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SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) offers educational programs leading to a baccalaureate degree in the following areas:

• Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition
• Communication Science
• Emergency Medicine
• Health Information Management
• Occupational Therapy*
• Rehabilitation Science

In addition, SHRS also offers a concentration in Athletic Training in the Rehabilitation Science Major.

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an integral part of the world-class University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The medical center comprises a variety of hospitals and clinical facilities that afford students a wealth of opportunities for professional experience.

The mission of the school is to advance the theoretical base of knowledge underlying the practice of health and rehabilitation disciplines and professions through research, teaching, and professional service.

• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Course Listing

• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of Admissions
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
4019 Forbes Tower
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 383-6558
shrsadmi+@pitt.edu
http://www.shrs.pitt.edu

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

*The undergraduate program is transitioning to the Master of Occupational Therapy. Pitt students may be admitted through 2002.

Freshman application is made through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Students typically apply to SHRS in the Spring semester, of their sophomore year of college. (See Admission Deadlines under Transfer Student Admissions for specifics.) Students applying for transfer from other institutions may apply directly to SHRS. Second-career students or students who possess a bachelor's degree may apply directly to SHRS providing prerequisite courses are successfully completed.

General requirements for admission to SHRS's baccalaureate degree programs include the successful completion of a minimum of 60 college-level credits with a cumulative quality point average (QPA) of at least 2.50 (based on 4.00). Included in the 60 credits must be the required prerequisites for the SHRS program to be entered (see specific prerequisites listed under Program Descriptions). Students applying for transfer from other institutions and international students must have taken comparable prerequisite courses. In order to assist the Committee on Admissions in making a more accurate evaluation of academic suitability for the program, applicants should complete as many of the prerequisite courses as possible before applying to SHRS. A minimum grade of C- is required for courses designated as prerequisites.

SHRS does not evaluate CLEP (College Level Examination Program) scores for credit but will accept CLEP credits that have been evaluated and posted on an official transcript from an accredited college or university. CLEP credits are not applied toward courses that are listed as prerequisites.

Since many health professionals find a second (foreign) language valuable, SHRS recommends such study either during high school or the first two years of college. In addition, some computer background (a college-level computer science course) is recommended.

See SHRS Program Descriptions on for additional admissions requirements.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A completed application to SHRS should be sent directly to SHRS (see Admission Deadlines under Transfer Student Admissions section of this bulletin for specifics) and should include the following:

1. All relevant application forms:
   • University of Pittsburgh students must complete the SHRS application for undergraduate programs.
   • Transfer students and students possessing a bachelor's degree must complete the SHRS undergraduate application as well as a transfer application from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
   • International applicants must complete both an SHRS and a transfer application as well as an application from the Office of International Student Services. See International Student Admissions.
2. SHRS Supplemental Form.
3. Self-evaluation. Applicants must submit a brief typed statement discussing when and how they became interested in the field and program to which they are applying and outline their long-term professional goals.
4. Transcripts. Official transcripts from high schools and colleges attended. Students currently enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh are not required to submit high school transcripts. Credits shown on a transcript as transfer credits from another institution cannot substitute for the official transcript of the college or university at which the credits were earned.
5. Evaluation Forms. Two recommendations are required for students applying to the occupational therapy program. These recommendations must be completed by OT supervisors with whom the applicant has worked or volunteered. For all other SHRS majors, one form of evaluation is required from a faculty member, academic advisor, or work supervisor. Evaluations must be enclosed in a sealed envelope signed by the evaluator.
6. Experience Summary Form. Required only for students applying to the occupational therapy program; optional for other programs.
7. The application fee of $35 (only if transferring from another institution; University of Pittsburgh students do not have to pay this fee).

ADMISSION STATUS

Students admitted to SHRS are admitted to one of three statuses: full, provisional, or special:

• Students admitted to full status have met all admission criteria and have been admitted either as full-time or part-time students for study toward the baccalaureate degree.
• In certain circumstances, when an applicant is admitted with a QPA of less than 2.50, he or she is admitted on a provisional basis and must earn 2.00 in the first term (or first 12 credits for part-time students) in order to be granted full admission. Students who are admitted provisionally who then do not earn a 2.00 in the first term (or first 12 credits for part-time students) may not continue in SHRS.
• Applicants not matriculated in any school in the University who wish to take courses for credit without reference to a degree may be admitted as special students if they present evidence of ability to follow successfully the courses for which they apply. Students admitted to SHRS as special students may take a maximum of six credits toward a degree without submitting an application. A student wishing to register for more than six credits as a special student has the right to appeal in written form to the dean. Information concerning such requests should be directed first to the SHRS Registrar, 4024 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.

