205
Graduate Programs
205.68
Rehabilitation Medicine
205.68 Rehabilitation Medicine
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
3-48 Corbett Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G4
E-mail: angela.libutti@ualberta.ca
205.68.1 General Information
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine offers interdisciplinary programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science. The programs are designed to prepare students for research in Rehabilitation Science and the systematic study of psychosocial, communication, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders in humans of all ages. Students will specialize in one of those four general content areas which represent broad interdisciplinary bodies of knowledge.
Inquiries concerning the MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science should be directed to:
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
3-48 Corbett Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2G4
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine offers a number of credit post-baccalaureate certificate programs which formally acknowledge the study of particular themes within the rehabilitation discipline. The programs are designed to build on existing expertise of practicing clinicians and current students. The certificate programs provide both profession-specific as well as interdisciplinary evidence-based content and are offered in various formats which may include distance technologies and face-to-face learning. A post-baccalaureate certificate will be granted upon successful completion (minimum grade of C+) of at least three required graduate-level courses.
Inquiries concerning the certificate programs in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine should be directed to:
Certificate Programs Coordinator
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
3-48 Corbett Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2G4
Entrance Requirements (Degree Programs)
The minimum requirements for admission into the degree programs are:
For the MSc, a bachelor's degree or equivalent or a previous graduate degree in a rehabilitation discipline or related field from a recognized post-secondary institution. For the PhD, a master's degree in a rehabilitation discipline or a related field from a recognized academic institution or an Honors BSc degree (or equivalent) in rehabilitation or a related field from a recognized academic institution; | |
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent) in the most recent two years of study; | |
For the PhD, evidence of research potential as demonstrated by scholarly work; | |
Proof of English language proficiency, where applicable (see §203.2.4); | |
References from members of an academic community who are knowledgeable about the applicant's academic and research capabilities; and | |
The Graduate Records Examination (verbal, quantitative, and analytical subsections) (No minimum cutoff score will be used. Instead, GRE scores will be considered in conjunction with other indicators of potential.). |
Financial Assistance
Master's and doctoral students who are accepted are encouraged to apply for internally available studentships or fellowships and for externally available awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Alberta Ingenuity Fund (AHFSER), and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). Information about these awards and others is available at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca, in the Faculty office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, and through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Students also may apply to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine for funding.
205.68.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Normally, a student's plan of study will be interdisciplinary in focus (i.e., not department-based). However, there may be instances in which the plan of study is focused primarily within one of the departments in the Faculty (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology). Admission to the MSc in Rehabilitation Science program is dependent on the recommendation of the Graduate Programs Committee which is composed of representatives of each department and the non-departmentalized staff in the Faculty and chaired by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research.
Students will be required to complete at least five graduate-level 
3 courses (15) or the equivalent plus thesis and successfully propose, implement, and report their master’s thesis research according to Faculty standards. Required courses will include REHAB 500 – Conducting Rehabilitation Research, REHAB 512 – Issues in Rehabilitation Science, and at least one graduate-level course in statistics or research design. Elective courses will be different for each student and will be determined by individual students in consultation with their supervisors and based in part on the student’s research interests. Students and their supervisors will develop a plan of study for the entire program and submit that plan of study for approval by the Graduate Programs Committee.
Students who possess a recognized clinical practice credential at the time of entry or who, after admission and prior to graduation, acquire such a credential on the basis of their work in a previous degree program will be able to denote their area of emphasis on their MSc Rehabilitation Science degree with the following specific designations under field of specialization: Aging, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology. Except in Aging, students who have not earned the appropriate clinical practice credential as described above will have no designation under field of specialization. The specialization in Aging is tailored to the needs of students who are interested in leadership, management or research positions with an aging-related focus in Rehabilitation Science.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. Normally two years of study and research are needed to complete the degree program. There is a four-year time limit.
205.68.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Normally, a student's plan of study will be interdisciplinary in focus (i.e., not department-based). However, there may be instances in which the plan of study is focused primarily within one of the departments in the Faculty (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology). Admission to the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program is dependent on the recommendation of the Graduate Programs Committee which is composed of representatives of each department and the non-departmentalized staff in the Faculty and chaired by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research.
The PhD program consists of 9 in required courses (REHAB 600, 601, and 603), 3 in graduate-level statistics coursework and normally, 6 to 12 in elective graduate-level course weights that pertain to the area of specialization as determined by the candidate's needs and interests and in consultation with the supervisory committee. In cases where a student has not written a master's thesis before entering the PhD program, REHAB 899 (3) is required, as an in-lieu-of thesis project. (This requirement will normally be waived for students who are transferring from a professional master's degree in a rehabilitation discipline if (a) their final/capstone project is considered by the Graduate Program Advisory Committee to be an “equivalent piece of publishable research to offer in lieu” or (b) they have received prior approval from the Graduate Program Advisory Committee by following the procedures outlined in the Rehabilitation Medicine Graduate Program Manual.) Students also will need to successfully complete a two-part candidacy examination and complete and defend a thesis.
The minimum period of residence is the equivalent of two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. No language other than English is required for the degree.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the PhD program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. In general, the PhD program will take a minimum of three years to complete, with the first 1.5 years devoted largely to coursework, preliminary research endeavours, and preparation for the candidacy examination which normally will be held within two years of a student's entry into the doctoral program.
205.68.4 Certificates
205.68.4.1 The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Francophone Practice for Speech-Language Pathologists
The Postgraduate Certificate in Francophone Practice for Speech-Language Pathologists is a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Faculté Saint-Jean. The program is designed to respond to a need expressed by the Francophone community for speech-language pathologists who are trained in the linguistic and cultural issues associated with practice in a context of linguistic and cultural plurality; and to develop skills specific to working with clients who need to communicate and/or learn in French. The intent of the program is to provide post-professional continuing education opportunities that prepare speech-language pathologists to understand dual-language and dual-cultural issues unique to the Francophone/English dual-lingual population, acquire information about normal and disordered speech and language, and become familiar with assessment and intervention materials.
Entrance Requirements
The minimum admission requirements are 1) a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution and eligibility for registration in ACSLPA (or equivalent in the province of residence); or 2) be enrolled in a Speech-Language Pathology training program from a recognized institution and have permission from the student's home department to register in the Certificate program. All academic coursework for the Speech-Language Pathology program must have been completed before enrolling in REHAB 551 and 552. In addition, because all instruction is in French, students must be proficient in oral and written French. It is the responsibility of each student to determine whether his/her level of proficiency in French is adequate. Students can access a self-assessment tool through the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) (www.alte.org.can_do/work/php) to help determine their level of French proficiency. This tool provides a framework for understanding the level of French abilities required for different functions. It is recommended that students will need to at least meet levels in the range of B2 to C1 for all parts of the test. Formal French language testing is available through Faculté Saint-Jean for those students wishing to have more specific determinations of their proficiency in French. The cost of this testing may be covered as part of a bursary provided through Faculté Saint-Jean.
Program Requirements
The Postgraduate Certificate in Francophone Practice for Speech-Language Pathologists consists of three graduate courses. The first one, REHAB 550, is offered every spring on the internet and presents the foundations required for the other two courses. REHAB 551 and 552 are offered in alternating years every August and both include a ten-hour laboratory. All three courses are offered in French.
205.68.4.2 Certificat d’études supérieures spécialisées en pratique orthophonique en milieu francophone
Le certificat d’études supérieures spécialisées en pratique orthophonique en milieu francophone est le fruit d’une collaboration entre la Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine et la Faculté Saint-Jean. Le programme est conçu de sorte à répondre aux besoins exprimés par la communauté francophone pour des orthophonistes ayant reçu une formation pour travailler dans un contexte caractérisé par le pluralisme linguistique et culturel, et conscients des enjeux linguistiques et culturels qui en découlent. Il vise également le développement d’habiletés nécessaires pour travailler avec des clients qui doivent communiquer ou apprendre en français. L’objectif du programme est d’offrir des occasions de formation continue qui aideront les orthophonistes à comprendre les enjeux bilingues et biculturels uniques à la population bilingue francophone/anglophone, à acquérir des connaissances sur la parole et le langage normaux en français ainsi que les troubles qui les touchent et, finalement, à se familiariser avec le matériel d’évaluation et d’intervention.
