PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences

Essential Functions

The Rehabilitation Sciences PhD program is granted through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and is one of the Population Health Sciences (PHS) programs granted through GSBS. Please see the GSBS policies web page for more information.

The following description details essential functions (abilities) needed to complete any of the PHS programs. The PHS graduate programs support the opportunity afforded individuals with disabilities by The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and encourage potential students to explore their interests and consider the match between their abilities and the job requirements for careers in population health, public health, clinical science or rehabilitation sciences. If accepted into any of the programs, students requiring accommodations for successful achievement are encouraged to identify their needs as soon as possible to enable instructors to provide reasonable accommodations. Guidelines for establishing a disability and requesting accommodations are contained in Students with Disabilities: An Institutional Policy (1997).

For a copy of the policy and assistance with this process, students should contact the UTMB Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (CSSD) at 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0106 or call (409) 772-1463.

Any information regarding a disability is considered confidential; only those individuals responsible for assuring the reasonable accommodations will have access to this information.

Student Job Description

According to Students with Disabilities: An Institutional Policy (1997, p. 8), all candidates for degrees at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston must be able to perform the following essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations:

  1. Observation (to include the various sensory modalities) – accurately observe close at hand and a distance to gather data and learn skills.
  2. Communication – communicate effectively and efficiently; process and comprehend written material; proficient in English (written and oral).
  3. Psychomotor Skills – execute the various tasks and any physical maneuvers that are required within each curriculum or course.
  4. Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities – measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, integrate, remember, and apply information; comprehend three dimensional relationships; and understand the spatial relationships of structures. Creative problem solving and scientific reasoning require all of these intellectual abilities.
  5. Professional and Social Attributes – exercise thoughtful judgment and promptly complete all responsibilities required of each curriculum or course; develop and maintain mature, sensitive, and effective professional relationships with others; function effectively under stress; adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; and function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities. Express concern for others; interpersonal competence and motivation are requisite for all curricula or courses.
  6. Ethical Standards – demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviors; perform in an ethical manner in dealings with others. All PHS curricula require personal integrity and the adherence to the highest standards of professional conduct.

In addition, students in any of the PHS programs will need to perform the following essential cognitive, affective, and psychomotor functions, with or without reasonable accommodations:

  1. Process, retain, and integrate information from the following types of sources:
    • oral delivery by instructor(s) or student(s)
    • blackboard data and diagrams
    • printed material (handouts, journals, manuals, books, medical records, computers, computer printouts)
    • PowerPoint presentations
    • overhead transparencies
    • slides; film and video segments
    • audio recordings
    • live demonstrations
    • one-to-one and group interactions in the classroom
    • internet-based or teleconferences
    • lab, equipment, and machinery
    • evaluation and intervention tools
    • and community-based preventive activities
  2. Complete coursework that may require
    • independent mobility to various locations on and off campus and other geographic areas
    • individual, partnered, or group efforts
    • satisfactorily following written or oral instructions
    • recording personals opinions, knowledge, or ratings; verbalizing personal thoughts, feelings, and other opinions
    • instruction of others; presenting oral reports
    • facilitating group discussions; role playing
    • managing time effectively; exposure to hazardous materials
    • working with individuals with infectious diseases and terminal illnesses; and working in potentially life-threatening situations or with such agents.
  3. Take and pass in a timely fashion scheduled and pop quizzes, exams, practical demonstrations, or other field assessments in a variety of formats.

During the PHS educational experiences, the student may be required to attend class or other learning sessions that meet at times other than conventional workday hours such as during the evening hours or on weekends. Students must be able to physically attend classes of up to three hours duration. Required learning experience may also involve relocation to other sites in Texas or surrounding states at the student's expense.

Lecture Essential Functions

  1. Process, retain, and integrate information from the following types of sources:
    • oral delivery/ reading by instructor(s) or student(s)
    • blackboard data and diagrams
    • printed material (handouts, manuals, texts)
    • overhead transparencies
    • slides
    • film and video segments
    • audio recordings
    • live demonstrations
    • computerized records
  2. Respond to questions asked or problems formulated. Ask questions pertinent to topic.
  3. Participate in large- and small-group discussions and tasks in a fashion that recognizes others' need to understand.
  4. Complete in-class exercises/activities that may require:
    1. recording personal opinions, knowledge, or ratings
    2. following written or oral instructions
  5. Present oral reports (planned or impromptu) or do role-plays or other active learning strategies.
  6. Take and pass tests in a timely fashion in a variety of formats, both written and computer-generated.
  7. Demonstrate the following professional behaviors:
    • arrive punctually
    • notify faculty if circumstances prevent attendance
    • satisfactorily make up missed assignments
    • assume responsibility for personal actions
    • demonstrate functional level of self-confidence and assurance
    • demonstrate the ability to be a cooperative and contributing member of the group
    • tolerate the views of others
    • state own opinions assertively
    • establish priorities relative to assignments
    • demonstrate honesty and personal integrity
    • handle personal anxiety
    • respect the rights of others
    • handle numerous assignments and responsibilities simultaneously