ACCEPTABLE ACADEMIC STATUS

All students must receive a C- or better in all required courses in the professional curriculum. Students who receive a grade below a C- must repeat that course and attain a grade of C- or better. Students will not be permitted to register for a course if they receive a grade below C- in a prerequisite for that course.

REPEATING COURSES

Students must repeat required courses in the professional curriculum in which they receive a grade below C-. Students are permitted to repeat a course one time only. When a student successfully repeats a course at the University of Pittsburgh, the repeated course grade and not the original grade is computed in the QPA.

A course in which a passing grade has been achieved may not be repeated to improve the grade. Since major portions of the various curricula are sequential in nature and courses are offered only once a year, courses cannot be repeated until the following academic year. See Repeating Courses in the Grading and Records section of this bulletin for more information.

CLASS DESIGNATION

Class designation of undergraduate students is based on successful completion of course requirements for each curricular year in the school. Therefore, all requirements in the junior year must be met before promotion to the senior year.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

Part-time students must complete bachelor degree requirements within a reasonable period of time. A Plan of Study will be worked out with the student's advisor detailing the length of time needed to complete the program.

ADVANCED STANDING

A maximum of 60 credits will be posted on the SHRS transcript unless indicated to the Office of Student Services via the Plan of Study that the student qualifies for more than 60 credits. Grades of D will be accepted for advanced standing from all universities and colleges provided the D indicates passing. However, a D grade will not be accepted for advanced standing if it occurs in a prerequisite course.

Advanced standing for courses in the professional curriculum is a departmental decision. If advanced standing is not granted, credit by examination for specified courses may be taken to demonstrate mastery of the course content. Advanced standing is reflected on the Plan of Study, which the student completes with his or her academic advisor. The Office of Student Services will post advanced standing only as indicated by the Plan of Study.

CLINICAL EDUCATION - DIRECTED PRACTICE

Clinical or field learning experience is an integral and essential part of SHRS undergraduate professional programs. All students preparing to be clinical dietitians, emergency medicine technicians (paramedics), health information managers, or occupational therapists will spend a specific amount of time in a variety of clinical education experiences. These experiences are planned sequentially and in coordination with classroom or laboratory courses taken on campus.

All clinical education experiences take place at sites that have signed contracts with the University of Pittsburgh. An SHRS faculty member, usually called a Coordinator of Clinical Education, assigns students to these sites. Supervision or instruction during clinical education is provided by health professionals qualified appropriately for the type or level of content studied by the student. Students are required to carry professional liability insurance and personal health insurance during all phases of clinical education.

Students may be required to travel a distance or to relocate outside the city for their clinical education assignments. All expenses for transportation, housing, food, etc., are the student's responsibility.

Students must wear proper attire, which may vary with the clinical education. Students studying to be health information managers, for example, will dress in street clothes, while students studying to be clinical dietitians may wear white lab coats. Safety may be a consideration. The coordinator of clinical education will provide specific information about clothing or uniforms for each program.

Because of clinical education time requirements for accreditation purposes, any student who misses clinical time for any reason must see the appropriate practicum instructor or coordinator of clinical education to arrange for any needed make-up time.

GRADUATION

Candidates for a bachelor's degree from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of 120 credits, 30 (at minimum) of which must have been taken while registered in the school, and candidates must have completed the requirements for the program in which they have enrolled. The student's advisor must approve these credits. To qualify for graduation, students must have completed all courses and other degree requirements and must have a Plan of Study on file in the Office of Student Services, 4024 Forbes Tower.

The QPA used for graduation and for the awarding of honors will be calculated as a composite of all courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh counting toward completion of the degree. The baccalaureate degree student attaining an outstanding scholastic record may, upon vote of the faculty, be graduated with program honors if a minimum of 60 letter-graded credits has been earned at the University of Pittsburgh. A minimum QPA of 2.00 is required to graduate. A student failing to remove a D, F, G, or I grade in a required course will not graduate.

An application for graduation must be filed in the SHRS Office of Student Services at the time of registration for the term in which the student expects to complete all requirements for graduation. Students must be registered for a minimum of one credit in the term/session in which they plan to graduate. Students who have maintained an excellent academic record may also graduate with University Honors. See the Graduation section of this bulletin for further details.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

CLINICAL DIETETICS AND NUTRITION (CDN)

It is widely accepted that good nutrition plays a major role in the maintenance of health and the quality of life, the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, as well as recovery and rehabilitation following physiological trauma. Although a number of professions include nutrition as one area of research and/or practice interests, it is the profession of dietetics that dedicates its efforts entirely to the improvement of the nutritional status of people and the advancement of the science of nutrition. Registered dietitians whose specialized education is based in the biological, sociological, nutritional, and food sciences provide nutritional care to people, both well and ill, by using their expertise in nutrition science, food science, psychological and social significance of eating behavior management, food economics, budgeting, counseling, and educational methodology. Registered dietitians practice in a variety of settings. These include hospitals and other health care institutions (as either clinicians or food administrators), industry, government, and in private practice.

Preparation for a career as a registered dietitian requires the completion of a bachelor's degree in an approved program and accredited supervised clinical education experience program (didactic internship), followed by the passing of a national registration examination. The clinical dietetics and nutrition program offers several options for meeting the eligibility requirements to take the registration examination:

• Completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in an accredited undergraduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD). This is a concentrated program in which supervised clinical education experiences are incorporated into the baccalaureate curriculum, eliminating the need for an additional postbaccalaureate internship. The CPD program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 216 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois, 60605-6995, (312) 899-5400.
• Completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in a Didactic Program in Dietetics requiring subsequent completion of an accredited post-baccalaureate dietetic internship program. The University assumes no responsibility for the placement or supervision of graduates in dietetic internships. The Didactic Program in Dietetics is approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.

Both preceding options are available at SHRS. The emphasis in both programs is clinical dietetics practice. Admission prerequisites for both options are the same. For more information on these programs, see http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/cdn/degrees/undergrad.html

Admission Prerequisites for CDN:

Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD) Curriculum

Didactic Program in Dietetics Curriculum

COMMUNICATION SCIENCE

The Department of Communication Science and Disorders offers a major in communication science, an area of study which focuses on the scientific principles underlying human communication. Attention is given to the cognitive, psychological, behavioral, neurophysiological, anatomical, and linguistic bases of human communication, emphasizing both normal and disordered functioning of the speech, language, and hearing systems.

This major, leading to a BA degree, is particularly appropriate for students considering graduate study in communication science and disorders (speech-language pathology and/or audiology). An undergraduate major in communication science is also appropriate for graduate work in the neurosciences, health-related professions (including dentistry and medicine), special education, speech and hearing sciences, and education of the deaf.

Admission Requirements

Students entering the University of Pittsburgh as freshmen will be admitted initially to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) through the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Approximately the first two years of study will involve general education courses (see below), after which students will transfer to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. During these first two years it is recommended that one or two of the major courses are taken.

Students can enter SHRS for study in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders, either from CAS or from another institution, once they have acquired approximately 60 credits. Any student interested in communication science should obtain transfer forms after they have completed 45 credits. Once admitted to the department, each student will be assigned a faculty advisor and will have access to the general advisor to facilitate planning of courses. Students interested in communication science should contact the general advisor at (412) 383-6562, as early as possible to take advantage of the specialized advising facilities. For more information on the department, see http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/csd.

Course Requirements for Undergraduate Major in Communication Science

General Education Requirements: (60 credits)

Basic Skills Requirements:

Major (Core) Courses: 40 credits

Courses in the communication science major are offered in the Fall and Spring Terms. Several courses have prerequisites, and care needs to be taken when planning the curriculum.

Mandatory Elective (Cluster System) Courses: 15 credits

Five courses must be completed, one from each of the areas listed below. These courses are designed to ensure that the student is well educated in related disciplines, in keeping with the place of communication science and disorders at the confluence of several realms of study.

1. Statistics and measurement (e.g., Tests and Measurements, Applied Statistical Methods, Basic Applied Statistics) - 3 cr.
2. Biological, neurological and cognitive foundations of communication (e.g., Human Cognition and Learning, Introduction to Biopsychology, Foundations of Biology, Sensation and Perception, Introduction to Neuroscience) - 3 cr.
3. Philosophy of science (e.g., Introduction to Philosophy of Science, Medical Sociology, Philosophy of Medicine) - 3 cr.
4. Sociocultural studies (e.g., Human Relations in Health Care, Aspects of Sociolinguistics, Global Civilization) - 3 cr.
5. Lifespan development (e.g., Developmental Psychology, Sociology of Aging, Adolescent Psychology) - 3 cr.

The examples given for each cluster provide a guideline as to the type of courses to be taken. The student should consult with the academic advisor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders to discuss other possible courses.

Several of these courses may also satisfy general education requirements (e.g., natural science, social science, philosophy, and quantitative reasoning requirements), however this will not reduce the total number of credits required.

Electives

For elective credits, it is recommended that students choose courses from the cluster system for all elective requirements.

Grade Requirements

C- or higher required for basic skills courses and each major (core) course. D- or higher required for general education, cluster, and elective courses. Quality point average (QPA) of 2.00 required for graduation.

Teaching Certification

Students planning to practice after graduate school as speech-language pathologists in Pennsylvania public schools need to take 12 undergraduate credits in the School of Education (not required for communication science major), as well as additional courses at the graduate level.

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

A Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medicine can benefit the emergency medical services (EMS) professional in many ways. This dynamic and multidisciplinary approach to emergency medicine education will provide the student with a strong foundation in clinical experiences, educational expertise, and administrative leadership. This program is designed to meet the growing need for the advanced skill levels required in the EMS profession and to prepare the student for the technical, clinical, and administrative challenges of a career in EMS and health care.

This unique program recognizes that EMS professionals will be entering this program with varying levels of education and is designed accordingly to be flexible to handle this diversity. The program can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis and permits entry at various levels based on the student's career and academic experience.

The Emergency medicine program is a joint effort of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Medicine (Department of Emergency Medicine), and the Center for Emergency Medicine. For more information on the program, see http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/emergency.

Prerequisite Courses

Students are required to take the following prerequisite courses during their freshman and sophomore years:

Emergency Medicine Curriculum

HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (HIM)

In medical facilities, the health information management department is the key health information center for the medical staff, administrators, other health professionals, and the community. A health information manager (registered records administrator) directs the work of this department and is part of the management team in the health care facility helping with decisions affecting patients and the institution. Health information managers design, develop, evaluate, and manage health information systems and disease registries in all types of health care facilities, organizations, and agencies.

Health information management graduates are prepared to function in settings such as acute-care hospitals, psychiatric facilities, ambulatory-care facilities, physician office practices, long-term care facilities, mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, consulting firms, cancer registries, and education research institutions.

In order to meet the data requirements of all facets of the health care delivery system, a broad-based curriculum has been designed for health information management students. The health information manager combines knowledge of health care, health records, information management, and administration to provide quality services that meet the medical, epidemiological, administrative, legal, ethical, regulatory, and institutional requirements of the health care delivery system being served. The graduate must also have an understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, epidemiological research, statistical methods, and legal aspects of health care, as well as knowledge of both state and federal regulations.

Clinical education, beginning in the Spring Term of the junior year, is scheduled at various health care institutions to provide the student with real experiences in the profession. The final clinical education is a six-week, full-time management affiliation at a health care institution within or, at times, outside the state. Students are responsible for expenses during clinical education.

The health information management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs of The American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Following satisfactory completion of all course requirements, the graduate will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science and will be eligible to write both the registration examination of the American Health Information Management Association and the certification examination of the National Tumor Registrars' Association. For more information on the program, see http://www.him.pitt.edu/.

Part-Time Study

In addition to the full-time curriculum, a part-time program is available. An attempt has been made to offer a few of the health information management courses in the late afternoon to accommodate those students who are employed on a full-time basis.

Progression for the Accredited Record Technician (ART)

Provision for transfer of credits may be made for those students who have satisfactorily completed a junior college health information technology program accredited by the Commission on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the American Medical Association in collaboration with the AHIMA. In addition, the HIM department has an articulation agreement with the Health Information Technology Program at the Community College of Allegheny County. Credit by examination is offered for some of the professional courses. Students may receive a waiver for these courses if they successfully pass the examination.

