2024
Annual
Report

Reporting period June 2023 to June 2024

DHD building in the foreground and view of Chicago skyline in the background

Our mission

The UIC College of Applied Health Sciences is a socially conscious, research-intensive academic community whose mission is to broaden understanding of applied health sciences and disability.

Our vision

The UIC College of Applied Health Sciences will be recognized as a national and international leader in health sciences through our excellence in preparing highly qualified professionals, leading scholars and community leaders.

Our scholarly, academic efforts and community engagement will transform society through improved health, inclusion and participation without discrimination in a complex interdisciplinary and multicultural world.

UI Health

A part of UIC, UI Health is a clinical enterprise that consists of a 438-bed tertiary care hospital, 21 outpatient clinics, 11 federally qualified Mile Square Health Center locations, a new Specialty Care Building and seven UIC health colleges, including the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences.

We’re proud to contribute to the clinical, research and academic activities that train health care leaders and foster healthy communities in Illinois and beyond.

Academics

Degrees offered

Bachelor's

Disability and Human Development
Health Information Management (online and on campus)
Kinesiology
Nutrition
Rehabilitation Sciences

Minor

Disability and Human Development
Food Science
Kinesiology
Life Science Visualization
Nutrition

Master's

Biomedical Visualization
Disability and Human Development
Health Informatics (online)
Health Information Management (online)
Healthspan Promotion and Rehabilitation
Kinesiology
Nutrition
Occupational Therapy

Students

1,939 total enrolled students

1,075 undergraduate students

589 graduate students

275 professional students

AHS undeclared

203 students

Biomedical and Health
Information Sciences

412 students

55	BS: Health Information Management
40	BS: Health Information Management (online)
47	MS: Biomedical Visualization
217	MS: Health Informatics
22	MS: Health Information Management
9	PhD: Biomedical and Health Informatics
1	CERT: Health Data Science Informatics
10	CERT: Health Informatics
2	CERT: Health Informatics Fundamentals
9	Non-degree

Disability and
Human Development

186 students

68	BS: Disability and Human Development
15	MS: Disability and Human Development
43	PhD: Disability Studies
47	CERT: Assistive Technology
12	CERT: Co-Operative Career Experience
1	CERT: Disability Ethics

Kinesiology and Nutrition

727 students

457	BS: Kinesiology
136	BS: Nutrition
33	MS: Kinesiology
72	MS: Nutrition

Occupational Therapy

98 students

8	MS: Occupational Therapy
80	E-OTD: Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
9	P-OTD: Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy
1	Non-degree

Physical Therapy

188 students

182	DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy
1	MS: Healthspan Promo & Rehab
4	DCEP: Clinical Exercise Physiology
1	Non-degree: PT Residency

Rehabilitation Sciences

125 Students

104	BS: Rehabilitation Sciences
21	PhD: Rehabilitation Sciences

Degrees awarded

287 undergraduate degrees

232 graduate degrees

24 research doctoral degrees

71 professional doctoral degrees

a group of smiling faculty in their graduation regalia

A group of smiling students in their graduation regalia

Enrolled students
by race and ethnicity

Academic Support & Achievement Program

Helping AHS undergraduate students achieve academic and personal success.

ASAP provides academic, social and career support to students via a holistic approach.

ASAP offers books and models related to AHS classes, resources for national certification exams, grad school prep tools and professional development resources.

A graph showing that there is 32% white, 27% hispanic, 21% asian, 9% black, 4% international, 3% multi-race, 1% other students

A group of students smiling at the camera

Biomedical and Health Information Sciences

A laptop with a stethoscope laying on the keyboard

The mission of the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences is to advance the quality and efficiency of healthcare through improved generation, management and communication of biomedical and other healthcare data.

The goals of the department are leadership, innovation, initiative and quality, with a strong focus on the unique arena of health and imaging informatics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Academic programs

Minor, Life Science Visualization
BS, Health Information Management (online and on-campus)
MS, Biomedical Visualization
MS, Health Informatics (online)
MS, Health Information Management (online)
PhD, Biomedical and Health Informatics
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Health Data Science Informatics (online)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Health Informatics Fundamentals (online)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Leadership in Health Informatics (online)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Mobile Health Informatics (online)
Post-Master’s Certificate, Health Informatics (online)

Our PhD in biomedical and health informatics is the first degree program of its kind in Illinois

U.S. News and World Report ranks our online BS in health information management No. 3 among all online bachelor’s degree programs

of MS in health information management graduates passed the AHIMA RHIA exam

Healthcare Administration Degree Programs ranks our online
MS in health informatics No. 3 among all health informatics
degree programs

Our MS in biomedical visualization is one of five accredited programs in North America and currently the largest

Disability and Human Development

A group of people marching with a banner

The Department of Disability and Human Development is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of disability with the goal of removing barriers to the advancement of disabled persons.

We offer intensive graduate-level academic programs that prepare individuals for positions in research, teaching and public service in disability fields.

The Department of Disability and Human Development conducts scholarship and community-based service across the spectrum of disability, including advocacy, culture, education, health promotion, history, policy and technology.

Academic programs

Minor, Disability and Human Development
BS, Disability and Human Development
MS, Disability and Human Development
PhD, Disability Studies
Certificate, Assistive Technology
Certificate, Co-Operative Career Experience
Certificate, Disability Ethics
Certificate, Disability Legal Studies

National leader in research and training on disabilities, with three large federally funded centers and institutes: Great Lakes ADA Center; Institute on Disability and Human Development; University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Home to the Illinois Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Program

College Factual ranks our department as the No. 1 disability studies school in the U.S.

grants and contracts awarded to DHD researchers and scholars

Home to Bodies of Work, a network of artists and organizations that illuminate the disability experience in new and unexpected ways.

Our PhD in disability studies is the first interdisciplinary studies doctoral program of its kind in the U.S.

Kinesiology and Nutrition

The mission of the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition is to:

generate and advance knowledge in kinesiology and nutrition through research
afford translation of knowledge by providing scholarship-based community service
offer academic programs of the highest quality that educate students to serve as innovative practitioners
prepare students to be lifelong learners and to serve
as scholars and leaders

Academic programs

Minor, Food Science
Minor, Kinesiology
Minor, Nutrition
BS, Kinesiology
BS, Nutrition
MS, Kinesiology
MS, Nutrition
PhD, Kinesiology and Nutrition

Our award-winning Nutrition Teaching Garden provides students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities

The National Academy of Kinesiology ranks our PhD in kinesiology and nutrition
No. 13 in the U.S.

Our MS in nutrition boasts a 100% graduation rate

Over $50 million in funding awarded to kinesiology and nutrition researchers

of BS in nutrition graduates pass the ACEND Registered Dietitian Nutritionist licensing exam

Occupational Therapy

The mission of the Department of Occupational Therapy is to achieve excellence and lead the
field in education, scholarship and practice.

We conduct this mission with the conviction that education, research and practice are equally valuable, interdependent and mutually enhancing.

We carry out this mission in the context of an urban research university that embraces diversity and partnership with its community, in diverse settings.

Academic programs

MS, Occupational Therapy
Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Home to the OT Faculty Practice, providing occupation-focused, evidence-based and client-centered occupational therapy services

Our Scholarship of Practice model is nationally and internationally recognized for its contributions to community-engaged scholarship

Our Entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program is ranked No. 3 in the U.S. by U.S. News and World Report

Our Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy boasts a 100% graduation rate

grants and contracts awarded to OT researchers and scholars

Physical Therapy

The mission of the Department of
Physical Therapy is to:

educate practitioners and scholars in the practice and science of PT and other health-related areas to meet current and future societal needs
advance and apply research and scholarship in rehabilitation sciences and other related fields
promote excellence in care and health outcomes,
and to improve quality of life in the populations
we serve
provide services that benefit individuals, communities,
the profession of PT and the broader healthcare arena
strategically partner with UI Health, UIC schools and departments, other clinical and academic institutions, and national and international collaborators.

Academic programs

MS, Healthspan Promotion and Rehabilitation
Doctor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Certificate, Clinical Rehabilitation and Technology Research
Certificate, Healthy Living Practitioner
Certificate, Technology-Based Health Communication and Promotion

Post-professional residency
Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Sports Physical Therapy

Home to Illinois’ first and only ABPTRFE-accredited sports physical therapy residency program

Home to the PT Faculty Practice, providing high-quality physical therapy, dietary and cardiac services.

