Physical Therapy (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

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2157 William S. White Building
(810) 762-3373
Fax: (810) 766-6668
http://www.umflint.edu/pt

Interim Co-Directors:  Edgar Torres, Lucinda Pfalzer
Business Administrator:  Reva Kidd
Administrative Assistants:  Jaime Bedford, Lorrie Jorgenson
Student Services Administrative Assistant: Christina Wixson
Secretary: Crystal Quaderer

Post-Professional Certificate Program Coordinators:  Geriatric, Jennifer Blackwood; Neurologic,  Min Huang;  Orthopedic, Jamie  Creps;  Pediatric,  Carol Daly 

Faculty: Professors  Donna Fry, Lucinda Pfalzer; Clinical Associate Professor Becky Rodda; Clinical Assistant Professor Edgar Torres; Assistant Professors Jamie Creps, Min Huang, Sheila Littleton, Thomas Ruediger; Instructors  Jennifer Blackwood, Carol Daly, Annemarie Kammann,  Leslie Lacy,  Laura LoVasco,  Amy Yorke
Professor Emeritus Richard E. Darnell; Associate Professor Emeritus Paulette Cebulski; Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus Cynthia Kincaid

Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals whose aim is to restore, maintain and promote optimal physical function, wellness and fitness in persons of all ages. This is accomplished through the evaluation and management of movement dysfunction, which may result from diseases, disorders, or injuries.

Physical therapists diagnose within the scope of physical therapy practice and manage movement dysfunction in four body systems:  the cardiopulmonary system, the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, and the integumentary (skin) system. Examples of interventions used for each of these systems are fitness conditioning, prevention of joint deformity, pain reduction and wound care. Interventions are selected to prevent the onset and progression of impairments and may include various forms of exercise, soft tissue management, heat, cold, electricity and ultrasound.

Physical therapists work closely with and frequently refer patients to other professionals in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, school systems, home health care, industrial clinics, and public health agencies. Physical therapists are also involved in administration, physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education, research and consultation. Clinical specialization is available through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties of the American Physical Therapy Association to the experienced clinician in eight practice areas, cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports, and woman’s health. Physical therapy is an integral part of the spectrum of health care. The profession is evolving to take on a more independent role in providing health care in a direct access market. Direct access allows the patient to enter the health care system directly through the services of the physical therapist without seeking the services of other health care practitioners first.

Department Mission and Assessment

The faculty and staff in the Physical Therapy Department at the University of Michigan-Flint are student-centered and committed to excellence in undergraduate, professional, post-professional teaching and learning, scholarship, practice and service. The Department’s graduates are highly qualified doctors of physical therapy who are engaged citizens and leaders in the physical therapy profession, in accordance with standards of the American Physical Therapy Association.

The Physical Therapy Department actively participates in annual assessment of its programs to facilitate excellence in education. Faculty make curriculum and program changes based on these assessments. Students admitted to the programs offered by the Department are expected to abide by the implemented curricular changes. The Department also participates in university-wide assessment efforts for the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Accreditation. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes, is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/SchoolofHealthProfessionsandStudies.htm.

Academic Regulations and Procedures

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory performance in their academic courses, clinical internships, and professional/ethical conduct. While enrolled in the professional DPT Program or t-DPT, the student is subject to the policies and procedures of the program regarding academic standards and professional conduct. Because the student is enrolled in the School of Health Professions and Studies (SHPS), the student is also subject also to the policies and procedures of SHPS. All regulations of the University of Michigan-Flint apply to students in the Physical Therapy Department of SHPS. Students should make note of these regulations, which appear in other sections of this Catalog. Specific rules and regulations adopted by the faculty of the Physical Therapy Department are presented in the sections that follow.

Grading System

Refer to the Graduate Study  section for the grading scale. The report of an I (incomplete) grade may be made by the instructor if the student is unable to meet the course requirements within the specified time due to extended illness or a family crisis. An I grade may be made up while a student is not enrolled and must be made up by the end of the second week of the next semester in which the student is enrolled. If, for sufficient reason, a student cannot remove the incomplete within the two-week period, an extension request form must be approved by both the course instructor and the Department Director and forwarded to the Office of the Registrar. Failure either to make up the grade within the allotted time or to have an extension approved will result in the I automatically being changed to a grade of E. A grade once reported (with the exception of I) may be changed only to correct a demonstrable error.

