Aarhus University launches new Master’s degree specialisation in rehabilitation

Rehabilitation plays an increasing role in Danish legislation, for example in the Danish Act on Social Services and the Danish Health Act. This fact requires greater collaboration between a range of professionals and increases the need for research in the area. For this reason, Aarhus University is now establishing a rehabilitation track as part of the already existing healthcare Master’s degree programme.

"The field of rehabilitation in Denmark has developed a great deal during the past 5-10 years. We see a need for practitioners who are strong on methodology and who can work systematically and in an evidence-based manner with new initiatives in the healthcare system," says Thomas Maribo, clinical associate professor at Aarhus University. He will have responsibility for the new rehabilitation track.

The degree programme will equip the students to perform developmental and research activities within rehabilitation in both the private and public sector, as well as being able to undertake teaching.

Need for more research

The health science Master’s degree programme focuses on working in a multidisciplinary manner on the basis of issues that are familiar from clinical practice, and also on training the students in scientific research methods.

"Research in the field of rehabilitation is inadequate in a Danish context. Local Government Denmark (LGDK) and the municipalities wish to see increased focus on research into community-based health services such as rehabilitation to ensure the best possible efforts are made for their citizens. With a rehabilitation track we educate graduates who are tailor-made for research and development in a municipal context," adds Thomas Maribo.

The current degree programme continues 

The current health science Master’s degree programme, which has been offered by Aarhus University for 17 years, will continue, but can now be tailored in two different directions in the form of tracks. In addition to the rehabilitation track, the university also offers a prioritisation track, which focuses on prioritising in the healthcare sector. Here the students are equipped so they can prepare decision-making proposals for decision-makers in the healthcare sector in cases where factors such as effect, patients, organisation and finances are analysed. The majority of the Master's degree programme is common to both tracks.

Nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other students with professional healthcare Bachelor's degrees have access to both tracks of the degree programme. Further information about the degree programme and its admission requirements, content and job opportunities can in found at Aarhus University’s study guide (in Danish only).

About the degree programme

• The health science Master’s degree programme can now be tailored in two different directions in the form of tracks.
• The new track is named "The rehabilitation track – complex interventions and cross-sectoral cooperation".
• The other line is named "The prioritisation track – assessment of initiatives in the healthcare system". The contents of this track are similar to the current healthcare Master’s degree programme.
• The majority of the Master's degree programme is shared by both tracks.
• The degree programme takes two years and teaching takes place at Aarhus University.
• Each track admits approx. 25 students a year.
• Both tracks in the healthcare Master’s degree programme have application deadlines on 1 April 2015 and must be applied for individually.
• The course will begin in September 2015.

Further information

Degree programme director for the healthcare Master’s degree programme Christina Catherine Dahm
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health
Direct tel.: +45 8716 7969
Email: ccd@ph.au.dk