Rehabilitation Science Program

Program Overview

In today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment, there is a growing demand for well-trained rehabilitation professionals to meet the needs of an ever increasing number of people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities in the community. Rehabilitation science is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to improve quality of life by enhancing human function and performance. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Rehabilitation Science at Middle Georgia State University offers a focused curriculum that integrates the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics with the applied and clinical social sciences to form a comprehensive study of human function and dysfunction and emerging rehabilitation interventions. The program offers required courses in the foundational sciences including anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics as well as the basic concepts of disability studies, restorative and supportive therapies, statistics and research methods, psychology, health ethics, medical terminology, rehabilitation case management, assistive technology, social construction and cultural production of disability, and health informatics. Students will develop a broad understanding of the theories that are central to the discipline and explore a wide variety of approaches to functional assessment and evidence-based intervention.

Career Opportunities

People with injuries and various medical conditions seek rehabilitation services every day to address physical, cognitive, social-emotional and vocational challenges. Rehabilitation professionals work with people of all ages in many different settings including hospitals, outpatient centers, human service agencies, homes and schools. Graduates of the Rehabilitation Science Program will be competitive for a wide range of employment in inpatient, outpatient, and industry-based organizations focused on rehabilitation and independent living for individuals living with chronic illness and disability. The program prepares students to pursue careers in rehabilitative health services, especially those related to chronic diseases, such as cardiac and cardiovascular rehabilitation, neurological injuries, and cancer

A BS in Rehabilitation Sciences positions you to take on roles in:

  • Care coordination
  • Medical and health services management in accountable care organizations (ACOs), rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities
  • Human services policy and planning
  • Assistive technology coordination and education
  • Durable medical equipment assessment and training
  • Orthotics training
  • Functional mobility assessment and coordination
  • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • Exercise prescription
  • Independent living and community based treatment facilities across the life span
  • Program planning
  • Health promotion

Additionally, a BS in Rehabilitation Science provides graduates with the courses and training needed to have a competitive application for professional and graduate rehabilitation-related programs such as:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Speech Language Pathology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • Athletic Training
  • Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Biomedical Science
  • Assistive Technology Engineering
  • Physician Assistant