Home to the first and only doctoral-level clinical exercise physiology program in the world

Our MS in Healthspan Promotion and Rehabilitation boasts a 100% graduation rate

historical publications published by its researchers and scholars

Home to the Brain Plasticity Lab, Cognitive Motor Balance Rehabilitation Lab and the EXERT Vascular Lab

Clinical and community services

AHS engages with the community through partnerships and direct service.

We’re committed to bringing quality care and support throughout the Chicago area. Engagement activities include health promotion in a diverse cultural environment, wellness and healthy living, and advocacy for people with disabilities.

Visit ahs.uic.edu/services to learn more.

a doctor signing papers in front of a patient

Physical Therapy Faculty Practice

Provides high-quality physical therapy, rehabilitation, dietary and cardiac services to adolescents, adults and the elderly.

Provided 8,625 visits to 1,514 unique individuals

Visit the practice

Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice

Offers occupation-focused, evidence-based and client-centered occupational therapy services to children, youth, adults and families.

189 visits by 33 unique children & families

Visit the practice

Developmental Disabilities Family Clinic

Takes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach in providing services that maximize potential with a focus on quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages and their families.

Provided 1,900 visits, 577 services and 54 trainings to 2,804 unique individuals

Visit the clinic

Assistive Technology Unit

Helps individuals with disabilities achieve maximized independence. Over 95% of all services take place in community-based settings.

Provided 1,577 services 811 unique individuals

Visit the ATU

Healthy Living Clinic

Uses evidence-based approaches to promote healthy living behaviors among adults at no cost.

Provided services to 203 unique individuals

Visit the clinic

Resilient Athlete Program

Launched in Nov. 2022, the program combines research-based treatment in sports psychology and sports injury to help injured athletes recover in mind and body at no cost.

173 visits by 42 unique individuals

Program info

Community partners

As a college rooted in the ethic of public service, democratic responsibility and active participation, we partner with community organizations, businesses and schools to go beyond the classroom. We've established relationships with organizations such as, Urban Initiatives, Illinois Self Advocacy Alliance, It Takes a Village, Chicago Public Schools, El Valor, Access Living, Envision Unlimited, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, Greater Food Depository, Altus Academy, Girls in the Game, and Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse.

POW! Gym Chicago

POW! Gym Chicago is woman- and Latine-owned small business that has operated in Chicago’s West Loop for over 20 years.

POW! and the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition have worked collaboratively for over 10 years to provide experiential learning opportunities for students, increase access to fitness activities for both youth and adults, and engage in service activities to promote healthy lifestyles in the surrounding Chicago communities.

They are a recipient of the 2023-24 AHS Community Partner Award.

ReVive Center for Housing and Healing

ReVive is a non-profit organization directed by Andrea LeFlore ‘15 MS OT, ‘19 P-OTD that “meets people experiencing homelessness where they are” and expertly connects them with food, housing, health care and community.

ReVive provides opportunities for AHS undergraduate, professional and graduate students by creating fieldwork and capstone experiences and supporting teaching excellence through guest lectures and community-engaged learning experiences.

They are a recipient of the 2023-24 AHS Community Partner Award.

Research and Scholarship

AHS is a consistent leader in research funding for allied health, with an expansive portfolio of projects conducted in laboratories, clinics and the community.

Studies by AHS investigators have national and international impact in discovering new knowledge, translating findings into practice, creating intellectual property and supporting the college’s educational mission.

Visit go.uic.edu/AHSResearch to learn more.

Metabolic Kitchen

AHS is home to the Metabolic Kitchen, a professional-quality facility staffed by professional chefs and registered dietitians that makes it possible for UIC investigators to conduct high-level research in diet and nutrition.

go.uic.edu/metabolickitchen

a person sitting at a computer in a clinic

AHS research labs and centers

AHS is home to over two dozen research labs and centers. Our broad based research portfolio ranges from laboratory-based research to community-based (engaged) research to scholarship in the humanities.

go.uic.edu/AHSLabsAndCenters