Credit without Grade (Pass/Fail)

The pass/fail option applies only to specific courses so designated in the course schedule by individual SHPS departments. Courses elected for credit without grade are not included in the calculation of the grade point average.

Changes in Course Elections (Drop/Add)

Changes in course elections include dropping and adding courses. It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the published deadlines for dropping and/or adding a course. Granting withdrawal from the Professional DPT or Post-Professional transitional-DPT Program (t-DPT) with or without intention to return is a prerogative of the Physical Therapy Department Faculty. 

Academic Standing

The faculty of the Department, acting on behalf of the University, has the responsibility of defining academic standards and reserves the right to remove from the DPT or t-DPT, or certificate program any student whose academic standing, in the judgment of the faculty, is regarded as unsatisfactory. To maintain satisfactory academic standing, a student must have a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of B (5.0) for all graduate courses taken for credit and applied toward the degree or certificate program. Academic records of all students are reviewed by the administrative staff of the Physical Therapy Department at the end of each semester according to the Academic Progression Policy and Procedure. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below a B (5.0) in a given semester are reviewed by the Director of the Department. And a written notice of academic probationary status is given to the student. The complete policy can be found in the Student Handbook for the professional DPT and t-DPT programs. 

Appeals Procedure

Students admitted to the professional DPT and t-DPT program agree to follow established policies and procedures which govern academic performance, clinical competency, and ethical standards of the profession (APTA Code of Ethics). Specific appeals procedures are outlined in the Student Handbook for the professional DPT and t-DPT programs. For issues or complaints involving a faculty member, the appeal procedure should be initiated after consultation with the faculty member whenever possible. For issues or complaints of a discriminatory or sexually harassing nature the student should consult with the University Human Resources or the Dean of the School of Health Professions and Studies. Formal complaints must be filed with the University Human Resources. 

Programs in Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy Department at the University of Michigan-Flint offers the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT)  and the Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (t-DPT)  with a Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy with Clinical Concentration Program (tc-DPT) option. A Post-Professional Transitional Clinical Certificate program and Credentialed APTA Residency  programs are offered in five areas of clinical specialization including cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. APTA approval for credentialed residency status is pending.

Desired Qualifications for all Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Applicants

Since the physical therapist works closely with patients who are ill or physically challenged and in cooperation with diverse populations, high standards of conduct, as well as academic achievement, are necessary for success. Selection is made on the basis of academic record, aptitude, and personal qualifications. The Physical Therapy Department is committed in both its admissions process and its educational program to provide reasonable accommodations to maximize opportunities for students with disabilities. Admission to all programs is highly competitive. The following attributes enhance an applicant’s degree of competitiveness:

•       Knowledge of the breadth of the physical therapist’s role in health care
•       Ability to work with diverse populations and within a team 
•       An academic record that displays consistent performance or improvement over time
•       Personal maturity reflected in the values of self-motivation, self-regulation, and accountability for
        actions
•       Effective written and verbal communication skills
•       Capacity and commitment to complete the post-professional program in the established time
        schedule, independent of personal obligations or responsibilities
•       Commitment to learning and adopting professional behaviors congruent with the ethical standards of
        the profession (APTA Code of Ethics) 
•       Willingness to abide by the policies and procedures of the Physical Therapy Department and the 
        School of Health Professions and Studies, and University of Michigan-Flint 

Professional Program in Physical Therapy
(Doctor of Physical Therapy)

The DPT degree is a professional degree for entry in the physical therapy profession, not a post-professional degree equivalent to a Ph.D. or other advanced academic degree. It is, comparable to other entry-level health care professional degrees, such as the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) or Doctor of Pharmacology (Pharm.D) that prepare graduates to be licensed practitioners within their respective scopes of practice defined in the public health code in state law. Graduates are prepared to assume roles consistent with various physical therapy practice patterns throughout the United States, and are required to be critical thinkers and lifelong learners. 

Physical therapy education is built on a solid foundation in the basic sciences of biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology. Study of humanities and behavioral sciences provides an important preparation for the interpersonal relationships that the physical therapist must successfully establish with patients and their family members, health care professionals, and community healthcare agencies.

