5 - ADVISEMENT

Each student has a DSc academic advisor who is a member of the graduate faculty in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and whose area(s) of specialization is compatible with the student’s area of specialization. Academic advisors are mutually selected by the student and the advisor during the first year of the program, however, advisors can be changed anytime during the student’s time in the program with the mutual agreement of the student and the advisor and the approval of the Director of the Program.  Academic advisors work closely with students to develop students’ plans of study, advise students throughout course enrollment, and plan and complete both student leadership practicum and doctoral thesis.

Each student also has a doctoral thesis committee, consisting of the student's advisor (committee chair) and at least two other faculty members, at least one of whom must be from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, as recommended by the student and approved by the student's advisor. One of the additional committee members may have a primary faculty appointment in a department other than the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.  Doctoral thesis committee members approve the doctoral thesis prospectus and evaluate the completed product.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for students with disabilities. Consistent with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, The University of Oklahoma ensures that no “qualified individual with a disability” will be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination solely on the basis of disability under any program or activity offered by The University of Oklahoma.      

Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting the Disability Resource Center (DRC) by email, drc@ou.edu, or by calling (405) 325-3852 Voice or (405) 325-4173 TDD. Students requesting disability-related services or accommodations are required to submit appropriate documentation to substantiate the disability. DRC staff will review the documentation and send an e-mail to the student's university e-mail account that explains the eligibility determination. Students can expect to receive an initial response within fifteen (15) University business days of the Center's receipt of the documentation. Students with disabilities will then schedule an appointment for an initial intake procedure with the Disability Resource Center staff.  During this appointment, DRC staff and the student will engage in an interactive process and discuss any history of accommodation, strengths and limitations, and review policies/procedures.

Information on policies and registration with Disability Resource Center may be found on the DRC Website.