Rehabilitation Science (M)
The Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) degree is intended to offer students an opportunity to receive a broad based education in rehabilitation while meeting the pre-requisites for the Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) Programs at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Students who are enrolled in BSRS may be eligible to apply for admission to the OT and PT programs at CUW.
Mission
The mission of Concordia University’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Science is to prepare professionals to practice competently with a diverse population and to have knowledge and the ability to use resources to facilitate health promotion in the community
General Academic Information
Students who choose to complete only the BSRS degree have an opportunity to explore a wide range of health care employment opportunities. A bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Science can qualify an individual for positions in community public health, community mental health, wellness programs, managed care organizations, child-care facilities, adult day-care facilities, pharmaceutical sales, medical sales, assistive living/independent living centers, specialty Alzheimer’s disease care centers, fitness programs, nursing homes and hospitals. Students should be aware that a BSRS degree alone does not meet the requirements to sit for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam to become an occupational therapist or the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for physical therapy.
Program Outcomes
- Students will be able to understand basic rehabilitation.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate in a professional manner both orally and in written communication.
- Students will apply medical ethics in a rehabilitation context and be able to solve problems in an ethical manner.
- Students will explain their understanding and apply the concept of health promotion in a rehabilitative context.
- Students will be able to explain and understand the impact of culture in rehabilitation.
- Students will be able to distinguish the effects of societal and political policies on rehabilitation.
BSRS Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | 45 | |
| Major Requirements | 27 | |
| Electives | 48 | |
Fulfilled through OT/PT for students in Accelerated and Bridge | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core. |
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Common Core Experience | ||
| REL 100 | The Bible | 3 |
| REL 110 | Christian Faith | 3 |
| CCE 110 | Western Culture & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 120 | Western Thought & Worldview | 3 |
| CCE 130 | Christian Citizen | 3 |
| CCE 140 | Science & Humanity | 3 |
| Faith and Life | ||
| Any REL course above 204 | 3 | |
| Communication and Language | ||
| ENG 104 | Intro to Writing | 3 |
| COMM 201 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Human Creativity and Expression | ||
| Choice of Human Creativity and Expression Course | 3 | |
| Human Beings and Being Human | ||
| HHP 100 | Stewardship of the Body | 1 |
| Choice of HHP Activity Course | 1 | |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Natural World | ||
| BIO 191 | Human Anat & Phys I | 4 |
| MATH 205 | Statistics I | 3 |
| Society and Culture | ||
| COMM 460 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Major Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 192 | Human Anat & Phys II | 4 |
| COMM 460 | Cross-Cultural Communication (Also meets core requirement) | 3 |
| HHP 375 | Biomechanics | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| RSC 106 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| RSC 201 | Medical Ethics in Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| RSC 302 | Advanced Anatomy | 4 |
| RSC 304 | Teaching and Learning in Rehab | 3 |
| RSC 310 | Cult in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| SW 215 | Diverse Populations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Additional Pre-Requisites for Students Seeking a Physical Therapy Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 141 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 142 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| EXPH 442 | Exercise Testing and Prescription | 4 |
| EXPH 470 | Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| EXPH 471 | Advanced Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| EXPH 480 | Program Design and Application of Strength and Conditioning Principles | 3 |
| PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 152 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHIL 350 | Bioethical Dilemmas | 3 |
Accelerated BSRS
Students in the BSRS program may focus on the concentrations of Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy. These students will be able to move through the BSRS curriculum at an accelerated rate therefore summer and/or winterim classes may be required (at an extra charge) in order to enter the OT or PT program before they complete their BSRS degree. Please note that when a BSRS student enters the OT or PT program in the accelerated program the student will be charged the graduate tuition rate.
Occupational Therapy Concentration
BSRS students who choose to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy (OT) can be apply for the graduate OT program during their sophomore year. If accepted, they will start OT coursework during their junior year. Some OT coursework will be used to meet elective credits in the BSRS degree. The first 30 first time freshman students who submit a tuition deposit and have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.0 will be placed on a guaranteed OT admission list. A student will forfeit their guaranteed status if any of the following courses are completed with a grade of B- or below: A&P I, A&P II, Advanced Anatomy, and/or Statistics. In order to apply to the Occupational Therapy Program - Accelerated Track, students will need to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, as well as a B or better in Statistics, and a B or better in 8 credits (two semesters) of Anatomy & Physiology. Students should reference the Graduate Catalog for full application information, including those who do not have guaranteed admission.
Physical Therapy Concentration
BSRS students who choose to pursue a career in Physical Therapy (PT) may enter the PT program starting their senior year. For accelerated admission to the PT program students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0, a pre-requisite science course GPA of 3.45 (minimum of a “C” in each science pre-requisite course) , have 40 hours of observation of physical therapists in clinical practice, and successfully complete a face to face interview during the Physical Therapy Program Early Decision visit day. First grades earned in science pre-requisite courses are used to calculate the science GPA. If a student desires to retake a science course to improve their grade in the course, they will need to transfer out of the BSRS degree and find an alternative major.
Bridge Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science
for Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA)
The Bridge Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Science (Bridge BSRS) degree is intended to offer Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA) an opportunity to receive a broad based education in rehabilitation while meeting the pre-requisites for the Occupational Therapy Program - Bridge Track and Bridge Physical Therapy Program at Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). Students who are enrolled in Bridge BSRS are prepared to apply for admission to the OT Program - Bridge Track and Bridge PT program at CUW as all pre-requisite courses are provided within the Bridge BSRS curriculum.
The Bridge program allows the OTA and PTA to continue their employment while completing an undergraduate degree in an online/weekend format. Students meet one weekend per month (Friday 12-9pm; Saturday 8-5pm) on the Mequon, WI campus to complete labs. Students must meet GPA entrance requirements of the OT Program - Bridge Track or Bridge PT program.
Mission
The mission of Concordia University Wisconsin’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Science is to prepare professionals to practice competently with a diverse population and to have knowledge and the ability to use resources to facilitate health promotion in the community
Program Goals
Upon completion of the BSRS degree:
- Students will be able to understand basic rehabilitation.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate in a professional manner both orally and in written communication.
- Students will apply medical ethics in a rehabilitation context and be able to solve problems in an ethical manner.
- Students will explain their understanding and apply the concept of health promotion in a rehabilitative context.
- Students will be able to explain and understand the impact of culture in rehabilitation.
- Students will be able to distinguish the effects of societal and political policies on rehabilitation.
General Academic Requirements
A student must be an OTA or PTA in order to enter the Bridge BSRS program. An OTA or PTA may complete an undergraduate degree (BSRS) at CUW. If an OTA or PTA already has an undergraduate degree they may apply directly to the OT Program - Bridge Track or Bridge PT Program.
Bridge BSRS Admission Requirements Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
- Licensed PTA working at least 80 hours per month as a PTA
- 3.0 cumulative GPA in PTA education
- At least a C or above in foundational science courses in PTA education
- 1 letter of recommendation from a current employer
Bridge BSRS Admission Requirements Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
- Licensed OTA with at least 1 year of work experience
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better from all previous institutions
- 8 credits of Anatomy & Physiology with a B or better
- Must meet transfer core requirements
- Any courses not taken at CUW in the BSRS curriculum that are part of the BSRS degree or transfer core must be completed prior to enrollment
Application to OT and PT Programs
Students in the Bridge BSRS program will be eligible to apply to the Occupational Therapy Program - Bridge Track and the Bridge Physical Therapy Program at CUW. These students should reference the Graduate Catalog for application and program information. They should also work with their undergraduate BSRS advisor on what they need to do to be prepared to apply to the graduate programs. Acceptance into the Bridge BSRS is not an acceptance into the graduate OT and PT programs; however, those enrolled students who meet the admissions requirements for the graduate OT and PT programs will have priority over outside applicants.