Physical Therapy

Department of Human Movement Science
433 Meadow Brook  (map)
(248) 370-4041 • Fax (248) 364-8660
www.oakland.edu/shs/pt

Director:
Sara Arena, Professor
arena@oakland.edu

Program Description

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a professional graduate program which prepares individuals for licensure and entry into the physical therapy profession. As a graduate program, it includes theoretical, clinical practice, and research courses and experiences to prepare graduates to function in a variety of settings in physical therapy.

Physical therapy is concerned with the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic conditions that cause disorders of movement. In order to provide appropriate treatment, physical therapists evaluate the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and associated systems, calling on the basic sciences and behavioral sciences in the interpretation of this evaluation. Patient programs are then developed to resolve movement dysfunctions. Physical therapists work in concert with all members of the health care team through a variety of referral relationships.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy at Oakland University is designed to prepare clinicians with the evaluation and examination skills necessary to make physical therapy differential diagnoses of movement related impairments affecting the neuromusculoskeletal system. In addition, this degree will prepare graduates to provide effective care in the areas of prevention, screening, rehabilitation and community reintegration for their clients. Finally, graduates will be able to interpret and conduct research related to physical therapy.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapy Program at Oakland University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; Telephone: 703-706-3245; Email: accreditation@apta.org; Web site: http://www.capteonline.org. The program is accredited through 2031.

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Oakland University uses an admissions process with two decision points, beginning with an early assurance option for qualified applicants. 

Early Assurance Option: If an applicant submits a fully completed application to the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (PTCAS) by August 15th (unless that day falls on a weekend or federal holiday, in which case it is the following business day), and meets the following criteria, they will receive an early assurance decision response by mid to late September. This is a non-binding decision.

• Overall GPA:  at least 3.5

•  S/M GPA:  at least 3.4

•  Verbal GRE:  148 or greater

•  Quantitative GRE:  148 or greater

• Check Early Assurance Review box

Regular Admissions Option: All applications must be completed and electronically submitted to PTCAS by October 15 (or the next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday) for admission in the following fall semester. Verified applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants who meet program eligibility requirements will receive an admissions decision no later than December 31st.

Late applications will not be reviewed.  The DPT program accepts approximately 36 students each year and the program begins in the fall. 

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements by the published application deadlines:

Graduate Application Requirements

• A completed application must be submitted through the PTCAS. Information and instructions for applying through the PTCAS can be found at the PTCAS website. Applicants do not submit an Oakland University Graduate Application.

• Arrange for PTCAS to receive an official transcript from each college and university you have attended in the United States and Canada. Applicants who are admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must also submit official transcripts to Oakland University Graduate Admissions upon enrollment. Official transcripts must provide evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.

• Complete two reference letters and submit through the PTCAS website. This satisfies the university requirement for recommendation forms.

• Applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and arrange for their official GRE scores to be submitted to PTCAS by the application deadline.  It is recommended that official GRE scores be submitted by the end of July for an early assurance decision or the end of September for regular decision. The PTCAS OU GRE code is 0650. Further information can be found at the PTCAS website.

• Applicants must satisfy the essay requirements through the PTCAS website. 

• Applicants must review and confirm their understanding of the Essential Functions for Physical Therapy which can be found on the the OU PTCAS application or the DPT website. 

• It is recommended that applicants observe physical therapists in several different settings and document the observations on the PTCAS application. There is no minimum number of required observation hours, and documentation of hours by a physical therapist is not required. Further information can be found at the PTCAS website.

• International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. Oakland University will only accept transcript evaluations completed by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation service) member organization. Many applicants use World Educational Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).  NACES membership can be confirmed by visiting www.naces.org/members.htm. Graduate programs requiring more detailed information may require an applicant to submit a course-by-course (or detailed) evaluation report rather than the general evaluation report. Official foreign transcripts will not be required by Oakland University since official transcripts must be submitted to and verified by the evaluation service. However, applicants must submit photocopies of their foreign transcripts with their application materials.

• International applicants must submit proof of English language proficiency to PTCAS and Oakland University.

• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted to Oakland University before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

• A minimum grade of a C or greater is required for fulfillment of all prerequisite courses. Applicants must have achieved a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, an overall science and math GPA of a 2.7, and an overall prerequisite GPA of a 3.0. Please see the PTCAS Program page for additional information. Transcripts will be reviewed to verify the grades.

Applicants who qualify for admission with limited standing must satisfy the requirements by the deadlines specified in their graduate admission letter to be advanced to full admission.

Admission Review and Assessment

Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses, and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Academic Advising

Students who are considering applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program may contact the DPT Admissions Coordinator at dptadmissions@oakland.edu to review prerequisite courses and application requirements. Upon acceptance to the program, students are assigned a faculty adviser.

Program Prerequisites

Applicants will be considered for admission, if they will be completing their baccalaureate degree and all prerequisite courses with a minimum of a C (2.0) grade prior to the start of the program. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to enrolling in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Advanced placement courses, in the subjects below, that have been accepted for credit at a university may meet the prerequisite requirements. Prerequisite courses should be completed within 10 years of applying; courses older than 10 years are reviewed case-by-case basis.

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 112 credits in an approved program of study.

Course Requirements

Core requirements (112 credits)

A minimum of 112 credits are required for the degree, consisting of the following courses:

• course Professional Issues I (2 credits)

• course Functional Anatomy (3 credits)

• course Clinical Medicine (4 credits)

• course Gross Human Anatomy for PT (3 credits)

• course Movement Science I (Biomechanics) (3 credits)

• course Clinical Examination and Evaluation I (4 credits)

• course Patient Management (3 credits)

• course Neuroanatomy for PT (3 credits)

• course  Foundations of Evidence-Informed Clinical Practice (4 credits)

• course Pharmacology for Physical Therapy (2 credits)

• course Full-time Clinical Education Experience (3 credits)

• course Lifespan Development (3 credits)

• course Psychosocial Aspects of Patient Management (3 credits)

• course Clinical Neurological Exam and Evaluation (4 credits)

• course Educational Interventions PT (2 credits)

• course Neuromuscular Interventions I (3 credits)

• course Modalities and Electrotherapeutic Interventions (3 credits)

• course Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise Interventions (3 credits)

• course Clinical Examination and Evaluation II (3 credits)

• course Advanced Therapeutic Exercise Interventions (3 credits)

• course Cardiopulmonary Examination and Interventions (3 credits)`

• course Prosthetics and Orthotics (2 credits)

• course Foundations of Musculoskeletal Diagnosis and Interventions (3 credits)

• course Intermediate full-time Clinical Education Experience (4 credits)

• course Full-time Clinical Education Experience III (2 credits)

• course Imaging for Physical Therapists (1 credit)

• course Pediatric Examination and Interventions (4 credits)

• course Lifespan Development II (3 credits)

• course Administration and Practice Management in PT (3 credits)

• course Professional Issues II (3 credits)

• course Health Promotion and Wellness in Physical Therapy (4 credits)

• course Neuromuscular Interventions II (3 credits)

• course Differential Diagnosis: Screening for Referral (4 credits)

• course PT approaches to Med-Surg (3 credits)

• course Arthrology (1 credit)

• course Advanced Musculoskeletal Diagnosis and Interventions (3 credits)

• course Capstone Examination in Physical Therapy (1 credit)

• course DPT Research Practicum (3 credits)

• course Terminal Full-time Clinical Education Experience 4

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor SAP for all financial aid recipients each semester. Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state, and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.

Good Academic Standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good Academic Standing  throughout the entire course of their graduate program.

Student Conduct

Academic Conduct

Students are expected to adhere to the procedures for Academic Conduct described in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. The physical therapy program will follow the procedures described in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. Students found guilty of academic misconduct by the university will be subject to university sanctions and to sanctions from the program by the Physical Therapy Promotion and Honors Committee including probation, suspension, or dismissal.

Professional Conduct

Students are expected to adhere to the Guide for Professional Conduct published by the American Physical Therapy Association and to display the generic abilities/professional behaviors described in the Physical Therapy Student Handbook. Violations will be reviewed by the Physical Therapy Promotion and Honors Committee and could result in probation, suspension or dismissal from the program.

Ethical Conduct

Ethical conduct is critical to a profession. Students are required to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Physical Therapists published by the American Physical Therapy Association. Violations will be reviewed by the Physical Therapy Promotion and Honors Committee and could result in probation, suspension, or dismissal from the program.