Critères d’admission
Pour être admis vous devez présenter au moins 1) une maîtrise en Speech Language Pathology ou un diplôme équivalent provenant d’une institution d’enseignement reconnue et être éligible pour s’inscrire au ACSLPA (ou l’équivalent dans votre province de résidence); ou 2) être inscrits dans un programme d’apprentissage de Speech-Language Pathology d’une institution d’enseignement reconnue et avoir l’autorisation de votre département pour vous inscrire dans ce programme de certificat. Tous les cours du programme Speech-Language Pathology devront être complétés avant de pouvoir s’inscrire dans les cours REHAB 551 et 552. De plus, tous les cours étant offerts en français, les étudiants doivent démontrer leur compétence en français autant à l’oral qu’à l’écrit. C’est la responsabilité de chacun des étudiants de déterminer si leur niveau de compétence en français est adéquat. Par l’entremise de l’Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE), les étudiants peuvent avoir accès à un test en ligne sur le site www.alte.org.can_do/work/php pour les aider à évaluer leur niveau de compétence en français. Cet outil comporte un gabarit expliquant le niveau de compétence exigé pour différents aspects de la langue. Il est recommandé que les étudiants soient au minimum entre le niveau B2 et C1pour toutes les sections du test. Pour les étudiants qui désireraient connaître de façon plus précise leur compétence en français, un test officiel est offert par l’entremise de la Faculté Saint-Jean. Les frais de ce test pourront être couverts par une bourse offerte par la Faculté Saint-Jean.
Programme
Le programme de certificat d’études supérieures spécialisées en pratique orthophonique en milieu francophone est composé de trois cours gradués. Le premier, REHAB 550, est offert à tous les printemps par Internet et présente les fondements nécessaires à la compréhension des deux autres. Les deux autres cours, REHAB 551 et 552 sont offerts au mois d'août en alternance et comportent chacun un laboratoire de 10 heures. Tous les cours du certificat sont offerts en français.
Les étudiants intéressés peuvent obtenir de plus amples informations en s'adressant à la Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine de l'Université de l'Alberta.
205.68.4.3 The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pain Management
Pain is a condition that is undertreated, mistreated and misunderstood. To further complicate the problem, medical/paramedical professionals are ill-equipped to treat people with chronic pain because they receive little training about it during their health education careers. The certificate in pain management represents a unique opportunity to address current issues and gaps in the education of health care professionals about chronic pain management. The program is designed to: 1) increase the understanding and importance of an interdisciplinary approach to managing pain through an understanding of the unique and shared roles and responsibilities of various health care professionals on an interdisciplinary team in the assessment and management of chronic pain; 2) enable clinicians to use critical thinking and evidence-based approaches to develop assessment and treatment plans across the pain continuum with the emphasis on complex/chronic pain; and 3) make use of a bio-psycho-social clinical reasoning framework that integrates information across models in the assessment and treatment of pain. The intent of the program is to provide a postprofessional continuing education opportunity that prepares health care professionals to understand and improve their techniques in treating chronic pain.
Entrance Requirements
The minimum admission requirements are 1) a baccalaureate degree in the health sciences from a recognized institution and eligibility for registration in the candidate's professional College (or equivalent in the province of residence); or 2) be enrolled in a recognized health profession training program from a recognized institution and have permission from the student's home department to register in the Certificate program; 3) ability to communicate in English.
Program Requirements
The post-baccalaureate certificate will be granted upon successful completion of three required graduate-level courses: REHAB 535 (3), 536 (3), and 537 (3). See §231 for a description of the courses.
205.68.4.4 The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Stroke Rehabilitation
The program is designed to attract occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, psychologists, social workers, recreational therapists, physicians, and others who are involved in stroke rehabilitation efforts. The courses are designed for members of a professional team who work in stroke rehabilitation at any point across the continuum of care from prevention to community re-integration.
Entrance Requirements
The minimum admission requirements are 1) a baccalaureate degree in the health sciences from a recognized institution and eligibility for registration in the candidate’s professional College (or equivalent in the province of residence); or 2) be enrolled in a recognized health profession training program from a recognized institution and have permission from the student’s home department to register in the Certificate program; 3) ability to communicate in English.
Program Requirements
The post-baccalaureate certificate will be granted upon successful completion of three required graduate-level courses: REHAB 540 (3), 541 (3), and 542 (3). See §231 for a description of the courses.
205.68.5 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses for Rehabilitation Science degrees and certificate programs can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Rehabilitation Medicine (REHAB).
