Physical Therapy - Clinical Certificates
Program Description
The University of Michigan-Flint Clinical Physical Therapy Certificate program offers practicing DPT’s an opportunity to complete a Residency and prepare to become an ABPTS Board Certified Specialist in orthopedics (OCS), geriatrics (GCS), neurology (NCS), pediatrics (PCS), or cardiopulmonary physical therapy (CCS).
Learn with a diverse group of clinicians who 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 using the APTA sections Description of Specialty Practice (DSP), allowing you to apply the most current and relevant literature to individual patient management decisions on a daily basis. Learning materials are available electronically and through live audio chat discussions and interaction.
Fitting in a clinical concentration/certificate program and residency to advance your practice can be challenging. That is why all courses of the program are online. Most are offered in a semester (14 week) or half-semester (7 week) format. Students may take courses every semester, or opt to take a semester off. This program is designed to fit your current work/life schedule. The advanced clinical practice hours and mentoring required happen wherever you are working as a physical therapist, providing the flexibility to have a life while working and furthering your advanced practice.
Program Curriculum
The Clinical Physical Therapy Certificate program consists of 18 credits of didactic coursework and 6 credits of advanced practicum for ongoing mentoring and clinical advanced practice. Generally, Doctoral-prepared, licensed PT's can complete the online, didactic requirements of 5 courses with the additional advanced practicum course in 12 to 36 months. The program recognizes the contribution experience plays in developing physical therapy leaders and presents courses with immediate applicability to real world practice.
Clinical Certificate areas include:
Clinical Specializations
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements and qualifications by the time they are admitted:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited institution
- Current physical therapy license in the United States or Canada
- Overall 3.0 GPA or higher in the physical therapy degree
- Current CPR certification
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:
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Application for Graduate Admission (apply online or with a paper application)
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Application fee (non-refundable) payable to the University of Michigan-Flint
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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)
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Two letters of recommendation: We strongly suggest that you include individuals who are able to comment on your academic and clinical abilities, such as a former supervisor or instructor from an accredited physical therapy program and/or a physician you have worked with in the past.
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Statement of Purpose: Attach or submit separately a career statement. It should be typed and double-spaced. Please use the following questions, as they relate to your clinical/academic circumstances, to assist in the preparation of your career statement:
1. What are your professional goals or objectives related to advanced practice?
2. How do you plan to accomplish these goals?
3. How will the Certificate/residency program at UM-Flint facilitate the accomplishment of your professional goals in advanced practice?
4. How will you contribute to the physical therapy profession related to your area of advanced practice? -
Copy of current Physical Therapy license issued in the United States or Canada
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Copy of current CPR card
- 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.
Application Deadlines
The Clinical Physical Therapy Certificate program admits in the Fall semester only. To be considered for admission, an applicant must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Programs on or before the application deadline of May 1.
