Doctorate, master's, or bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or its equivalent in another country. For individuals with a bachelor's degree in PT, a master's degree in PT or another health-related field is also required
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale (or 5.0 on a 9.0 scale)
Physical Therapy license or registration (or equivalent)
Completion of prerequisite courses or their equivalents:
PTP 662 – Critical Inquiry I (3) or an equivalent course covering research design, methods and critical analysis of the literature, and the role of evidence based practice
PTP 663 – Critical Inquiry II (3) or an equivalent course covering common statistical topics and procedures in quantitative research including the application of data analysis using statistical software
PTP 681 – Teaching, Learning & Health Education (2) or PTP 881 - Teaching, Learning and Health Education (2)
PTP 761 – Evidence-Based Practice (1) (recommended)
PTP 602 – Independent Research (1-10) (recommended) (1-4 credits)
It is strongly suggested that prior to submitting an application, prospective students meet with the Associate Director of the PhD in PT program to discuss career and professional development goals and to help determine if the UM-Flint PhD in PT program can provide a good fit. Each PhD student must have a doctoral committee and chair, and prospective students must meet with potential chairs or co-chairs to determine if there is a match between the student’s and faculty interests. The Physical Therapy Department will assist in scheduling these meetings.
Official transcript from the colleges or universities where you earned your PT and other graduate degree(s) as well as any transcript that shows completion of prerequisite coursework
Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
A clearly defined Statement of Purpose that includes the following:
Why you are interested in an academic and/or research career
Your proposed area/topic(s) of scholarly inquiry
If you have secured a PT faculty member to serve as your advisor and Ph.D. Committee Chair, explain how your research goals align with your chair’s scholarship. If you have not yet secured a chair, name the faculty member(s) you could likely work with and how your research goals may align with their scholarship (see the PT website for a current listing of faculty with Ph.D. degrees).
Statements may be submitted online during the application process or emailed to graduate@umflint.edu.
Two letters of reference are required. Please include individuals who are able to comment on your academic and clinical abilities, personal qualities, and potential teaching, research/scholarship, and service capabilities. Please include:
A letter from a faculty member from the program granting the most recent degree.
A letter from a faculty member or another individual (clinical supervisor, administrator, etc.) who can comment on the attributes listed above.
Please attach a sample of a recent technical/scientific manuscript or report you have written. If you have questions regarding this manuscript/report, please discuss this with the Associate Director for the Ph.D. in PT program before submitting.
Copy of FCCPT Educational Credentials Review, for applicants educated outside the U.S. or Canada.
TOEFL 84 (internet-based) - overall score
IELTS 6.5 overall band, Paper Based 560