The DPT program operates under a guiding philosophy that entry-level physical therapists should be competent to perform patient/client management of persons from infancy through elder years. This lifespan approach enables program graduates to value and respect diversity of gender, race, culture and disability, regardless of age. Graduates are self directed learners who are critical thinkers, recognizing the value of and using scientific method to research existing literature to make sound clinical judgments. Graduates understand the scope of physical therapy practice, recognizing when a patient needs medical management in substitution for or in addition to physical therapy.

The PT faculty mentor students into the profession using a collegial model which incorporates mutual respect and understanding between the faculty, staff and physical therapy students as they proceed through the program. The collegial model and small lab size encourage faculty and students to form close, effective working relationships that enhance student learning. The Physical Therapy Department faculty members have a consistent record of scholarly and service activity at the state, regional and national levels of the profession and therefore mentor students in leadership and service to the profession and community.

Accreditation

The Professional DPT Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. 

Admission to the DPT Program

Admission to the program is highly competitive, and students are admitted in the Fall semester only. Positions in the class are assigned to those candidates ranking highest among the group eligible for consideration. The number of available spaces in the class is currently 60, which may include part-time positions. Admission to the professional DPT Program is the prerogative of the faculty of the program. Applicants are reminded that the supplemental application and reference forms are data sources that provide both quantitative and qualitative data. The faculty interprets these sources in making the final admissions decisions. Up-to-date admissions requirements and application process information is available on the website at www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/physical_therapy_entry.htm.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements and qualifications by the time they are admitted:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Overall 3.0 GPA or higher in the undergraduate degree
• Overall 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses* from an accredited institution with an equivalent grade of ‘C’ or better in each course (‘C-’ for courses taken at UM-Flint):
  • 8 credits Biology with at least two labs (no Botany)
  • 8 credits Chemistry with at least two labs
  • 8 credits Physics with at least two labs
  • 4 credits Human Anatomy with lab
  • 4 credits Human Physiology with lab (if a 5-6 credit combination Anatomy and Physiology class is taken, then course content needs review)
  • 3 credits Exercise Physiology with lab
  • 3 credits Statistics
  • 3 credits College Algebra and Trigonometry or Pre-calculus
  • 6 credits Psychology (general and developmental)
  • 1 credit Medical Terminology (must be a letter-graded course)
• Overall 2.75 GPA in science prerequisites 
• Completion of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) general test (must be completed before application will be considered for admission) with a minimum test score of 400 Verbal and 450 Quantitative
• Current CPR (Adult, Child, and Infant) and First Aid Certification
• 60 or more hours observing Physical Therapists in two or more different types of clinical settings required; 125 or more hours in four or more settings recommended

*Prerequisite courses should be completed within 7 years of applying to the program; prerequisite courses taken more than 7 years prior will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

The most competitive applicants demonstrate knowledge of the depth and breadth of the profession as well as consistent academic performance, maturity and values associated with health care professions.

Competitive scores on the GRE are in the range of 450 Verbal and 500 Quantitative. 

Application Process

To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit a completed application though the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Instructions for completing the application may be found at the PTCAS website (http://www.ptcas.org) or at the Office of Graduate Programs Website (http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/physical_therapy_entry.htm).

International applicants must submit additional documentation. For further information please refer to the Graduate Study portion of the catalog.

Application Deadlines

Students are admitted for the Fall semester only. Application deadlines are posted on the admissions portal through the PTCAS website.

Costs

Students should be aware that they will be required to purchase clinical attire, evaluation tools to be used in the classroom or clinical practice, professional liability insurance, and professional textbooks. Clinical Education III, IV, V and VI (PTP 733 , PTP 734 , PTP 735 , and PTP 736  ) require many students to leave the Flint area, some to distant cities in other states. Students must provide their own transportation for travel to all clinical assignments. The student may be required to make his/her own arrangements for housing, as most facilities are not able to provide housing arrangements. A physical examination, immunizations, TB test and health insurance will be required of students at their own expense at appropriate points throughout the program. Part-time employment is discouraged during the professional part of the professional DPT program because of demands made by the nature and scheduling of the program. Current estimates of costs students can anticipate are available to applicants through the Physical Therapy Department. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. 

