Physical Therapy - Transitional DPT (t-DPT)
In Final Stages of Approval:
Program Description
This online, post-professional t-DPT program is offered for currently practicing physical therapists who are interested in augmenting their education and earning a DPT.
Enhance your knowledge and skills, broaden your clinical perspective, and invigorate your passion for the profession. Learn with a diversity of clinicians who all come together with a desire to collaborate in a learning process that advances clinical skills and decision-making. Content is presented online from an evidence-based practice perspective, allowing you to apply the most current and relevant biomedical literature to individual patient management decisions on a daily basis. Learning materials are available via computer including the web and through live audio chat discussions and interaction. If you are a practicing physical therapist with a U.S. or Canadian license, UM-Flint’s Online Post-Professional t-DPT program is designed to enable you to advance your career to the doctoral level and to provide opportunity and challenge to enhance your professional competence and career marketability. Within our on-line program, opportunities exist to enhance your general clinical skills (t-DPT) and to enhance clinical skills in a focused professional practice area (Clinical Concentrations / PT Clinical Certificate with APTA Credentialed Residency).
Are you a busy, practicing clinician? Fitting Post-Professional t-DPT courses to advance your career can be challenging. In the University of Michigan-Flint Post-Professional t-DPT program courses are ALL offered online, making it a flexible and easy way to move forward. Most courses are offered in a semester (14 week) or condensed, half semester format (7 week). Students may take courses every semester, or opt to take a semester off. This program will fit your current work/life schedule.
The number of credits required to complete the Online Post-Professional t-DPT program depends on your educational background. Generally, master's-prepared, licensed PT's can complete the online Post-Professional t-DPT program taking 7 to 9 courses. Baccalaureate-prepared, licensed PT's can complete the program taking 9 to 15 courses, depending on prior experience (Previous Experience Link). UM-Flint’s Online Post-Professional t-DPT program is consistent with guidelines set by the APTA and offers courses relevant to advance clinical practice. The program recognizes the contribution experience plays in developing physical therapy leaders and presents courses with immediate applicability to real world practice.
Topics may include neuroscience, pharmacology, radiology, primary care and differential diagnosis, advanced clinical decision-making, teaching, learning, pediatrics, geriatrics, health education and wellness promotion. Join us in changing the future!
Program Curriculum
- The program consists of a minimum of 24 credits.
- All requirements must be completed within three years from the time of initial acceptance.
- By PTET review used to establish the learning contract, up to two courses may be substituted based on previous coursework. UM-Flint MPT Graduates may possibly substitute up to three courses or 12 credit hours. Students will be able to substitute up to 12 credit hours of the new specialization courses being developed for the Transitional Clinical DPTwith clinical concentrations in orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrica ans cardiopulmonary linked to APTA residencies (submitted to the HLC in a separate Request for Change Proposal). These substitutions must be specified in the initial learning contract.
- The Service Learning Practicum and Case Study Capstone may not be waived by any student.
- In extreme circumstances, students may petition for a leave of absence from the program and be allowed to continue later on a space available basis. An example of extreme circumstances would be a serious medical problem.
- Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 5.0 or higher and no course grade below "C".
Clinical Concentrations
Transitional DPT students have the option to elect to pursue a clinical concentration:
Clinical Specializations
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements and qualifications by the time they are admitted:
- Bachelor’s or master's degree in physical therapyfrom an accredited institution
- Physical therapy license in the United States or Canada
- Overall 3.0 GPA or higher in the physical therapy degree (as determined by the PTET review*)
Application Process
To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit the following by the application deadline to the Office of Graduate Programs, 251 Thompson Library, before the admissions committee will evaluate the applicant's file:
- Application for Graduate Admission (apply online or with a paper application)
- Application fee (non-refundable) payable to the University of Michigan-Flint
- Copy of current Physical Therapy license issued in the United States or Canada (If license has lapsed, submit a copy of most recent license; if seeking a clinical specialization, the license must be current.)
- Official transcripts from the institution where the baccalaureate degree was earned and from the institution where the Physical Therapy degree was earned (if different from the college of the baccalaureate degree)
- Portfolio Score Report* from the Physical Therapy Evaluation Tool (PTET) through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's scholarly and/or professional ability
- International students must submit additional documentation
An interview (by telephone or in person) with a PT faculty member will be scheduled after review of the applicant's materials (not required for UM-Flint MPT graduates).
*PTET Portfolio Score Report is not required of University of Michigan-Flint graduates with a M.P.T. degree
Application Deadlines
To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs on or before the application deadline.
Deadlines are as follows:
| Spring* | March 1 |
| Fall | May 1 |
Note: Graduates of the University of Michigan-Flint with a M.P.T. degree may apply to begin the program in January 2009. The priority application deadline for Winter 2009 admission is Monday, November 17, 2008.
* International students are are required to apply by January 1 for the spring semester.