Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the PhD in Physical Therapy program should meet the following requirements:

• A doctoral or master’s degree in Physical Therapy or a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy with a master’s degree in a health-related field from an accredited institution in the United States (or equivalent in another country).
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B) on a 4.0 scale
• Physical Therapy license or registration (or equivalent).
• History of undergraduate, graduate or other research experience
• Congruency between the applicant’s stated research interests, faculty expertise, and availability
• Completion of prerequisite courses or their equivalents:
  • A 3-credit course covering research design, methods, and critical analysis of the literature, and the role of evidence-based practice. For dual DPT/PhD in PT applicants: PTP 820 – Quantitative Research Methods (4)
  • A 3-credit course covering common statistical topics and procedures in quantitative research, including the application of data analysis using statistical software. For dual DPT/PhD in PT applicants: PTP 821 – Statistical Analysis for Quantitative Research (4)
  • PTP 681 – Teaching, Learning & Health Education (2) or an equivalent

Recommended:

• PTP 761 – Evidence-Based Practice (1) 
• PTP 602 – Independent Research (1-10, optional, elected for 1-4 credits)

Note: You are encouraged to speak with the Associate Director of the PhD in PT program regarding your eligibility for admission. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee entrance into the program. Submit a detailed inquiry into the program.

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Applying to the PhD in Physical Therapy Program

It is strongly suggested that prior to submitting an application, prospective students meet with the Associate Director of the PhD in PT program to discuss career and professional development goals and to help determine if the UM-Flint PhD in PT program can provide a good fit. Each PhD student must have a doctoral committee and chair, and prospective students must meet with potential chairs or co-chairs to determine if there is a match between the student’s and faculty interests. The Physical Therapy Department will assist in scheduling these meetings.

To be considered for admission, submit the following to the Office of Graduate Programs:

• Application for Graduate Admission
• $55 application fee (non-refundable)
• Signed Chair Acceptance form must accompany application, waiver available at the department level
• Copy of current Physical Therapy license or registration (or equivalent) (if license has lapsed submit a copy of most recent license)
• Official transcript from the colleges or universities where you earned your PT and other graduate degree(s) as well as any transcript that shows completion of prerequisite coursework. Please read our full transcript policy for more information.
• Copy of Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy Educational Credentials Review, for applicants educated outside the U.S. or Canada.
• If English is not your native language, and you are not from an exempt country, you must demonstrate English proficiency.
• Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
• A clearly defined Statement of Purpose that includes the following:
  • Why you are interested in an academic and/or research career
  • Include detailed description of research experience
  • Your proposed area/topic(s) of scholarly inquiry
  • If you have secured a PT faculty member to serve as your advisor and PhD Committee Chair, explain how your research goals align with your chair’s scholarship. If you have not yet secured a chair, name the faculty member(s) you could likely work with and how your research goals may align with their scholarship (see the Department of Physical Therapy for a current listing of faculty with PhD degrees).
  • Statements may be submitted online during the application process or emailed to [email protected].
• Two letters of recommendation are required. Please include individuals who are able to comment on your academic and clinical abilities, personal qualities, and potential teaching, research/scholarship, and service capabilities. Please include:
  • A letter from a faculty member from the program granting the most recent degree.
  • A letter from a faculty member or another individual (clinical supervisor, administrator, etc.) who can comment on the attributes listed above.
• Please attach a sample of a recent technical/scientific manuscript or report you have written. If you have questions regarding this manuscript/report, please discuss this with the Associate Director for the PhD in PT program before submitting.
• Students from abroad must submit additional documentation.
• After Physical Therapy Department’s initial review of the application materials above, a completed PhD Committee Chair Acceptance form signed by the PhD faculty member who has agreed to serve as the applicant’s doctoral committee chair.

This program is an on-campus program with in-person courses. Admitted students can apply for a student (F-1) visa. Students living abroad are unable to complete this program online in their home country. Other nonimmigrant visa holders currently in the United States please contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected].

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Application Deadlines

The PhD in Physical Therapy admits each year for the fall semester. Application deadline:

• May 1