Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science

The Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science is designed to prepare students for graduate study in physical therapy, occupational therapy or sports medicine (athletic training).
This degree combines core courses with a major curriculum specifically designed by the physical therapy faculty to meet the needs of students entering either the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy or sports medicine.

The bachelor's degree program combines a strong science curriculum (chemistry, physics, biology, and anatomy and physiology) need for success in the health professions with a strong background in the behavioral sciences (general and abnormal psychology and health and human development). The students' knowledge of exercise and exercise principles is developed in a three-course sequence of courses that focuses in turn on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and cardiovascular-pulmonary bases of exercise. An opportunity is given to customize each program with up to six elective courses that can be chosen from the biological, behavioral and health sciences

Career Opportunities

There is a tremendous demand for rehabilitation professionals in Georgia and the nation, with current and future shortages reported by the Bureau of Labor. The employment outlook is projected to remain favorable. Those who major in rehabilitation science may go on to:
: :    Graduate school (e.g., Advanced degree in physical therapy, sports medicine,
        occupational therapy, exercise physiology, kinesiology)
: :    Physical therapy
: :    Sports medicine
: :    Athletic administration
: :    Athletic training (e.g., high school, college, professional sports, clinics)
: :    Cardiac rehabilitation (e.g., hospitals, clinics)
: :    Coaching (e.g., youth sports)
: :    Commercial, community and corporate fitness
: :    Health/Wellness programming (e.g., hospitals, universities, hotels, recreation agencies)
: :    Physical education
: :    Personal training, such as strength training/conditioning
: :    Teaching (e.g., elementary, high school, college)

Admission

Applicants must meet all AASU admission requirements. Any student may request classification as a Rehabilitation Science Major. Upper level coursework is very demanding, and continued success will depend upon academic performance.

Course of Study

Rehabilitation Science is one of several degree paths that can be used to enter physical therapy, occupational therapy, or graduate sports medicine (athletic training) programs. This degree requires the completion of university core and prerequisite sciences, including statistics, general biology (2 courses), chemistry (2 courses), anatomy and physiology (2 courses), and physics (2 courses). The curriculum is designed to optimally prepare students to apply to a variety of programs. Students should check the prerequisite requirements for any program to which they plan to apply. The upper-division courses in Rehabilitation Science include such topics as exercise physiology, kinesiology, applied anatomy and neuroscience.