We understand that starting or continuing your education at Ohio State is a huge undertaking. Because of that, we want to make sure you have access to the information you need to make informed decisions.
The Master of Science program is open to applicants who have a baccalaureate degree in a health profession from an accredited institution, as well as certification or registration in one of the health professions. International health professionals are eligible to apply to the program; however, it’s important to note that the ability to practice a health profession varies by country and from state to state.
Many graduate students come to Ohio State because there are specific faculty members they want to work with to help guide their careers. And Ohio State attracts a world-class faculty because they know they’ll be teaching the best and brightest graduate and professional students. We are proud of this cycle of excellence. As an applicant you will need a Faculty Advisor as part of your admittance to the program, you may find Faculty Advisors by visiting our MS and PhD Faculty Advisor page. Once you have matched with a Faculty Advisor, they will work with you to complete the Accountable Mentorship Agreement Form.
Application dates
Spring semester:
- Application opens: June 1
- Application closes: Oct. 1
Summer semester
- Application opens: Oct. 1
- Application closes: Feb. 1
Autumn semester
- Application opens: Jan. 1
- Application closes: Apr. 1
Application Deadline Disclaimer: The published application deadlines are the final dates that any materials will be accepted. The MS program must receive all materials including letters of recommendation and attributes survey results from your recommenders by this date. It is recommended that you submit your application at least two weeks prior to the final deadline to allow sufficient time for recommenders to complete and submit their materials. It is the applicant's responsibility to communicate these deadlines with their recommenders to meet requirements for an application review. If any application materials are not received by the deadline, the applicant can be considered for review and admission in the following semester.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to apply to the MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program:
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA
- A bachelor’s degree in a health profession from an accredited institution (or international equivalent)
*Applicants with a non-health background may be considered if clear academic and professional goals have been established prior to applying to the program
Application Materials
Applicants must submit the following materials to apply to the program:
- CV/Resume
- Two letters of recommendation - Letters of recommendation must be submitted by those who can speak on your academic or professional capabilities, know you well, and can provide specific examples of your skills, character, and potential. The program encourages applicants to request letters of recommendation from current or former faculty advisors/professors, supervisors from an internship or professional position or research mentors. Peers, classmates, friends and/or family are not acceptable.
- Statement of Intent that addresses the following:
- What is your preparation for the MS HRS program? Discuss your background, education, training, and/or work experience in the health and rehabilitation sciences field and/or related fields.
- For RESEARCH track, address the following in the statement:
Provide examples of relevant project or research experiences in terms of coursework, fieldwork, laboratory research, etc. For any previous research experience, discuss your role and the application of the work. - For ADVANCED PRACTICE track, address the following in the statement:
Provide examples of your role within your specialty field, successful collaborative efforts to achieve a common goal, any leadership experience, and/or service activities.
- For RESEARCH track, address the following in the statement:
- What is your motivation for pursuing an MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences? What are your career goals, and how is the program a strong fit for your career goals?
- What circumstances in your life have contributed to your development as an individual, a clinician, and/or a researcher? How will these experiences and any additional unique accomplishments influence your success? Is there any other information you wish to share?
- What is your preparation for the MS HRS program? Discuss your background, education, training, and/or work experience in the health and rehabilitation sciences field and/or related fields.
- MS Accountable Mentorship Form – to be completed by the faculty member who has agreed to take you on as their student. You may find Faculty Advisors by visiting our MS and PhD Faculty Advisor page
- Official transcripts
- Optional item upload. Examples include:
- Evidence of scientific writing (thesis, report, etc.)
- Case report
- Professional/teaching portfolio
- Capstone project
- Other
Graduate Non-Degree Option
Individuals who:
- Do not wish to apply to the program at this time, but would like to take graduate coursework within the program or Graduate School
- Are nearing the application deadline and feel they are not prepared to submit a competitive application yet, but would like to begin as soon as possible
- May not have met the minimum requirements but are interested in applying to the program may apply for admission as a graduate non-degree student. On verification of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, graduate non-degree students may register for graduate level courses with instructor permission.
Visit GP Admissions Non-Degree to access the application. If a graduate non-degree student later applies and is admitted to a graduate degree program, no more than 10 graduate credit hours accumulated as a non-degree student can be counted toward the graduate degree. The student would need to complete a Transfer of Graduate Credit Form to transfer those credits to the program.