An emphasis is placed on the team approach to rehabilitation. Students participate in clinics and rounds, work with consumer groups, perform research, and present at seminars and conferences. This program provides graduates with the skills to work in clinical environments, industry, or research, and prepares students to pursue doctoral studies.

All students must complete a common set of core courses before pursuing specialized educational tracks. Advanced courses are drawn from appropriate University departments and schools. The curriculum is designed to accommodate practicing rehabilitation professionals who are returning for an advanced degree. Students with training in other disciplines will be required to take courses that complement their previous training. The specific choice of courses required for graduation depends upon each student's advisory committee and the background of the student within the framework of University requirements.

Extensive research facilities are available to students. The faculty have active research programs in rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology, rehabilitation science, biomechanics, standards development and outcomes measures. The department houses a NIDRR Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheeled Mobility, the Center for Assistive Technology, and participates in collaborative research with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Departmental faculty receive research funding from NIH, NIDRR, VA, and private foundations.

Students may also receive research training from a number of affiliated centers and laboratories. Opportunities exist at the Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery; the Vestibular Dysfunction Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology; the Neurogenic Speech and Language Lab, Department of Communication Science and Disorders; and the Pain Evaluation and Treatment Institute, Department of Anesthesiology. Other opportunities exist within the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Department faculty also collaborate with a number of regional hospitals and clinics.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission are:

1. A baccalaureate degree. No specific major is mandated; however, prerequisite study for post-baccalaureate advanced education should include a well-rounded general education that includes a distribution of studies in the natural sciences and social sciences.
2. Prerequisite course work. Foundation courses must come from each of the following areas:

   Physics 6 cr.

   (to include basic statics and dynamics of motion with lab)

   Ergonomics and human factors 3 cr.

   Computer literacy 1 cr.

   Manufacturing techniques 2 cr.

   (to include a lab or relevant experience/training)

   Psychology or Human Development 3 cr.

   Statistics 3 cr.

   Anatomy (lab recommended) 3 cr.

   Physiology (lab recommended) 3 cr.

   English composition or technical writing 3 cr.

3. A minimum overall QPA of 3.00, and a 3.00 in the prerequisite courses.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of rehabilitation science or technology through volunteer or work experience.

Admission to the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology is available on a full-time or part-time basis. Provisional and special status may be granted to outstanding students who do not meet all of the prerequisite requirements.

RST Curriculum (42 credits)

All students enrolled in RST are required to complete 42 credits to meet degree requirements. Students must complete core courses and at least one "Specialty Curriculum Pathway" in order to graduate (see below for details). All students must complete a Plan of Study immediately after completing nine credits. The student's advisor must approve the Plan of Study.

The curriculum presents a balance between a traditional clinical rehabilitation preceptorship and traditional engineering instruction, but with other facets included, such as an introduction to ethical and consumer-advocacy issues. Courses are taught by RST faculty and the faculty from the Departments of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Bioengineering, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Students undergo didactic instruction not only in their concentration but also in companion areas, and are required to participate in clinics and rounds, work with consumer groups, do research, and present at conferences and seminars. The multidisciplinary approach assures that the student receives a balanced exposure to clinical rehabilitation and
gains technological understanding and an appreciation of engineering principles. All RST students in both thesis and non-thesis options must pass the comprehensive examination developed by the RST faculty prior to registering for graduation.

Core Courses (23 credits):

Thesis/Non-Thesis Options (six credits)

All students in the rehabilitation science and technology track will be encouraged to pursue graduate research by completing a master's thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor and thesis committee. However, a non-thesis option is available to all students. RST students electing to pursue the non-thesis option must develop an Alternative Research (competency) Plan of Study, which must be approved by the faculty advisor and department chair. Upon approval, the student must register for at least six credits of course work that results in the completion of a substantive project in the form of one or some combination of the following:

1. Research or scholarly paper of publishable quality
2. Policy research, implementation, and/or evaluation
3. Teaching internship
4. An alternative project of substance and relevance to the profession

Specialty Curriculum Pathways

Certificate Program in Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology

A certificate program in Rehabilitation Technology (15 credits) is offered through the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology. Students enrolled in the master's science or PhD programs in the Departments of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy are eligible to complete a certificate program. Professionals who possess an MS or PhD degree and are licensed in the fields of occupational or physical therapy, communication science and disorders, or rehabilitation technology are eligible to apply for the certificate program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

NOTE: A certificate in Rehabilitation Engineering is available for engineers who wish an exposure to rehabilitation, but who wish a traditional engineering MS or PhD degree. This certificate is issued through the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering. Please see the School of Engineering's section of this bulletin for further detail on the Rehabilitation Engineering certificate.

Required Courses to Complete the Certificate Program

The certificate will be awarded upon completion of a master's or higher degree and the following courses: