Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, PHD
Program Director: Marie Hoeger Bement M.P.T., Ph.D.
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science website
Degree Offered
Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Physical Therapy Mission
To prepare future health care practitioners and researchers with an education rich in clinical experiences, community outreach, and research opportunities to develop leaders guided by the values of “Cura Personalis.”
Learning Outcomes
The exercise and rehabilitation science (EXRS) doctoral program is built on the knowledge and skills of a licensed post-baccalaureate trained clinician or master's student in a related field and provides students with advanced knowledge and skills related to clinical and translational research in fields including pathokinesiology, neuroscience, motor and respiratory control, exercise physiology, medical decision making, skeletal muscle physiology and sports medicine.
Graduates of the Doctoral Degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Will be Able to:
- Deliver an effective oral presentation of the dissertation proposal.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of pertinent literature.
- Identify research questions or problems that are pertinent and significant.
- Gather, organize, analyze and report data using an appropriate conceptual framework.
- Adhere to requirements for protection of human subjects.
- Interpret results in a way that relates to the research findings and adds to understanding in the field.
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Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship in their own careers and in the mentorship of others.
Program Description
The doctor of philosophy in exercise and rehabilitation science builds upon the core competencies of clinical degrees (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medical ethics and patient care) with course work in rehabilitation systems physiology, applied neurophysiology, statistics, molecular genetics and research methodology. Students gain extensive research experience in the exercise, rehabilitation and movement disorders research core laboratories housed within the exercise science program and the Department of Physical Therapy. Research includes the use of EMG, transcranial magnetic stimulation, motion analysis, biomechanics, isokinetic dynamometry, fMRI, body composition, bone mineral density, diagnostic ultrasound and acute and chronic exercise training to explore mechanisms of dysfunction and develop theories for restoring function in people with movement disorders. Movement disorders cross age, gender and all ethnic boundaries and include populations with multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cancer, Type II diabetes, survivors, pediatric obesity, cardiovascular diseases and chronic pain syndromes.
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeastern Wisconsin is a major partner with Marquette’s exercise and rehabilitation science program. Marquette’s participation in this consortium expands opportunities for academic, medical and clinical research within Milwaukee. CTSI partner institutions include the Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Zablocki V.A. Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.
General Information
Students applying to the doctoral program must have successfully completed either a master’s degree in a related discipline or a post-baccalaureate clinical degree (D.P.T., M.P.T., M.P.A., M.S.N., M.D., etc.) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 (based on a 4.000 scale). Applicants to the master's program must have an undergraduate degree in a related field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 (based on a 4.000 scale).
The GRE (if applicable) must have been completed within the previous six years, and official scores must be sent to Marquette University directly from Educational Testing Service.
Academic Standards
A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required in the exercise and rehabilitation science program. The Policies tab describes the criteria and procedures for academic warnings, probation, removal of probation and dismissal. The exercise and rehabilitation science program strictly follows these policies and procedures.
Exercise and Rehabilitation Science Doctorate
The program of course work and research for the doctoral degree in exercise and rehabilitation science is determined in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. Each student is advised to take such courses that are properly related to academic background and research interests. A doctoral student must complete a program of study defined, in conjunction with an adviser, on an approved Doctoral Program Planning Form.
A maximum of 24 credit hours from a previously earned master's degree may be counted toward the required post-baccalaureate total of 70 credit hours required for the doctoral degree, resulting in 46 post-master's credit hours. The credit hours required at the post-master's level could be higher, depending on the specific course work taken at the master's level.
Credits from graduate course work transferred in are selected from basic science foundational topics (i.e., advanced anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics and pharmacology). Selected courses are documented on the Doctoral Program Planning Form which must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the first year.
In addition to the course work completed prior to enrollment in the doctoral program, students may choose to complete graduate course work at a partnering Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) during their time of study. Once the mentor has been selected, advanced graduate electives may be chosen from any of the CTSI partner institutions (MSOE, MCW, UWM). See the Departmental Graduate Student Handbook for specific requirements. Advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree is considered following successful completion of all requirements specified on the Doctoral Program Planning Form and after passing a doctoral qualifying examination.
Required Post-Master's Course Work
A typical doctoral student must complete 27 credit hours of core course work, 7 credit hours of advanced electives (minimum of 2 courses, with no more than 6 credit hours coming from a seminar or research methods course). All students are required to attend the departmental seminar series which expands the student’s knowledge in research theory, statistical analysis, basic biomechanics, kinesiology principles and ethical decision-making, as well as exposure to research opportunities within the program. In addition, doctoral candidates complete 12 credit hours of dissertation work for a combined total (including master's transfer credits) of 70 credit hours. The student must submit and defend a dissertation after completing all other formal requirements for the doctoral degree.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
EXRS 6001 | Applied and Rehabilitative Systems Physiology | 3 |
EXRS 6030 | Advanced Principles and Instrumentation in Biomechanics | 3 |
EXRS 6201 | Neurophysiological Principles in Disease and Rehabilitation | 3 |
EXRS 6320 | Molecular and Biochemical Techniques in Rehabilitation Health Science | 2 |
EXRS 6953 | Journal Club in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science | 2 |
EXRS 6957 | Inquiry and Scientific Method 1 | 1 |
EXRS 6958 | Readings and Research 1 | 1 |
EXRS 6959 | Readings and Research 2 | 1 |
EXRS 6960 | Inquiry and Scientific Method 2 | 1 |
BISC 5340 | Human and Applied Medical Genetics | 3 |
HEAL 8015 | Applied Statistics for Health Sciences | 3 |
or MSSC 5720 | Statistical Methods | |
HEAL 8016 | Advanced Applied Statistics | 3 |
GRAD 6945 | Exchange/Medical College of Wisconsin (Methods in Grant Preparation) | 1 |
Elective course work - choose from course options below. 1 | 7 | |
EXRS 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: | 46 |
1 | Elective credits may exceed 7 credit hours depending on amount of credit accepted in transfer from master's degree. |
Elective Course Work
Students select elective courses to develop a plan of study that is consistent with their personal and professional interests.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students complete 7 credit hours of elective courses from the list below or any approved graduate-level course. | ||
EXRS 6290 | Brain Dissection | 1 |
EXRS 6380 | Contemporary Pain Rehabilitation | 2 |
EXRS 6515 | Neuromuscular Plasticity in Health and Disease | 3 |
EXRS 6540 | Fatigue in Health and Disease | 3 |
EXRS 6550 | Physiology of Aging | 3 |
EXRS 6560 | Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis | 2 |
EXRS 6570 | Neuromodulation Techniques and Applications in Rehabilitation Science | 3 |
EXRS 6590 | Performance and Rehabilitation | 2 |
EXRS 6650 | Research Methods in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science | 1-6 |
University Policies
- Academic Censure - Graduate School
- Academic Integrity
- Academic Misconduct
- Academic Program Definitions
- Accelerated Degree Programs
- Attendance - Graduate School
- Awarding Diplomas and Certificates
- Background Checks, Drug Testing
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- Credit Hour
- Credit Load - Graduate School
- Faculty Grading
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act-FERPA
- Grade Appeals
- Grading System - Graduate School and Graduate School of Management
- Graduation - Graduate School
- Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements
- Last Date of Attendance/Activity
- Military Call to Active Duty or Training
- Registration - Graduate School
- Repeated Courses - Graduate School
- Student Data Use and Privacy
- Transcripts-Official
- Transfer Course Credit - Graduate School
- Withdrawal - Graduate School
Graduate School Policies
- Academic Performance
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- Certificate Concurrent Enrollment
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- Courses and Prerequisites
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