General Program Description

The Program in Physical Therapy offers a 3.5-year professional DPT program that prepares graduates for practice as a competent physical therapist. Graduates will be prepared to provide physical therapy services in a variety of settings, understand the process of research and its application to practice, and to demonstrate effective self-evaluation and communication skills. Students complete four full-time clinical experiences totaling 36 weeks.

Clinical Experiences
The clinical component of the program includes one 4-week clinical experience of 160 hours at the end of the first professional year, one 8-week clinical experience of 320 hours during the second professional year (PYII), and 24 weeks of clinical internship experience (960 hours) at the end of the third professional year (PYIII). Students gain clinical experience in a variety of settings throughout Michigan and the U.S.

Faculty
There are twelve full-time faculty members, as well as associated faculty, lecturers, lab assistants, guest lecturers and clinical faculty. All full-time faculty post-professional doctoral degrees and two are certified as clinical specialists. Nine faculty members are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty actively participates in scholarship, service and professional activities. The faculty-to-student ratio is 1:12.

Enrollment
Oakland University is a state-assisted institution of approximately 20,000 students that offers a diverse set of academic programs from baccalaureate to doctoral levels. The doctor of physical therapy program accepts 36 students each year.

Admission
Admission into the physical therapy program occurs in the fall. Admission requirements include a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) and a minimum 2.5 in all prerequisite courses. The average overall GPA of students admitted in 2014 was 3.7. Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to admission to the program. Foreign educated students will be required to demonstrate an education level equivalent to a B.S. degree in the United States. Students will be considered for admission if they will be completing their baccalaureate degree and all prerequisite courses prior to the start of the program. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above is required. Applicants must have received a minimum grade of 2.5 in all prerequisite courses. Foreign-educated students must meet all university requirements for proficiency in English. All students will take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Additional requirements include completion of an application through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), satisfactory letters of recommendation and an essay. Students must meet the essential functions guidelines for admission, retention and graduation from the program. Essential functions guidelines can be found on the PT Program website page. The Oakland University web page address is oakland.edu. Observation of physical therapists in several different settings is recommended. Documentation of hours by a physical therapist is not required and there is no minimum number of required observation hours. Students who are admitted limited standing to the program must fulfill all condition(s) before being fully admitted to the DPT program. All students who are admitted to the program must provide original transcripts to Graduate Admissions to be fully admitted to the DPT program. The following minimum prerequisites will also be required: One course in Biology, with lab in Biology, Human Anatomy, or Physiology. One course in Anatomy (human). One course in Physiology. Combined human anatomy and physiology course will be accepted however it must be two semesters or be a minimum of 6 credits. Two (sequential) courses in Chemistry with lab (required for only one semester). Two (sequential) courses in Physics with lab (required for only one semester). One course in Exercise Physiology. One course in Introductory Statistics. One course in Introductory Psychology. One course in Developmental Psychology (Child or lifespan psychology may be used to fulfill this requirement). Math through pre-Calculus (One semester of algebra and one semester of analytical trigonometry may be used to fulfill this requirement).

Outcomes
97% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). 100% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average 20010 -2013) 100% of the graduates responding to surveys who wish to be employed are employed (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The estimated cost of tuition and fees for the 2014-2015 academic year (fall, winter and summer) is approximately $25,500 for in-state students and $41,080.00 for out-of -state students. In 2014-2015 the cost of tuition and fees per credit hour was $$637.25 for in-state students and $ 1,027.00 for out-of-state students. Books are estimated at $1,000 per year. Institutional, state, and federal aid are available on a competitive basis. For information, contact Financial Aid, 120 North Foundation Hall, at 248 370-2550.

Student life
Oakland University was founded in 1957 when the late Alfred G and Matilda R Wilson donated their 1,500-acre estate and two million dollars to Michigan State University to begin a new college in Oakland County. The natural beauty of the campus, much of it still wooded and undeveloped, is enhanced by comprehensive recreational facilities and modern buildings that house the university’s many academic and public service programs as well as some 1,500 residential students. Adjacent to the campus is the Oakland Technology Park, a research park where private-sector companies work with higher education.