Director's Message
Are you interested in working with individuals with disabilities to improve their quality of life, access, and participation in their community? Maybe your long-term goals are to work in the rehabilitation field as an occupational therapist, physical therapist or other health professional or perform cutting edge research to improve clinical practice. I invite you to explore our undergraduate degree in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science.
Our undergraduate program is a student-focused degree for those whose passion is helping individuals with a short-term or chronic disability to reach their fullest potential.
Your Future
Christopher Hurt, Ph.D.
Program DirectorThe Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science curriculum prepares graduates for:
Employment in:
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- disability advocacy with state and local government
- adaptive fitness specialist
- therapeutic recreation
- rehabilitation through health promotion or community health
Health professional degree programs such as:
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- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- physician assistant
- public health
- medicine
Masters and doctoral studies in rehabilitation science.
Our Mission
The central mission of the Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science undergraduate major is to provide a vibrant student body with a diverse educational background in disability and rehabilitation toward maximizing academic and commercial/ government employment opportunities.
If you have questions, please contact our academic advisor, Adam Pinson at
Christopher Hurt, Ph.D.
Program Director, B.S. in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science
Hutchinson becomes first graduate of UAB’s Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science undergraduate program
Bailey Hutchinson transformed her battle with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome into a journey of empowerment. Diagnosed during her sophomore year, her recovery through physical therapy enhanced her life and shaped her academic ambitions. She is the first graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science program, setting a new standard for future leaders in in the disability and rehabilitation field.
For more than 50 years, UAB Physical Therapy has been dedicated to educating the best and brightest in the PT industry. And that includes being a preeminent destination for practitioners at all levels who need to fulfill Continuing Education requirements.
Marilyn Gossman Endowed Lecture Series
Marilyn Gossman, PT, PhD, FAPTA, was a physical therapist, educator, researcher, and influential leader who believed the pursuit of knowledge does not end at graduation. Marilyn joined the newly developed physical therapist educational program at UAB in 1967 and soon took over as chair of the program – a position she held for more than 30 years.
In 1998, Marilyn died of breast cancer; while she had accomplished so much, she had so much more to give. Her legacy lives on today through the hundreds of students and faculty members whose lives she touched. Her UAB family continues her legacy of excellence, education and innovation with the Marilyn R. Gossman Endowed Lectureship.
Each year, since 2014, a renowned therapist who has made profound contributions to the physical therapy profession is chosen to give a lecture that is free and open to the public.
UAB Online Training for Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CI therapy) is a physical rehabilitation approach designed to improve motor recovery and increase extremity use following neuromuscular injury such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and brain resection. The online training program consists of 14 self-paced, narrated PowerPoint presentations, multiple activities to enrich learning along the way, demonstration videos, synchronous and asynchronous opportunities to ask questions of course instructors, a huge bank of resources (manuals, journal articles), and built-in strategies to self-assess/check your new skills and clinical application.
Pediatric Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency-Based Course
Sponsored by The UAB Department of Physical Therapy & The American Physical Therapy Association, this intense, evidence-based, four-day in person course is designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists and MDs with experience treating pediatric patients/clients. The course consists of lecture and laboratory sessions with additional self-study sessions. Upon completion of the course, participants will earn 3.7 continuing education units (37 contact hours). Participants passing the written examination will earn an additional 3 contact hours for passing the written examination (total possible is 4.0 CEU). Continuing education units will be awarded by the American Physical Therapy Association.
The UAB Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions has offered outstanding educational programs in physical therapy for more than 50 years. We offer the brand new undergradaute B.S. in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science, the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program for students who choose to become physical therapists, and an interdisciplinary PhD program in Rehabilitation Science.
We also offer a Graduate Certificate in Primary Care Physical Therapy for Underserved Populations, a Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program, an Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program, as well as many Continuing Education opportunities for practicing physical therapists.
International Students
One of the best things about UAB is its amazing variety of its scholars — we are home to more than 2,000 international students, scholars and visitors annually. We want you to have every opportunity to succeed in your course work and college life. Here are some easy tips for you to follow:
- Visit the UAB International Student and Scholar Services website. They have all sorts of forms, guides, and helpful links to make your life easier.
- Don’t be shy. Let your instructors know that English is your second language.
- Meet regularly with your professors. They are experts and can help!
- Visit the UAB English Language Institute. They will give you assistance with both oral and written English.
- Visit the UAB Writing Center. They have tutors and instructional workshops.
- Consider Graduate School classes for professional development.
- Make friends with fellow graduate students and work in your campus office.
- Frustrated and out of options? UAB counselors are there for you.
We invite you to explore all of the programs and services offered to international students. International Student and Scholar Services will be able to advise you about how to apply and who to contact for information. Please visit their website, or send general questions to
And remember — you are not alone! There are other international students/non-native English speakers in graduate programs across campus.