MS in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Admission Requirements

Learn more about our admission requirements.

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 Deadlines

Summer Semester: February 1

Autumn Semester: April 1

Spring Semester: October 1

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:

  1. CV/Resume
  2. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation – academic or professional
  3. 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.
    • 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? 
  4. Accountable Mentorship Agreement 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
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Optional item upload. Examples include:
    1.  Evidence of scientific writing (thesis, report, etc.)
    2. Case report
    3. Professional/teaching portfolio
    4. Capstone project
    5. 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.