DPT Curriculum

The curriculum of the professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program provides students with multiple opportunities to enhance their learning. A variety of teaching formats are used, including but not limited to didactic teaching, hands-on laboratory experiences, recitation sessions, and student group projects and presentations. A modular course curriculum is used to ensure consistent organizational structure of the curriculum. Students are expected to adequately expose head, trunk and extremities in laboratory sessions with multiple student partners (male/female) in order to become familiar with surface anatomy and to develop handling skills necessary for the practice of physical therapy (religious and cultural standards regarding exposure of the body are honored when requested by students). Students are also responsible for the provision and appropriate utilization of laboratory attire and for conducting themselves in a professional manner. Faculty members of the Physical Therapy Department are responsible for review, revision and implementation of curriculum. Students admitted to the program are expected to abide by faculty decisions about revisions of curriculum.

Clinical education is an important aspect of the program. Initial exposure to clinical practice occurs in the Fall and Winter of Year 1 and the Spring/Summer semester of Year 2. The student is then placed into full-time clinical internships in the Fall of Year 3. Following the satisfactory completion of all didactic courses, students engage in three ten-week, full-time clinical internships. Students must attend an acute care setting, general outpatient setting, and area of interest for the three final full-time internships.  This full-time clinical experience provides students an opportunity to engage in supervised work and study in selected clinical facilities. Students may be assigned to hospitals or other institutions in Flint, other cities in Michigan, or other states. Approximately 150 facilities/agencies at nearly 400 different sites participate in the clinical education program. Students are responsible for arranging transportation and housing for these clinical education experiences. Projected costs for physical therapy students are available from the Physical Therapy Department. 

Part-Time Professional DPT Program

The University of Michigan-Flint offers a part-time course of study that, when completed, awards the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , the professional degree for professional practice. The part-time program is specifically designed to accommodate those students who are unable to or otherwise choose not to attend the University on a full-time basis. Students are admitted in the fall semester only. Positions in classes are assigned to those candidates ranking highest among the group eligible for consideration. The number of available part-time spaces in each class is limited. The sequence of courses in the part-time program is predetermined. Since courses are scheduled according to many constraints in the overall program sequence, students in the part-time track may not elect and schedule courses to meet their own personal, employment or other needs. The part-time program involves a reduced credit load per semester, but not necessarily a limited number of days per week on campus. 

Students accepted to the part-time program:

• Remain in part-time status (as defined by the University) for at least two years
• Follow a predetermined part-time curriculum plan
• Complete the professional DPT program within a 5 year period
• Enroll full-time in Year 3 

Post-Professional Transitional Program in Physical Therapy
(Doctor of Physical Therapy) 

The University of Michigan-Flint Physical Therapy Department offers an online, Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT)  program. The t-DPT program is an online post-professional part-time or full-time program that allows the licensed or registered physical therapist to obtain the clinical doctorate (DPT) by demonstrating knowledge commensurate with that of current professional (professional, entry-level) DPT program outcomes and to do so in a way that takes into full account the learner’s knowledge, skills, behaviors and experience. 

Program Mission

The Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) Program at the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-F) prepares licensed physical therapists to assume the roles for contemporary, evidence based physical therapy practice consistent with various practice patterns throughout Michigan and the United States as described by the American Physical Therapy Association Vision 2020 statement: “Physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health.”

Graduates of the program are prepared to adapt to future practice patterns and are required to be critical thinkers and lifelong learners including but not limited to the use of current technology in the learning process. They are critical thinkers, recognizing the value of and using the scientific method and research literature to make sound clinical judgments. They understand the scope of physical therapy practice, recognizing when a patient needs medical management in substitution for or in addition to physical therapy. The t-DPT program operates under a guiding philosophy that practicing physical therapists should be competent to perform patient/client management of persons from infancy through the elder years. This lifespan approach enables graduates of the program to value and respect diversity of gender, race, culture and disability, regardless of age. Graduates are prepared for discharging their duties and responsibilities to the recipients of their services in a manner which promotes optimal health and function for the recipients, and which enhances the profession of physical therapy, the public health and welfare of the citizens of Michigan and the United States, and the graduates’ own continuing personal and professional growth. The  complete Mission Statement may be found online (www.umflint.edu/departments/pt/mission). 

Accreditation

The post-professional t-DPT program at the University of Michigan-Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, phone (800) 621-7440/ (312) 263-0456. 

