Rehabilitative Health Sciences

Online Bachelor of Science Degree

ETSU Online

  • A man talks to another person at a table event in the DP Culp Student Cave.
  • A student stands in front of a poster presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Dr. Dunkley and a student attend an Open House event.

Impact Your Community

The Rehabilitative Health Sciences (RHSC-BS) degree focuses on human function, disability, and rehabilitation. The coursework integrates health sciences, social sciences, psychology, and related fields, preparing students for diverse career paths in rehabilitative care.

Flexible course options allow students to explore key values in evidence-based practices, person-centered care, critical thinking, and collaboration across various settings and cultures. RHSC students will take courses in assistive technology, rehabilitation policy, sensory/motor function, cultural aspects of disability, and more.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.


Practical Application for Career Opportunities

Earning a RHSC degree prepares students for a career in rehabilitation which is a rewarding and growing field. Leave with specialized knowledge and skills that could open doors to many different roles that make a meaningful impact in patient and client care. The culture and atmosphere at ETSU's Rehabilitative Sciences program offers a human-centric approach to learning, with quality resources and an emphasis on community engagement. Coursework is carefully designed to align with the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Students will gain skills that emphasize patient/client-centered care and strengthen interprofessional collaborative practice.

An RHSC degree will prepare students to embark on careers in the rehabilitative professions. With a BS in Rehabilitative Sciences, students have the opportunity to work in a wide variety of settings including, hospitals, outpatient/in patient settings, private practice, rehabilitation centers, federal and state agencies, sports and fitness facilities. 

Completion of this degree comes with many career options including:

  • 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 assistive technology

This degree requires a minor. Choose from more than 15 online minors to complement the Rehabilitative Health Sciences degree. 

Note: This degree could prepare students for application to graduate-level programs in health-related fields including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, Rehabilitation Counseling, and more. Some required courses needed for admission into pre-professional programs (such as Physician's Assistant, Occupational Therapy, etc.) are not offered online. For students wanting to pursue one of the above specialized fields or for information about the in-person RHSC degree, please visit the Rehabilitative Health Sciences webpage. Students interested in a pre-professional program are encouraged to discuss this with a program advisor prior to enrollment.

Study Rehabilitative Health Sciences in a Flexible, Online Format

This program prepares students for a career in rehabilitation which is a rewarding and growing field. It allows students the ability to select a career path that makes a difference. The culture and atmosphere at ETSU and the rehabilitative Sciences program boast a human centric approach to learning, state of the arts laboratories, quality resources and an emphasis on community engagement. ~ Dr. Lisa Dunkley, Associate Professor & Program Director

Steps to Apply 

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Undergraduate," select your student type, select your start term, then choose  Rehabilitative Health Sciences and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

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Cost

TN Residents *GA, KY, NC, SC, VA *Other USA States  **eRate All International
$487 per credit hour $517 per credit hour $627 per credit hour $558 per credit hour $1,265 per credit hour

The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

- Tuition discounts are available for border county students.
- Additional fees may be required.
- The **eRate applies to students living out of state and taking all web-based courses.
- Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. Students may also use theTuition and Fees estimator.
- The information presented in the Tuition and Fees estimator is only an estimate; it is not an actual statement of costs
- *First-Time Freshman and Transfer Students only. Currently enrolled students should visit the tuition and fees charts if considering a major change.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What accreditations apply to this program?

    East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. East Tennessee State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of East Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website  (www.sacscoc.org).

  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous? 

    Both. The program offers asynchronous and synchronous course options. Synchronous courses are offered via Zoom. 

  • Does this program require fieldwork? 

    There are fieldwork opportunities, but fieldwork is not mandatory. Students can choose to engage in the fieldwork option (200 clock hours) to satisfy the requirements of the capstone course. This can be completed at any rehabilitation placement site and can be completed in and out of state.  

    Student can choose between the fieldwork, research, and a portfolio to satisfy the capstone project requirement. 

  • What is the time to completion?

    Full-time: 4 years

    Part-time: This varies based on the needs of the student.

    Students may view the course of study in the academic catalog.

  • When can I start?

    Students may begin in the Fall or Spring semesters.

  • Are scholarships available?

    Scholarship opportunities can be found on the College’s website. Additionally, ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships.