Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Science in Physical Therapy


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Physical Therapy Program
201 Hannah Hall  (map)
(248) 370-4041 • Fax (248) 370-4287
www.oakland.edu/shs/pt 

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Director:
Kristine A. Thompson
201 Hannah Hall
(248) 370-4043
kathomps@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) degree program is designed to provide practicing physical therapists with advanced knowledge in theoretical and clinical aspects of the profession. The clinical curriculum addresses orthopedic, pediatric, and adult neurological aspects of physical therapy while the theoretical curriculum focuses on biomechanics and motor learning. Optional clinical experiences, in a residency format, are gained through cooperating internship sites for some specialty areas. Graduates of the program are prepared for autonomous specialty practice within their area of study.

Students can elect to complete specific subsets of courses leading to a graduate certificate in oncology rehabilitation, orthopedic manual physical therapy, a graduate certificate in pediatric rehabilitation, graduate certificate in orthopedic physical therapy, graduate certificate in neurological rehabilitation, or a graduate certificate in teaching and learning.

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 submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by 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 must have earned a bachelor’s degree or an entry-level master’s degree in physical therapy from a regionally accredited institution or proof of a U.S. equivalent degree for foreign educated applicants.
  • Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Professional vitae or resume
  • Personal statement describing career experiences and professional goals. It is strongly recommended applicants have two years of clinical experience.
  • Applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and arrange for their official GRE scores to be submitted to Oakland University. The institution code for Oakland University is 1497.
  • 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.


Applicants with an undergradute GPA less than 3.0 with the appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation may be considered for admission with limited standing. Applicants who qualify for this admission status must complete a minimum of 8 credits of graduate-level work with a GPa of 3.0 or above within the first year of their program, to be advanced to full admission.

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.

Degree requirements


The Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree program is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 36 credits in an approved program of study.

Course requirements


c. Exit


Candidates for the Master of Science degree must choose either to carry out an independent research project culminating with the completion of a master’s thesis or to conduct in-depth study in a number of approved areas, followed by a comprehensive examination covering these areas.

  • PT 690, Thesis Research (a minimum of 4 credits) 

    Students who choose the thesis option select an adviser who serves as the thesis committee chair, and two committee members agreed upon by the student and chair. A thesis proposal is presented orally and in writing to the committee for approval. Research topics usually consist of experimental studies in the areas of biomechanics, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, measurement and evaluation, performance assessment, physical rehabilitation and studies of lifestyle behavior. The thesis is presented and defended by the candidate at a meeting open to all interested faculty members. All thesis requirements must adhere to university format standards and deadlines (see Thesis and Dissertation  in the Graduation Information section of this catalog).
     
  • PT 650, Comprehensive Examination (a minimum of 4 credits)

    The comprehensive examination option is designed to provide those students who do not wish to conduct thesis research an opportunity for in-depth study in several areas. Under this option, students select a minimum of three topics, with their adviser’s approval. Extensive reading lists for each topic are compiled from recommendations submitted by three or more faculty members who have expertise in the area. A comprehensive examination consisting of selected questions for each topic area is given in order to determine if the candidate has the in-depth knowledge expected of a master’s degree candidate. The comprehensive examination can be arranged to be given in three parts, covering each of the topics studied.
     

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 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. The required types of monitoring include Time Limit, Completion Rate, Excessive Withdrawals and GPA Requirements. 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. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable program and maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Good academic standing is a requirement for:

  1. Holding a Graduate Assistantship
  2. Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
  3. Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
  4. Going on a leave of absence
  5. Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.

Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
 

Department requirements: In order to remain in good standing at the graduate level, students must maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 or better. Credit toward the degree will not be given for courses with grades under 2.5.
 

Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.

Related program information


Plan of study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree program requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.

Academic advising

Upon acceptance into the program, students are assigned a faculty adviser who will assist the student in developing a plan of study.

Time limits

If more than six years have passed since the student has been admitted to the MSPT program, and all requirements (including an approved research report) have not been completed, the student must petition the program coordinator and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning for an extension. Students who are deemed inactive may be dropped from the program, although they may petition for reinstatement.

 

 

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