Rehabilitation Science MS

rehab science MS.

The MS program in Rehabilitation Science provides a rigorous curriculum that creates a foundation for research and evidence-based practice in the rehabilitation health fields. 

Program Description

Students graduating from this program are prepared to apply to the PhD programs in rehabilitation science to develop further their roles as scientists, advanced practitioners, educators and leaders. Students may choose to earn this degree as a pathway to career advancement in health care, both in the public and private sectors. Students will enhance their knowledge in research, education and leadership as they develop their specialty in rehabilitation science.

This MS program in Rehabilitation Science serves as a stepping-stone into UB’s Rehabilitation Science PhD program, as well as a credentialing opportunity for professionals who need a master’s degree to further their career. 

Your Choice of Three Tracks

The core courses of the master’s program consist of many of the required courses in the  UB’s PhD program in Rehabilitation Science and are offered with three culminating experience options to accommodate student professional goals. All three options are 36 credits. Students must choose their courses during the application process. The options include:

  • Research Option with Thesis - Fall semester start only
  • Project Option with Capstone Project - Fall semester start only
  • Non-Research (Coursework only) Option with Exam - domestic students can begin this program in either the Fall or Spring semester. International students must start all MS project tracts in the Fall semester to allow for visa processing time. 

Pre-requisites

Applicants to UB's Rehabilitation Science MS program must have completed their undergraduate degree in a health or rehabilitation-related field with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

How to Apply

Apply online to the UB Rehabilitation Science Master's program.

Accepting applications: 

International students who need to obtain a visa must being in the Fall semester. Applications for a Fall 2024 start date are open September 8, 2023 - March 1, 2024.

Domestic students interested in the coursework only track may begin their coursework in either the Fall or Spring semesters. Application windows for domestic students are: 

  • Fall 2024: 9/8/2023 - 6/30/2024
  • Spring 2025:  8/1/2023 - 1/4/2025

 The application is fast, easy and secure. A $50 non-refundable fee is required.

All students must apply to the MS program through the online Graduate School Application Manager.

Materials needed to apply

Before you submit your online application, ensure that you have all of these supplemental materials ready. All application materials must be submitted online.

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
  • Personal statement. Include a statement of interest about why you want to enroll in the program, what your goals are for the program, and the specific area within the broad discipline of rehabilitation science that interests you most.
  • Academic transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities must be uploaded into the application system.   If you are admitted to the program and choose to enroll, you will then be asked to submit official copies of all transcripts prior to matriculation to:
    • University at Buffalo, Rehabilitation Science Department, 501 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14215.
  • NO GREs REQUIRED. 
  • International applicants have additional required materials as outlined in the separate section below. 

International Students

International applicants are encouraged to apply to begin in a Fall term only, to better accommodate visa processing times.

Additional International Applicant required materials

In addition to the materials listed above, international applicants must submit:

  • WES transcript:  Applicants receiving a degree from a college or university located outside of the United States must submit a formal course-by-course evaluation of all non-US transcripts from a third-party verification organization such as World Education Services (WES), which converts international transcripts to grades comparable with the U.S. system of grading.
  • Passport biographical page: Submit a copy of your biographical page (with picture) from your passport.
  • English Language Test Scores: UB accepts the following exams, if they are dated within two years of the time of admission to UB:
    • TOEFL IBT, minimum required score 79 total
    • TOEFL MyBest Score, minimum required score 79 total
    • TOEFL paper-based test (PBT), minimum required score 550 total
    • When requesting your TOEFL scores, use these reporting codes: School 2925; Department 44.
    • IELTS, minimum required score 6.5
    • Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE), minimum required score 55. 
    • Cambridge English Proficiency Exam (CPE, Cambridge C2), minimum required score 185
    • Cambridge English Advance Exam (CEA, Cambridge C1), minimum required score 185.
    • Duolingo English Test (DET), minimum required score 105.
  • If accepted into the UB Rehabilitation Science MS program: J1 and F1 students must complete the International Applicant Financial Form and provide an original, official bank statement documenting at least $52,900 in U.S. funds dated within one year of the date of enrollment. This is required to obtain a student visa. 

Questions about the application process?  Contact the Rehabilitation Science MS program director, Dr. Christopher Stavisky, at cjstavis@buffalo.edu.