The Rehabilitative Health Sciences Major, B.S. (RHSC-BS)
The Department of Rehabilitative Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC-BS). This major focuses on human function, disability, and rehabilitation from the perspectives of the health sciences, social sciences, psychology, and related fields. The degree is unique in offering students interested in the rehabilitative health care professions the opportunity to develop skills in the areas of evidence-based practices, person-centered care, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration in working with diverse cultures and varied settings. Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC-BS) incorporates varying areas of rehabilitative health sciences, and includes topics such as assistive technology, rehabilitation policy, administrative principles, measurement and assessment, sensory/motor function, and cultural aspects of disability and rehabilitation. The curriculum is framed within the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, which places emphasis on patient-centered interprofessional practice, and fosters the application of core competencies of interprofessional collaboration. The interprofessional focus of the RHSC-BS program enhances professional growth and development opportunities through interactions between student groups of the health sciences colleges at ETSU.
Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC-BS) incorporates varying areas of rehabilitative health sciences, and includes topics such as assistive technology, rehabilitation policy, administrative principles, measurement and assessment, sensory/motor function, and cultural aspects of disability and rehabilitation. The curriculum is framed within the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, which places emphasis on patient-centered interprofessional practice, and fosters the application of core competencies of interprofessional collaboration. The interprofessional focus of the RHSC-BS program enhances professional growth and development opportunities through interactions between student groups of the health sciences colleges at ETSU.
Graduates with a B.S. in Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC-BS) follow a rigorous curriculum that serves as a stepping stone to many career options including excellent preparation for application to graduate-level programs in health-related fields including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, Rehabilitation Counseling, among others.
Graduates with a B.S. in Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC-BS) who choose not to apply to graduate-level programs also have a wide variety of career options. Some of these options include: home care services, patient liaison, public and private case management, veterans affairs and benefits administration, disability transition services, public and private rehabilitation, vocational assessment and evaluation, disability advocacy, and assistive technology. Graduates are prepared to emerge as professionals focusing on human function, disability and rehabilitation while working in culturally diverse settings.
For more information and any questions you may have, an academic advisor is available. Meet Advisor
Program Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this degree program, the student is expected to do the following:
- Define key elements of the U.S. rehabilitative health care system.
- Describe major chronic illnesses and disabilities.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different roles, responsibilities, and expertise of rehabilitative health professionals.
- Demonstrate knowledge of patient-centered care within the framework of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Health, Disability, and Functioning.
- Apply knowledge and application of core bioethical principles to contemporary rehabilitative health issues.
- Develop and apply critical analysis skills to contemporary rehabilitative health issues.
- Apply basic communication skills for rehabilitative health professionals.
- Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes for collaboration with other health professions within an interprofessional practice setting.
Suggested Four-Year Program of Study
Suggested Four-Year Program of Study- Rehabilitative Health Sciences Major, B.S. (RHSC-BS)
Admissions
The RHSC-BS program has open enrollment, and students may enter during any academic semester. All students interested in rehabilitative health care professions are encouraged to apply and pursue the major.