Physical Therapy, D.P.T.

Debbie Silkwood-Sherer, Director

HPB 1232, 774-1337

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 118 - 131 hours

The professional curriculum in physical therapy is three years in length. Students are eligible to apply for admission to the Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy any time after they have no more than one (1) year of coursework remaining for their undergraduate degree. Students must complete both the requirements for their undergraduate or graduate major and the physical therapy prerequisite courses before entering the program. At the completion of the professional program, the student will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.). In the undergraduate preparation phase, the student can enroll in one of a number of appropriate undergraduate majors. Some suggested undergraduate majors include exercise science, health administration, biomedical science, biology, neuroscience, psychology, child development, therapeutic recreation, or a master's degree in Athletic Training. When contacting an advisor from their chosen undergraduate or graduate major during their first semester to identify the coursework that is needed for their undergraduate or graduate degree, students should also discuss how to incorporate into their program a series of prerequisite courses that are required to prepare them for the coursework in the doctoral program in physical therapy.

This program is also offered on a satellite campus in Houghton, MI.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

GPA: 3.0

See the complete Application Process Instructions referenced below

Admission to the Professional Curriculum

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program uses the PTCAS (Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service), an online application service. For complete instructions on the application process go to the Physical Therapy Application Requirements web-page: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CHP/hp_academics/physical_therapy/Pages/Admissions.aspx.

To be eligible for admission students must complete the following requirements:

1. Submit application as described in The Physical Therapy Application Requirement web-page: https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CHP/hp_academics/physical_therapy/Pages/Application-Requirements.aspx.
2. Complete a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer/career exploration or paid work in physical therapy clinic.
3. Complete all prerequisite courses before entry into the program.
4. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisite courses with no grade below a 2.0 in any prerequisite course.
5. Complete undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Admission into the Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy is competitive. Students should contact The Herbert H. and Grace A Dow College of Health Professions Admissions office for specific information or questions on this process. 989-774-1730.

Retention and Dismissal

Students will be placed on probation for:

1. Any grade below a C (2.0) or NC (NC) in any course required in the PT professional curriculum.
2. A cumulative GPA below 3.0 for any semester.

Students may be dismissed from the program for:

1. Two consecutive semesters of probation.
2. Failure to satisfactorily complete remedial work required to be taken off probation.
3. Failure to satisfactorily complete a repeated course at a level of CR (credit) or C or above.
4. Multiple academic or clinical deficits to a degree that makes it unlikely the student will be able to succeed in the remainder of the curriculum.
5. A cumulative GPA below 3.0 (graduate) in the professional portion of the physical therapy curriculum for two semesters.
6. Failure (NC) of clinical affiliation/internship courses.
7. A lack of professional conduct and/or any behavior patterns that may jeopardize the safety or well-being of patients or others; this includes students who do not demonstrate satisfactory performance or progress in Professional Behaviors Assessment in academic or clinical courses.
8. Dishonesty in communications with the Physical Therapy program, or participation in unethical or illegal activity including, but not limited to, academic dishonesty or violations of the APTA Code of Ethics and Guide for Professional Conduct.

Program Requirements

First Year I - Summer (8 hours)

HSC 630	Regional Human Anatomy	5(3-4)
PTH 618	Human Physical Development	2(2-0)
PTH 625	Imaging in Physical Therapy	1(1-0)

First Year II - Fall (17 hours)

PTH 617	Clinical Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I	2(2-0)
PTH 626	Neuroanatomy in Physical Therapy	3(3-0)
PTH 635	Examination and Diagnosis I	2(1-2)
PTH 645	Foundations of Patient Care	5(3-4)
PTH 665	Physical Therapy Seminar I	1(1-0)
PTH 672	Clinical Anatomy and Kinesiology of Human Joints	4(3-3)

First Year III - Spring (16 hours)

PTH 622	Clinical Pathophysiology & Pharmacology II	2(2-0)
PTH 633	Clinical Education I	3(1-3)
PTH 636	Examination and Diagnosis II	2(1-2)
PTH 646	Therapeutic Interventions	5(3-4)
PTH 650	Research & Evidence-Based Practice I	3(3-0)
PTH 666	Physical Therapy Seminar II	1(1-0)

Second Year I - Summer (11 hours)

PTH 634	Clinical Education II	6(Spec)
PTH 655	Teaching and Learning in Physical Therapy	2(2-0)
PTH 661	Manual Therapy I	1(0-2)
PTH 725	Research & Evidence-Based Practice II	1(1-0)
PTH 894	Issues and Practice in Gender Health	1(1-0)

Second Year II - Fall (15 hours)

PTH 623	Clinical Pathophysiology & Pharmacology III	2(2-0)
PTH 690	Motor Learning in Neurorehabilitation	2(2-0)
PTH 732	Clinical Education III	3(1-3)
PTH 735	Examination and Diagnosis III	2(1-2)
PTH 745	Therapeutic Interventions II	5(3-4)
PTH 765	Physical Therapy Seminars III	1(1-0)

Second Year III - Spring (16 hours)

PTH 621	Clinical Pediatrics	2(2-0)
PTH 624	Clinical Pathophysiology and Pharmacology IV	2(2-0)
PTH 662	Manual Therapy II	2(0-4)
PTH 695	Ethics in Physical Therapy	3(3-0)
PTH 736	Examination and Diagnosis IV	1(1-0)
PTH 746	Therapeutic Interventions III	5(4-2)
PTH 766	Physical Therapy Seminars IV	1(1-0)

Third Year I - Summer (11 hours)

PTH 620	Clinical Management of Geriatric Patients	2(2-0)
PTH 710	Principles in Clinical Administration	2(2-0)
PTH 825	Health Promotion in Physical Therapy Practice	2(2-0)
PTH 845	Clinical Decision Making in Advanced Therapeutic Exercise	2(1-2)
PTH 870	Rehabilitation Care Management	3(3-0)

Third Year II - Fall (16 hours)

PTH 790	Clinical Research I	4(Spec)
PTH 832	Clinical Education IV	12(Spec)

Third Year III - Spring (16 hours)

PTH 890	Clinical Research II	4(Spec)
PTH 932	Clinical Education V	12(Spec)

Electives (4 hours)

4 hours of PTH electives.

Total: 118-131 semester hours

Note: The total number of credit hours required for completion of the program may be reduced by up to 12 credit hours based on a student's prior course work or experiences. The previous course work or experience must have provided the student with the equivalent knowledge and skills presented in the specific required course(s) within the DPT curriculum. The faculty of the Physical Therapy Program will make the determination on whether a student's previous course work and experience are equivalent to the content of a specific course.

Additional Program Requirements:

Doctoral Research Project: Students must complete a Doctoral Research Project in Clinical Research I and II.

PTH 790	Clinical Research I	4(Spec)
PTH 890	Clinical Research II	4(Spec)

To fulfill the requirements for PTH 790 and PTH 890 the student must complete either:

1. a prospective research project or
2. a clinical case report. Students must submit final manuscripts in publication form according to program guidelines.

At the completion of the professional curriculum, students will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.

Accreditation

The Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Central Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085 ; telephone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]; website: www.capteonline.org. The Central Michigan University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Michigan Technological University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education as an expansion program of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Central Michigan University.