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 in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) degree is to provide foundational knowledge, skills, and a faith-based education that prepares students for employment in a health care field and for graduate-level education as a rehabilitation professional.
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 develop an understanding of health, function and disability as fundamental concepts for rehabilitation professionals;
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate in a professional manner;
- Students will explain the typical structure and function of the human body as a foundation for understanding clinical conditions;
- Students will understand and apply Christian perspectives as a guide to promote stewardship of the human body;
- Students will demonstrate the ability to consume scientific evidence as a foundation for rehabilitation services;
- Students will develop an awareness for cultural diversity, belonging, and accessibility for clinical populations;
- Students will explain the ethical implications of regulatory policies in rehabilitation.
BSRS Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | 45 | |
| Major Requirements | 29 | |
| Electives | 46 | |
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 | Introduction 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 Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| MATH 205 | Statistics I | 3 |
| Society and Culture | ||
| COMM 460 | Cross-Cultural Communication | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Major Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Satisfies core requirement) | ||
| BIO 192 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| PSY 230 | Life Span Development | 3 |
| RSC 106 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| RSC 200 | Foundations of Rehabilitation Science | 3 |
| RSC 205 | Evidence Based Practice and Basic Statistics | 3 |
| RSC 206 | Ethical Considerations in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| RSC 302 | Advanced Anatomy | 4 |
| RSC 304 | Teaching and Learning in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| RSC 310 | Culture and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| RSC 325 | Clinical Conditions I | 1 |
| RSC 326 | Clinical Conditions II | 1 |
| Total Hours | 29 | |
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 |
| PHYS 151 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 152 | General Physics II | 4 |
| EXPH 480 | Program Design and Application of Strength and Conditioning Principles | 3 |
Accelerated BSRS
Students in the BSRS program may focus on the concentrations of Occupational Therapy (MOT or OTD) or Physical Therapy (DPT). As students move through the BSRS curriculum at an accelerated rate, they may need to take courses during the summer term (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, she/he will be charged the graduate tuition rate.
Occupational Therapy Concentration
BSRS students who choose to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy (OT) can apply for the graduate OT program (Master of Occupational Therapy - MOT or Occupational Therapy Doctorate - OTD) 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. If at any time in the first two years in the BSRS Program, a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, she/he will forfeit their guaranteed admission to the OT Program. In order to apply to the OT Program - Accelerated Track, students will need to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher across BSRS courses taken during the freshman/sophomore years and a B or higher in two of the three anatomy courses (BIO 191, BIO 192, or RSC 302) and Math 205 (Statistics) or RSC 205 (Evidence Based Practice & Basic Statistics). 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.
Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science - Bridge Track
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 the Bridge BSRS Program are prepared to apply for admission to the OT Program - Bridge Track and Bridge Program - Bridge Track 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 or PT Program Bridge Track
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 PT Program - Bridge Track.
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
- Current resume
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better from all previous institutions
- 8 credits of Anatomy & Physiology with a B or better
- A program-specific essay that describes your reasons for pursuing the BSRS Bridge to MOTOTD Bridge Programs.
- One letter of recommendation from a reference who can speak to the applicant's potential for success in the undergraduate and graduate Bridge Programs.
- 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 BSRS Bridge Program will be eligible to apply to the appropriate Bridge Track (Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy) 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.