Cancer Registry

The health information management program has been chosen from all the bachelor's degree medical record administration programs in the United States to pilot the first integrated health information/patient registry management program. In addition to acquiring the knowledge and skills of a health information manager, graduates from this program will also have the necessary entry-level competencies to manage patient registries including, but not limited to, cancer, trauma, diabetic, cardiovascular, renal, gerontological, and AIDS registries.

Admission Prerequisites

A minimum of 60 college credits is required, including the following prerequisite courses:

Course work in the following subject areas is recommended:

Economics
Accounting
Business administration
Computer science
Information science
Additional behavioral or experimental psychology courses

Other admission criteria include: minimum cumulative QPA of 2.50 (based on 4.00); minimum of a C- grade in all courses designated as prerequisite; volunteer or paid work experience in the field of health information management is recommended.

Health Information Management Program Curriculum

NOTE: For part-time and ART students, HIM Clinical Education 1440, 1460, 1480, 1495 and HIM 1496 (Senior Project) may be taken in any term with permission of advisor and the instructor after the appropriate prerequisite courses have been completed.

The following elective courses are also suggested:

Accounting
Behavioral or Experimental Psychology
Biostatistics and Research Methodology
Communication (Speech)
Computer science
HRS 1006 (Intro to Human Nutrition)
Information science
Management Science
Pharmacology

COMBINED HIM/HRS GRADUATE PROGRAM

The health information management (HIM) program, in conjunction with the health and rehabilitation sciences (HRS) graduate program, offers a combined program that enables students to obtain a Master of Science degree in HRS with an emphasis in health information systems and a specialization in HIM. The combined program qualifies the graduate as an entry-level health information manager with advanced preparation in health information systems. The program prepares professionals who are responsible for the development and management of health information systems consistent with the clinical, fiscal, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of health care institutions.

Applicants to this program must have a bachelor's degree and must have met all the prerequisites required for entry into the undergraduate program in HIM (see Admissions requirements for HIM).

The curriculum consists of 50 undergraduate credits and 39-40 graduate credits. Students are admitted in the Fall Term only, and six terms of full-time study are required to complete the program. Students will be admitted initially as undergraduate students in the HIM undergraduate program. At the end of the Spring Term, qualified, first-year SHRS students may, upon recommendation of the HIM program faculty, apply for admission to begin graduate studies in the Fall Term of the second year. Qualified students who do not wish to enroll or students who are not accepted into the program may at that time continue as undergraduates and complete a second bachelor's degree with a major in health information management. For more information, see http://www.him.pitt.edu/.

NOTE: All students must complete the entire program that they select (either the program with a major in health information management or the combined program) to be eligible to write both the American Health Information Management Association Registration Examination and the National Tumor Registrars' Association Certification Examination.

Combined Program Curriculum

FALL TERM - First Year
Follow curriculum for HIM undergraduate program.

SPRING TERM - First Year
Follow curriculum for HIM undergraduate program.

Students should apply for admission to the combined program prior to Summer Session I.

COORDINATED HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT BS
IN PREPARATION FOR THE MHA (GSPH-KGSB) INTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

The health information management program offers a coordinated program that provides an opportunity for students with upper-level management career objectives to receive intensive and more advanced management education. The program provides an excellent avenue for advancement within the management hierarchy of health care organizations by building on the courses in the undergraduate HIM program.

The coordinated program enables HIM students to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree and prepares students to seek admission to the Graduate School of Public Health, which awards the Master of Health Administration degree.

Applicants to the coordinated program must have all the prerequisites required for entry into the undergraduate HIM program. Students will be admitted initially as undergraduates and then seek admission to the coordinated program.

Coordinated Program Curriculum

Students will follow the same curriculum as outlined in the health information management undergraduate program. Students will be eligible to take both the American Health Information Management Association National Registration Examination and the National Registrars' Association Certification Examination at the completion of the fourth year.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY*

Occupational therapists are health care professionals who assist individuals whose abilities to function in the areas of self-care, work, or play and leisure are threatened or impaired. An occupational therapist assumes the roles of practitioner, manager of occupational therapy services, and contributor to the health profession of occupational therapy. Those who choose occupational therapy as their life work should have a genuine interest in people.

Occupational therapists use purposeful activity (occupation) to prevent or mediate dysfunction throughout their patients' life cycles. The occupational therapist assesses an individual's capacities and limitations; plans and implements treatment to improve function; reassesses the patient/client's progress; and continues or terminates service or refers the individual to other agencies or professionals.

