Master of Science in Physical Therapy

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.