Supplemental Coursework
Each student will work closely with their Academic Advisor/Research Mentor to create an individually designed plan of study that will enable the student to acquire the additional skills and knowledge to conduct research in their area of interest. The equivalent of 9 credits (3 regular term courses) is the minimum requirement for the supplemental coursework, but the actual number of courses/credits can exceed this minimum and will be determined for each individual student in consultation with their Academic Advisor/Research Mentor. Supplemental coursework may be comprised of selected courses at other institutions in the Boston Area as well as specifically designed/focused Independent Studies (RS-990, see next section) with faculty members who have expertise in the area(s) of interest. Independent studies can comprise up to 3 credits of supplemental coursework; at least 6 credits should be from graduate level courses at courses at outside institutions. Typical graduate level coursework from outside institutions includes higher level statistics, research design, and methods courses with content that builds on or complements core PhD RS coursework. An introductory scientific writing course or similar level course may not be used toward supplemental coursework. The PhD RS department keeps a working list of common courses used by past students. Approval of the Executive Committee is needed for more than 3 credits of independent study to be used toward supplemental coursework. A Supplemental Coursework Form (template available on the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Teams) is completed in collaboration with the Research Mentor/Academic Advisor and submitted to the Executive Committee for review, typically before the end of the second semester of study (Spring of Year 1). All supplemental coursework can be taken for letter grade or as Pass/Fail. It is the responsibility of the Academic Advisor to present the Supplemental Coursework Plan to the program’s Executive Committee for approval. Frequently, revisions may be requested by the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences Executive Committee for resubmission and further consideration. Once approved, the Plan can be updated as needed in collaboration with the Academic Advisor and Research Mentor. A revised Supplemental Coursework Plan detailing changes from the original plan and the rationale for changes should be submitted to the Executive Committee via the Supplemental Course Plan Submission Form and presented by the Academic Advisor for approval. If courses are taken outside of institutes with which the IHP has course sharing agreements, the cost of tuition will be the responsibility of the student (see 3.1.2.2 Transfer courses).