It is required that the applicant have an awareness of the field through either volunteer or paid work experience in occupational therapy.

All students enrolled in the professional program are required to successfully complete two Level II fieldwork placements as part of their degree requirements.

The occupational therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA's phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. For more information on the occupational therapy program, see http://www.shrs.pitt.edu/ot/index.html.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the SHRS general requirements for undergraduate admission, applicants must successfully complete the following prerequisite courses by the end of the Spring Term and have a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer or paid experience in occupational therapy (two or more clinical settings) to be eligible for application:

The following courses are also highly recommended to be taken before applying to the occupational therapy program:

Anthropology and Sociology
Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Philosophy or Logic

*This course is not a substitute for OT 1540 or 1542. All arrangements for fieldwork assignments must be made in advance with the clinical coordinator of the department.

Rehabilitation Science

The Bachelor of Science program in Rehabilitation Science recognizes the emerging field of rehabilitation science and is designed to prepare students for graduate education in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation technology, as well as for graduate and professional studies in other health care fields.

Early Admissions for Occupational and Physical Therapy majors

Students enrolled in the Rehabilitation Science program will be eligible for early admission. The Departments of Occupational and Physical Therapy are offering early admission to Rehabilitation Science students with a minimum overall and prerequisite QPA of 3.3, a minimum GRE score of 1500, and completion of a required volunteer work.

Admission Requirements:

Students are admitted to the Rehabilitation Science program after successful completion of a minimum of 60 college credits, including the following prerequisite courses:

Note: Students planning to apply to the Master of Physical Therapy program can complete the additional prerequisite courses (e.g., Physics II, Biology II, Chemistry II, etc.) while enrolled in the Rehabilitation Science program.

Other Admission Criteria:

• A minimum of 60 college credits
• Minimum cumulative QPA of 2.5 (based on 4.0)
• Minimum prerequisite QPA of 2.5
• A minimum grade of C- in all courses designated as prerequisites
• Letters of recommendation from faculty

Required Courses

Pre-SHRS curriculum = 60 credits

(including prerequisites)

SHRS curriculum = 60-62 credits

TOTAL DEGREE = 120-122 credits

ATHLETIC TRAINING

The undergraduate athletic training education concentration earned initial CAAHEP accreditation in 1997. Prior to this, the curriculum had been NATA-approved since 1978. The athletic training curriculum is defined by the current National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) Role Delineation Study which consists of six performance domains to include: prevention, recognition, evaluation and assessment, immediate care, treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning, organization and administration, and professional development and responsibility. The curriculum is structured to provide both academic and clinical instruction. The academic coursework includes such courses as anatomy, kinesiology, human and exercise physiology, injury evaluation and treatment, and therapeutic modalities and exercise. This coursework provides a foundation for the hands-on laboratory experiences provided in the clinical setting. The students' clinical education includes apprenticeships with the faculty athletic trainers and team physicians in providing sports medicine services to the University of Pittsburgh varsity athletic teams. Upon completion of the four-year baccalaureate degree, including the athletic training concentration, the students are eligible to sit for the NATABOC certification examination. Successful completion of this exam affords the candidate a variety of employment opportunities including athletic training positions at the high school, college, or university level; sports medicine and rehabilitation clinics; and professional athletic teams.

Procedures

Application to the athletic training education concentration is made following successful completion of at least 45 credits including REHSCI 1811 and 1812. Notification of admission occurs following a personal interview with the athletic training faculty and review of final transcripts.

Prerequisites for Admission

A.

B. Successful completion of at least 60 credits of coursework prior to admission.

C. 45 clinical observation hours under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer at the University of Pittsburgh. These hours are made available to students who are registered for Basic Athletic Training (REHSCI 1811).

D. 20 hours of observation outside the University of Pittsburgh and under the direct supervision of a certified athletic trainer. The twenty hours must be distributed evenly between a high school facility and a sports medicine clinic.

Selection Criteria

Based upon the following:

A. Overall minimum QPA of 2.80

B. Completion of all prerequisites

C. Personal interview

D. Personal qualities important for athletic training, i.e. enthusiasm, motivation, positive health habits, strong work ethic, and time commitment.

The following course sequence is identical for all Athletic Training students in the junior and senior years.

ATHLETIC TRAINING CURRICULUM SEQUENCE

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