Essential Functions Guidelines

The essential functions consist of minimum physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for students to successfully complete the physical therapy program and to practice safely once students graduate. Students must meet the essential functions guidelines for admission, retention, and graduation from the program. Essential functions guidelines can be found in the Supplemental Program Form, the Physical Therapy Student Handbook, or on the Physical Therapy Program Web site. Students who do not meet the guidelines will be reviewed by the Physical Therapy Promotion and Honors Committee and are subject to probation, suspension or dismissal.

Students who have questions or need more information regarding accommodations to meet the essential functions may contact the Oakland University Disability Support Services office at (248) 370-3266 (voice) or (248) 370-3268 (TDD).

Expectations for Safe Practice

Students must safely and effectively pass all practical examinations that have been required as part of their pre-clinical courses prior to going on their full-time clinical education experiences or clinical internships. Students who have not successfully completed a required practical examination will not have successfully completed the course and will not be allowed to go on their full-time clinical education experiences until they have successfully completed the practical examination and course.

Knowledge, skills, and professional behavior are required for safe and effective practice in the clinical setting. Practical examinations test the student’s ability to practice safely, ability to perform psychomotor skills, and ability to demonstrate professional behavior. Based on the type of examination, critical thinking, decision making, time management, and organizational skills may also be tested. The Physical Therapy Student Handbook describes the practical examination policy.

Related Program Information

Plan of Study

All accepted applicants have a program-generated plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree program requirements. The program provides the plan of study to Oakland University Graduate School. Students admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are required to attend a full-time program of prescribed course work unless a reduced load is requested and approved by the program director.

Policies and Procedures

Once admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, students should consult the Physical Therapy Student Handbook and the Clinical Education Manual for detailed information on policies and procedures.

Clinical Education and Internship Requirements

Physical therapy students are placed in a variety of clinical settings during the professional program. Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical experiences and internships, as well as associated housing costs. Admission to and progression through the physical therapy program is contingent upon meeting and maintaining all clinical education requirements. Requirements include:

• Submission of a completed PT Program health assessment form, including inoculation for tetanus, skin testing or chest X-ray for tuberculosis; proof of immunity to rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella, and Hepatitis B (or formal refusal of Hepatitis B vaccination) within four months prior to orientation.

• Proof of First Aid certificate: American Red Cross First Aid certificate, equivalent first aid certificate, or college credit course in First Aid.

• Proof of current CPR certification: American Heart Association certificate: Basic Life Support Healthcare Providers only.  

• Proof of current health insurance for illness and injury.

• Criminal background checks, drug screens and Sex Offender Registry checks are to be submitted yearly.

• Proof of annual flu immunization.

• Urine drug screens and/or additional requirements may be mandatory by some clinical facilities.

• Requirements are subject to change based on current physical therapy clinical practice. Students are responsible for any costs associated with the requirements described above. Clinical sites are not required to provide free treatment for students and will bill students for use of their emergency or employee health services.

Students accepted to the physical therapy program must submit proof of all the above requirements by the deadline outlined during orientation. All requirements remain in effect throughout the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Students who have not provided or maintained the necessary documentation may not be admitted to the program or once admitted may not be allowed to enroll in academic or clinical courses. 

Continuous Enrollment

The continuous enrollment policy for doctoral students requires continuous registration of graduate students for at least 1 credit each semester in the academic year to maintain an active graduate student status. This includes semesters in which the comprehensive, preliminary or qualifying examination is taken, defense, and each subsequent term (fall and winter) until the degree requirements are met and the dissertation is submitted to Oakland University Graduate School.

Some agency and graduate assistantship eligibility may have course-load requirements that exceed the minimum registration requirements of the Continuous Enrollment Policy (e.g., Veterans Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization for international students, and federal financial aid programs). Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to register for the appropriate number of credits that are required for funding eligibility and/or compliance as outlined by specific agency regulations under which they are governed.

Time Limit

If more than seven years have passed since the student has been admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program and all requirements for degree have not been completed, the student must petition the program director and Oakland University Graduate School for an extension. Students who are deemed inactive may be dropped from the program, although they may petition for reinstatement.