Rehabilitation Science, BS

Contact Info

Rebecca Warden
Department Program Coordinator
Department of Rehabilitation Science
rsutter@gmu.edu

Note: This program is no longer accepting new students. Click here to learn more about the degrees currently offered at the College of Public Health and the School of Kinesiology.

There is a growing national focus on the necessity for physical rehabilitation as a primary means to restore function to people living with chronic illnesses and disability to support both an improved quality of life and to promote a vibrant and productive society. Rehabilitation is necessary now more than ever. The faculty of the Department of Rehabilitation Science are researchers and leaders in the field and have developed a novel and evidence-based curriculum to better serve students interested in careers in physical rehabilitation.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in rehabilitation science is a focused curriculum that integrates the basic sciences of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics with the applied and clinical sciences to form a comprehensive study of human function and dysfunction and emerging rehabilitation interventions. 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. The program curriculum, including short descriptions of the required courses, is available in Mason's University Catalog.

View the four-year plan (pdf).

Professional Outcomes

The BS in rehabilitation science is a robust and competitive undergraduate degree for students interested in rehabilitation-related careers after graduation. Graduates will be competitive for a wide range of employment in inpatient, outpatient, and industry-based organizations focused on physical rehabilitation 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.

Additionally, a BS in rehabilitation science is a strong starting point for students interested in entering competitive graduate clinical and research programs in rehabilitation, such as:

  • Physical therapy*
  • Occupational therapy
  • Rehabilitation medicine
  • Clinical exercise physiology
  • Biomechanics
  • Biomedical science

*Mason has a memorandum of understanding in place with Marymount University that guarantees qualified graduates of Mason's BS in Rehabilitation Science an interview for Marymount's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.