Dual
Enrollment
Description
To allow selected students in the professional
entry-level programs in physical therapy and
occupational therapy in the School of Health Professions (SHP) to concurrently enroll in the Graduate
Program in PMCH rehabilitation sciences PhD curriculum.
Background and Rational
The recent IOM report “The Future of Disability in America”1 identified the shortage of rehabilitation scientists
as a primary obstacle to the generation of new knowledge and
practice to improve the lives of persons with disabilities
and chronic disease. The need for research capacity
building is particularly acute in physical and occupational
therapy.2
Every year, there is a small number of
students (1-3) in the SHP entry level professional
programs for physical or occupational therapy who are
interested in advanced graduate education and developing
the research skills required for an academic/scientific
career. The entry level program in occupational therapy
is currently the Masters in Occupational Therapy (MOT).
The entry level program in physical
therapy transitioned to the Doctor of Physical
Therapy (DPT) degree. Both degrees are awarded by the
School of Health Professions.
The PMCH Graduate Program has enrolled
ten physical and occupational therapists in the
rehabilitation sciences curriculum since its inception in
2001.
Dual Enrollment Option
Students applying to the professional programs in
occupational therapy (MOT) and physical therapy (DPT)
are eligible to concurrently apply to the PhD curriculum
in rehabilitation sciences through the Graduate School
of Biomedical Sciences. Students must complete the
requirements for application to both their professional
program of interest and the Graduate School.
Information on the Graduate School application process
is available at:
http://www.gsbs.utmb.edu/.
Students currently enrolled in the physical therapy and
occupational therapy programs are also eligible for the
dual enrollment option. Currently enrolled students
must also apply to the Graduate School and should
consult their academic advisor for additional
information.
The course of study for students enrolled in the MOT/PhD
or DPT/PhD option will include a combination of
integrated courses. Some courses will meet the
requirement for both degree options. Sample curricula
are presented in the links below. The curricula will
be individualized to meet the clinical, academic, and
research interests of participating students and
faculty.
Sample MOT/PhD
curriculum
Sample DPT/PhD
curriculum
Limited stipends are available
to support students participating in the dual
enrollment option.
For additional information, please email
rehab.info@utmb.edu.
References
1. Field M, Jette AM, Martin L (eds). The Future of
Disability in America. Institute of Medicine, National Academies Press, Washington, DC,
2007.
2. Frontera WR, Fuhrer MJ, Jette AM, Chan L, Cooper RA, Duncan PW,
Kemp JD, Ottenbacher KJ, Peckham PH, Roth EJ, Tate DG: Rehabilitation medicine summit:
Building research capacity. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005;84:9
13–917.