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is congruent with the patient/client management model in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and the consensus-based educational outcomes and curricular content for professional education in A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education: Version 2000. The curriculum provides students with multiple opportunities to enhance their learning. A variety of teaching formats are used, including but not limited to didactic teaching, discussions, presentations, group projects and case reports. A modular course curriculum is used, supplemented by an online, self-instructional Blackboard course delivery visual system, extensive notes and background materials, and the opportunity to pursue independent studies in physical therapy. The courses/modules are often taught in sections of less than 15-week semesters such as 10 weeks. All degree requirements must be completed within three years from the time of initial acceptance. Extensions are granted on a case by case basis.

The Physical Therapy Department faculty mentor students using a collegial model which incorporates mutual respect and understanding between the faculty, staff, and physical therapy students as they proceed through the program. The collegial model and small class size encourage faculty and students to form close, effective working relationships that enhance student learning. The faculty has a consistent record of scholarly and service activity at the state, regional and national levels of the profession and therefore mentor students in leadership and service to the profession and community. The faculty are responsible for review, revision and implementation of curriculum. Students admitted to the program are expected to abide by faculty decisions about revisions of curriculum.  

Admission to the t-DPT Program

Students are admitted each semester on a rolling basis. Positions in the class are assigned to those candidates ranking highest among the group eligible for consideration. The number of available spaces in the class is currently 25. Admission to the post-professional t-DPT Program is the prerogative of the faculty of the program. Applicants are reminded that the reference forms are data sources that provide qualitative information about the applicant. The faculty utilizes these sources of information in the final admissions decisions. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements and qualifications by the time they are admitted:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in physical therapy from an accredited institution in the United States, or its equivalent in another country
• Physical therapy license or registration in the home country
• Overall 3.0 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in the physical therapy degree
• Current CPR certification (or equivalent) [if applying to a clinical specialization]

Application Process

To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit the following by the application deadline to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library, before the admissions committee will evaluate the applicant’s file: 

• Application for Graduate Admission (apply online or with a paper application)
• Application fee (non-refundable) payable to the University of Michigan-Flint
• Copy of current Physical Therapy license or registration in home country (if lapsed, a copy of most recent license or registration; if seeking a clinical specialization, the license or registration must be current) 
• Official transcripts from the institution where the baccalaureate degree was earned and from the institution where the Physical Therapy degree was earned (if different from the college of the baccalaureate degree)
• Portfolio Score Report* from the Physical Therapist Evaluation Tool (PTET) through the American Physical Therapy Association
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly and/or professional ability
• Copy of Educational Credential Review if educated outside the United States; FCCPT recommended for those licensed in the U.S. or Canada; all others may use an appropriate service such as FCCPT, ECE, or WES 
• Copy of current CPR card (or equivalent) [if applying to a clinical specialization]
• Proof  of English proficiency as required (See below)
   

*PTET Portfolio Score Report is not required of University of Michigan-Flint graduates with a MPT degree.

An interview (by telephone) with a PT faculty member may be scheduled after review of the applicant’s materials (not required for UM-Flint MPT graduates).

English Proficiency Requirements

For applicants whose native language is not English and/or who received their physical therapy degrees in a country other than the United States, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Australia or the United Kingdom, evidence of English proficiency must be provided through one of the methods listed below.  This requirement applies even to those who are currently U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and regardless of how long they have resided or been educated in the U.S.*

1. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, the Michigan English Language
 Assessment Battery (MELAB) or Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE). Scores must be no more than two (2) years old.  

    The table below indicates the minimum acceptable scores for admission, as well as the scores and score ranges for which a supplemental English writing
    course will be required upon admission to the program:
 

2. Provide an official transcript showing a degree earned at an accredited U.S., Canadian (English-speaking), Australian, or U.K. college or university OR  
    successful completion (‘C’ or higher) of ENG 111 or ENG 112 or its equivalent.

3. Provide a copy of your FCCPT Comprehensive Credential Evaluation Certificate.

*U.S. citizens and permanent residents who wish to have this requirement waived may make a case to the director of the post-professional DPT program.  The director, in turn, must make the case to the Dean of Graduate Programs.  Sufficient evidence of the requisite English proficiency must be provided.

Application Deadlines

Students are admitted to the t-DPT program fall and winter semester. To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs on or before the application deadline.  Deadlines are as follows: 

 Costs

Students should be aware that they will be required to purchase professional textbooks. Current estimates of costs students can anticipate are available to applicants through the Physical Therapy Department. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. 

Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy with Clinical Concentration (tc-DPT)

The Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy with Clinical Concentration Program (tc-DPT) is an online part-time or full-time program that allows the U.S. or Canadian licensed physical therapist to obtain the clinical doctorate (DPT) by demonstrating knowledge commensurate with that of current professional (professional, entry-level) DPT program outcomes and to do so in a way that takes into full account the learner’s knowledge, skills, behaviors, and experience. The elective, online clinical concentration meets the needs of licensed U.S. or Canadian practicing physical therapists by enhancing knowledge in important areas of specialty practice including clinical specialization using an evidence-based practice approach and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) descriptions of specialty practice.

The five-concentration curriculum was designed to enable students to succeed in select ABPTS areas of board certification as clinical specialists in Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Geriatric, Neurologic, Orthopedic or Pediatric physical therapy and to achieve the related objectives in the descriptions of specialty practice. The APTA “established the specialist certification program in 1978. Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. Clinical specialization in physical therapy responds to a specific area of patient need and requires knowledge, skill, and experience exceeding that of the physical therapist at entry to the profession and unique to the specialized area of practice. The specialist certification program was established to provide formal recognition for physical therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience, and skills in a special area of practice and to assist consumers and the health care community in identifying these physical therapists.”

The elective, online, clinical concentration prepares graduates to assume the roles required for contemporary, evidence-based specialty practice in one of five specialty areas. The Clinical Concentrations provide preparation and resources for licensed physical therapists seeking to obtain specialist certification by passing the ABPTS national board examination. “Clinical specialization promotes advance practice with provision of the highest possible level of care for individuals seeking physical therapy services in each specialty area. A Clinical Specialist will promote development of the science and the practice underlying each specialty area.” (www.APTA.org, 3/31/2009)

Students are encouraged to be lifelong learners including but not limited to the use of current technology in the learning process. Students may also become graduates of the Proposed APTA Credentialed Residency Programs by enrolling in a six-credit Advanced Practicum course after completion of the five course sequence (18 credits) didactic curriculum. The Advanced Practicum is required to meet the objectives of a credentialed residency program. 

Admission to the tc-DPT Program

Students are admitted Winter and Fall semesters on a rolling admission basis. The clinical concentration curriculum is lock-step and can be started only in the Fall semester. Positions in the class are assigned to those candidates ranking highest among the group eligible for consideration. The number of available spaces in the class is currently 15. Admission to the post-professional tc-DPT Program is the prerogative of the faculty of the program. Applicants are reminded that the reference forms are data sources that provide qualitative data. The faculty interprets these sources in making the final admissions decisions. 

Admission Requirements/Application Process

Admission requirements, the application process, and English proficiency requirements are the same as for the t-DPT  program. 

Application Deadline

The admission deadline is June 1 for U.S. students; international students are required to apply by March 1.

tc-DPT Curriculum

The curriculum of the Post-Professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy with Clinical Concentration (tc-DPT) is congruent with the patient/client management model in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and the consensus-based educational outcomes and curricular content for professional education in A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education: Version 2000. The curriculum provides students with multiple opportunities to enhance their learning. A variety of teaching formats are used, including but not limited to didactic teaching, discussions, presentations, group projects and case reports. A modular course curriculum is used, supplemented by an online, self-instructional Blackboard course delivery visual system, extensive notes and background materials, and the opportunity to pursue independent studies in physical therapy. The courses/modules and are often taught in sections of less than 15-week semesters, such as 10 weeks. All degree requirements must be completed within three years from the time of initial acceptance. Extensions are granted on a case by case basis. 

English Proficiency Requirements

If English is not your native language and/or if you received your physical therapy degree in a country other than the United States, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Australia, or the United Kingdom, you must demonstrate English proficiency by providing evidence through one of the methods listed below. This requirement applies even if you are currently a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and regardless of how long you have resided or been educated in the U.S.*:

1. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, the Michigan English Language
 Assessment Battery (MELAB) or Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE). Scores must be no more than two (2) years old.  

    The table below indicates the minimum acceptable scores for admission, as well as the scores and score ranges for which a supplemental English
    writing course will be required upon admission to the program: 

    2.     Provide an official transcript showing a degree earned at an accredited U.S., Canadian (English-speaking), Australian, or U.K. college or university OR
            successful completion (‘C’ or higher) of ENG 111 or ENG 112 or its equivalent.

