Graduate Certificate in Neurological Rehabilitation

  

 

Physical Therapy Program 3077 Human Health Building  (map) (248) 370-4041 • Fax (248) 364-8660 www.oakland.edu/shs/pt

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Director:
Kristine A. Thompson
3077 Human Health Building
(248) 370-4041
kathomps@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The Graduate Certificate in Neurological Rehabilitation (GCNR) is designed to provide advanced theoretical and clinical training for physical and occupational therapists interested in specializing in the areas of neurorehabilitation and geriatrics. The GCNR will allow practicing therapists to take graduate-level courses aimed at developing the specialty skills of a master clinician in treating those individuals with a neurological injury such a stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s disease. Physical therapists may apply the 17 GCNR credits toward completion of the post-professional Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy degree program, the post-professional Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree program, or the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. Occupational therapists who gain specialization in neurological rehabilitation, however, are not eligible for the Master of Science in Physical Therapy or the Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy degrees.

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 Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• July 15 for fall semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

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 in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus 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.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning  with the dates below.

• August 1 for fall semester
• December 1 for winter semester
• April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester.

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 an entry-level degree in physical therapy and in occupational therapy.
• Professional vitae or resume
• One-page narrative goal statement outlining academic and professional goals
• Applicants must be licensed or eligible for licensure as a physical therapist in the U.S. or Canada or currently enrolled in a post-professional Doctor of Science, transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, or Master of Science in physical therapy degree program
• Two years of clinical experience is highly recommended
• International 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 with an undergraduate 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.