History of the School

The School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences traces its origin to 1941 with the initial offering of allied health sciences degrees through the Indiana University School of Medicine.

In 1959 by action of the Trustees of Indiana University the Division of Allied Health Sciences was formed, and in 1960 the Trustees conferred upon the faculty of the School of Medicine the responsibility and authority to qualify for the Bachelor of Science degree those students who successfully completed the prescribed curriculum in four allied health programs.

Since that time, additional baccalaureate programs and new programs at the associate and graduate levels have been approved and initiated. In 1967, the Division of Allied Health Sciences was one of 13 similar units from across the country to participate in the planning and formation of the national professional society -- The Association of Schools of Allied Health Sciences.

At the April 1991 meeting of the Trustees of Indiana University, the Division of Allied Health Sciences was granted school status. The School of Allied Health Sciences encompassed allied health programming on five of the eight campuses of Indiana University and incorporated 21 distinct allied health academic degree programs.

In 2002 the School of Allied Health Sciences was restructured to better align campus resources in support of the allied health sciences degrees.

The resulting School of Allied Health Sciences focused solely on delivering graduate degrees in selected health and rehabilitation science disciplines. The undergraduate allied health sciences degrees migrated to other academic units on the IUPUI campus.

To better reflect the more focused academic mission of the school, and based on faculty recommendation, in June 2003 the Trustees of Indiana University approved a name change to the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences. Four departments comprise the school: Health Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. During its over 40-year history the school has provided leadership in education, research, and civic engagement pertaining to health for the citizens of Indiana, the region and the nation.

The Indianapolis campus of Indiana University is accredited by the Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The most recent re-accreditation site visit occurred in 2002. The institution was granted full 10 year accreditation with no requirements for follow-up. The next review is scheduled for 2012.