Coordinator:
John R. Krauss
363 Hannah Hall
(248) 370-4044
krauss@oakland.edu
Program description
The Graduate Certificate in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy is designed to offer advanced, graduate-level courses in orthopedics to physical therapists interested in developing clinical specialty skills. This educational program provides advanced theoretical and clinical training, emphasizing differential diagnosis and manual therapy procedures.
The graduate certificate program is offered as a part-time course of study accommodating the needs of working professionals. Students enrolled in the program will participate in 18 credits of coursework including orthopedic theory, techniques and clinical internship training. The length of study for this part-time program is two years, with courses being offered primarily on a weekend and evening basis. The clinical training entails clinical training at an approved clinical site. All of the required courses that comprise this graduate certificate can be applied to the Master of Science or Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy or transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Applicants are admitted Fall semester only. Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadline listed below.
- July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
International applicants: International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be received no later than May 1 for fall admission and no later than September 1 for winter admission.
Special Graduate classification: Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but who are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact their department and request Special Graduate temporary admission, provided they submit a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study, as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following University and Program application documents by the published application deadlines:
University graduate application requirements
- Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing 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.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted 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.
Program application requirements
- Applicants should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- Professional vitae or resume
- One-page narrative goal statement outlining academic and professional goals
- Applicants must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants who do not have a license upon admission will be considered for admission with limited standing. Proof of licensure is required to register for courses with clinical hours.
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 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.