* Asterisk represents half (or 3 unit courses)

RS 705* / Evaluating Sources of Evidence
This course explores the value of evidence to rehabilitation practice, and how to assess and use evidence to make practice decisions that lead to best client outcomes.

RS 706* / Measurement in Practice
This course examines the theory of measurement, and the critical review, selection, interpretation and integration of outcome measures and assessment instruments in rehabilitation practice.

RS 708* / Reasoning and Decision-Making
Reasoning is the process by which rehabilitation practitioners consider alternatives and make decisions on a day to day basis. Guided by relevant conceptual frameworks, participants will practice strategies such as critical reflection, narratives, and assessment of the literature and other evidence to improve their reasoning and decision-making skills.

RS 730 / Scholarly Paper
This full course is designed as an opportunity for graduate course-based MSc students to demonstrate, in writing, their ability to integrate ideas that reflect current knowledge in areas of rehabilitation practice, education, research, and/or policy. The scholarly paper is to demonstrate integrative thinking at a general and abstract level. A student will identify a topic, and in consultation with a faculty member with expertise in the area develop a proposal that is individualized to the student's area of interest. The student will then develop the paper under the guidance of a faculty member. The paper must be 15 to 20 pages, excluding references and appendices. The paper does not involve the collection or analysis of primary data or the conduct of research with subjects. It is a scholarly essay, not a thesis.

Online short courses (not academic courses)

SGS 101# / Research Ethics Course (online short course)
The Research Ethics Course must be taken in the first year of studies and students will not be allowed to register for the forthcoming session until the student has passed the course which is offered online through Avenue to Learn.

SGS 201# / AODA Training Course (online short course)
The AODA Training Course must be taken in the first year of studies and students will not be allowed to register until the student has registered on SOLAR and taken the course which is offered on line through http://www.mcmaster.ca/accessibility/.

Elective Courses:

RS 710* / Facilitating Learning in Rehabilitation Contexts
This course includes approaches to creating positive and innovative learning experiences for clients, families, peers and students in rehabilitation. It incorporates principles of adult learning, learning theory, learning styles, teaching strategies and materials, and evaluation methods.

RS 704* / Independent Study in Rehabilitation Science
This course is designed to allow students to tailor their learning by selecting topics in Rehabilitation Science and to do advanced work in this area.  The topic must not be covered in-depth in any other Rehabilitation Science course.  Under the guidance of a faculty member the student will critically examine the pertinent literature. The course may be taken only once during the student's graduate studies.

RS 711* / Musculoskeletal Health Assessment and Diagnostics for Advanced Practice Therapists
This course will introduce students to measurement properties of diagnostic evaluations using examples related to musculoskeletal disorders or diseases. In addition to an introduction to the basic concepts of radiology and laboratory testing, students will learn and practice performing a comprehensive musculoskeletal health assessment that includes biomechanical, physical and functional assessments of patients with musculoskeletal disorders or disease particularly lower extremity osteoarthritis. Expert faculty from several disciplines will facilitate all sessions.  This course is designed to be delivered in 6 modules, over a 13 week period.  This course will include 3 face-to-face sessions that will take place over 1.5-2 days at the beginning, middle and end of the course.  The remaining sessions will be online using both synchronous and asynchronous formats. 

RS 712* / Therapeutics for Advanced Practice Musculoskeletal Care
This course will focus on the management of clients with musculoskeletal disorders. Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of pharmacology, surgical approaches, advanced counseling and the ability to critically appraise and integrate clinical practice guidelines for the conservative management of clients with musculoskeletal disease, particularly osteoarthritis of the lower extremity. Expert faculty from several disciplines will facilitate all sessions.  This course is designed to be delivered online in 4 modules, over a 13 week period.  This course will include 2 face-to-face sessions that will take place over 1.5-2 days at the beginning and again towards the end of the course.  The remaining sessions will be online using both synchronous and asynchronous formats. 

RS 770* / Leadership in Rehabilitation
This course explores principles, practices, trends and issues of leadership in rehabilitation settings. Current theories of leadership with attention to styles, practices, tasks and models will be covered. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on and analyze their own leadership experiences in light of theories studied. Through the interplay of theory and practical application, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the requirements, responsibilities, and consequences of effective leadership. The course encourages professional and personal development through action learning that is relevant and transferable to organizations.

RS 771* / Work Organization and Health
This problem-based course addresses the political, economic, health system and workplace factors that contribute to workplace environments and the health of workers.

RS773* /  Knowledge Translation in Rehabilitation Practice
The course emphasizes understanding  what knowledge translation is, the relationship between knowledge translation and evidence-based practice, the dominant theories, models and frameworks that are used in knowledge translation, how knowledge synthesis is achieved, and various tools and resources useful for knowledge translation in rehabilitation practice.

Other elective courses that may be of interest to MSc Course-based option students are the following:

MSc Thesis Program Courses

RS 700* / The Development, Evaluation and Utilization of Theories in Rehabilitation
RS 701* / Analysis and Rehabilitation of Functional Movement
RS 702* / Participation and Community Living 
RS 703* / Selected Topics in Rehabilitation Science
RS 707* / Research Methods in Rehabilitation Science