    3.     Provide a copy of your FCCPT Comprehensive Credential Evaluation Certificate.

*If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and wish to waive this requirement, you may make your case to the director of the post-professional DPT program. The director, in turn, must make the case to the Dean of Graduate Programs. You must provide sufficient evidence that you have the requisite English proficiency.

Post-Professional Physical Therapy Clinical Certificates and Credentialed APTA Residency
(pending APTA approval) 

The online, part-time, Post-Professional, Physical Therapy Clinical Certificates and Credentialed APTA Residency program  meets the needs of licensed U.S. and Canadian practicing physical therapists by enhancing knowledge in important areas of advanced practice including clinical specialization using an evidence-based practice approach and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) descriptions of specialty practice. The five-certificate curriculum was designed to enable students to succeed in select ABPTS areas of board certification as clinical specialists in Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Geriatric, Neurologic, Orthopedic or Pediatric physical therapy and to achieve the related objectives in the descriptions of specialty practice. The APTA “established the specialist certification program in 1978. Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. Clinical specialization in physical therapy responds to a specific area of patient need and requires knowledge, skill, and experience exceeding that of the physical therapist at entry to the profession and unique to the specialized area of practice. The specialist certification program was established to provide formal recognition for physical therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience, and skills in a special area of practice and to assist consumers and the health care community in identifying these physical therapists.” Students are encouraged to be lifelong learners including but not limited to the use of current technology in the learning process.

More information about ABPTS specialist certification and the national board examination is available at: www.abpts.org/home.aspx. 

More information about APTA Credentialed Residency programs made be found at: www.apta.org/ResidencyFellowship/. 

Certificate and Credentialed APTA Residency Mission

The Post-Professional, Physical Therapy Clinical Certificate and Credentialed APTA Residency programs at the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-F) prepare graduates to assume the roles required for contemporary, evidence-based advanced practice in an area of specialty practice. The Clinical Certificate program provides preparation and resources for licensed physical therapists seeking to obtain specialist certification by passing the ABPTS national board examination. “Clinical specialization promotes advance practice with provision of the highest possible level of care for individuals seeking physical therapy services in each specialty area. A Clinical Specialist will promote development of the science and the practice underlying each specialty area.”  (www.APTA.org, 3/31/2009) 

Online Post-Professional Physical Therapy Clinical Certificate and Credentialed APTA Residency Curriculum

The Post-Professional Clinical Certificate/Residency programs are focused on advanced, specialty practice in five practice specialties:  Orthopedics, Neurology, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and Cardiovascular Pulmonary.  The Clinical Physical Therapy Certificate program consists of a five-course, 18-credit sequence of didactic coursework and an optional sixth 6-credit advanced practicum course. The advanced practicum completes the requirements for residency in addition to the five (5) courses. Generally, doctoral-prepared licensed physical therapists can complete the online, didactic requirements of the five courses with the additional advanced practicum course in 18 to 24 months.  The program builds on the contribution experience plays in developing physical therapy leaders and presents courses with immediate applicability to real world practice.

The curriculum is a planned program of post-professional didactic and clinical education, designed to advance significantly the student’s preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of specialty practice. The program combines the theoretical basis of specialty practice and scientific inquiry with the opportunity for mentoring with an ABPTS clinical specialist. The curriculum provides students with multiple opportunities to enhance their learning. A variety of teaching formats are used, including but not limited to didactic teaching, discussions, group projects, presentations, and case reports. A modular course curriculum is used, supplemented by a self-instructional audio-visual system, extensive notes and background materials such as the APTA Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 2^nd edition, 2001, and the opportunity to pursue independent studies in physical therapy. The courses/modules are often taught in sections of less than 15-week semesters such as 10 weeks. 

APTA Credentialed Residency

Following the satisfactory completion of all five didactic courses, students may choose to take the Advanced Practicum (6 credits). This course is required to attain the one-on-one mentored experience required for an APTA Credentialed Residency  in one the five areas of specialty practice: Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Geriatric, Neurologic, Orthopedic or Pediatric physical therapy. This clinical experience provides students an opportunity to engage in focused clinical mentoring with an ABPTS clinical specialist. The Advanced Practicum has Tracks A and B. 

Track A
The student who chooses Track A is required to use educational technology and telecommunications for the mentored experience. This enables the student “Resident” to remain at the current worksite while engaged in either a three-month, four hour/week one-on-one mentored experience or a six-month, two hour/week one-on-one mentored experience. 

Track B
The student who chooses Track B goes to a Practicum site for three months; some practicum sites are in distant cities or in other states. Students must provide their own transportation for travel to the Advanced Practicum. The student may be required to make his/her own arrangements for housing, as most facilities are no longer able to provide housing arrangements. A physical examination, immunizations, TB test and health insurance, and malpractice insurance will be required of students at their own expense if required by the Advanced Practicum site. A leave of absence may be necessary from full time employment during the Advanced Practicum, due to the full-time residency demands made by the nature and scheduling of the program. 

Accreditation

The part-time, online Clinical Certificate program at the University of Michigan-Flint is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, Phone (800) 621-7440/ (312) 263-0456. 

Admission to the Clinical Certificate/Credentialed APTA Residency Program

Students are admitted in the Fall semester only in a cohort class. Positions in the class are assigned to those candidates ranking highest among the group eligible for consideration. The number of available spaces in the cohort class for each of the five certificates is currently 15 students. Admission to the clinical certificate and credentialed APTA Residency is the prerogative of the faculty of the program. Applicants are reminded that the supplemental application and reference forms are data sources that provide quantitative information about the applicant. The faculty utilize these sources of information in the final admissions decisions. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements and qualifications by the time they are admitted: 

• Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited institution or current enrollment in the t-DPT program at UM-Flint

• Current physical therapy license in the United States or Canada

• Overall 3.0 GPA or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) in the physical therapy degree

• Current CPR certification 

Application Process

To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit the following by the application deadline to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library, before the admissions committee will evaluate the applicant’s file:

• Application for Graduate Admission (apply online or with a paper application)

• Application fee (non-refundable) payable to the University of Michigan-Flint

• Supplemental application form

• Official transcripts from the institution where the baccalaureate degree was earned and from the institution where the Physical Therapy degree was earned (if different from the college of the baccalaureate degree)

• Two letters of recommendation:  We strongly suggest that you include individuals who are able to comment on your academic and clinical abilities, such as a former supervisor or instructor from an accredited physical therapy program and/or a physician you have worked with)

• Statement of Purpose:  Attach or submit separately a career statement.  It should be typed and double-spaced.  Please use the following questions, as they relate to your clinical/academic circumstances, to assist in the preparation of the career statement:

  1. What are your professional goals or objectives related to advanced practice?

  2. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?

  3. How will the Certificate and credentialed APTA residency program at UM-Flint facilitate the accomplishment of your professional goals in advanced practice?

  4. How will you contribute to the physical therapy profession related to your area of advanced practice?

• Copy of current Physical Therapy license issued in the United States or Canada

• Copy of current CPR card

• International students must submit additional documentation

An interview (by telephone or in person) with a PT faculty member will be scheduled after review of the applicant’s materials. 

Application Deadline

The Clinical Physical Therapy Certificate program admits in the Fall semester only.  To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs on or before the application deadline of June 1. 

Costs

Students should be aware that they will be required to purchase professional textbooks, and if enrolled in the Advanced Practicum course, proof of current basic CPR and professional liability insurance. Projected costs for physical therapy students are available from the Physical Therapy Department. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. 

Clinical Certificate/Credentialed APTA Residency Curriculum

To earn a certificate, students must complete all of the online courses within one of five clinical specializations (18 credits). The didactic curriculum includes the following essential elements of the descriptions of specialty practice identified by the ABPTS: state-of-the-art foundational knowledge of anatomy/kinesiology, histology, and pathology; patient client-management model elements of examination, diagnosis, prognosis and plan of care including procedural interventions and patient education; health care system issues and case studies.

Students must complete all five didactic courses in sequence (18 credits) with an elective sixth course, Advanced Practicum. Students who elect to obtain the proposed APTA Credentialed Residency must meet this requirement for one-on-one mentored clinical experience. All requirements must be completed within three years from the time of initial acceptance. In extreme circumstances, students may petition for a leave of absence from the program and be allowed to continue later on a space available basis. (An example of extreme circumstances would be a serious medical problem.) Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 5.0 or higher and receive no course grade below “C”. 

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