University of Michigan-Flint

Yes.  You must have a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited institution or be currently enrolled in UM-Flint tDPT Program.

The certificate program will meet the needs of practicing physical therapists by enhancing knowledge in important areas within areas of clinical specialization using an evidence-based practice approach and the APTA descriptions of specialty practice.  The curriculum was designed to enable students to select specific practice patterns that have been designated in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice by the APTA and are APTA areas of board certification as a clinical specialist: orthopedics, neurology, cardiovascular and pulmonary, geriatric, and pediatric physical therapy.  To earn a certificate, students must complete all of the courses within one of the clinical specializations (18 credit hours).  The curriculum will include the following essential elements of the practice patterns identified by the APTA:  foundational/background review of anatomy/kinesiology, histology, and pathology; patient client –management elements of  examination and plan of care including intervention and patient education; case studies; health care system issues; and an optional 6 credit hour advanced practicum. 

No. This is a fully Online Program.

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?

The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) does not review or accredit Clinical Certification/Residency programs. UM-Flint is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (HLC of NCA), The Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504, Phone: (800) 621-7440 / (312) 263-0456.  Regional accreditation is the highest level of accreditation any higher education institution in the United States can achieve.

You will take one or two courses per semester, some courses maybe be taught in 7 weeks or 14 weeks during the semester.

Yes, however, this is limited to two courses or 6 credit hours.

See the Graduate Programs Tuition and Fees page for the most current information at http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/tuition.htm

Clinical Certification/Residency students are responsible for tuition, the online course fee, the Physical Therapy course fee, and the mandatory standard fees. Access the university tuition and fee schedule at http://www.umflint.edu/studentaccounts or speak to Graduate Programs

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There are limited types of assistance that graduate students consider:
·         Tuition Reimbursement programs with employer.
·         Any sources of private funding that students/parents may access. Home equity
          loans,  trusts, savings plans, employment earnings, etc. may be options.

To answer any additional questions, contact the Office of Financial Aid University of Michigan-Flint, 277 Pavilion, Flint, MI 48502-1950 by Phone: 1- (810) 762-3444 with Regular Office Hours:  Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00PM  or Fax: (810) 766-6757 (United States and Canada), or by Email: Financial_Aid@list.umflint.edu.

For those students who are enrolled in the tDPT program, there are many types of assistance that graduate students consider:
·         Tuition Reimbursement programs with employer.
·         Federal loans through the United States Department of Education.  Students must
          complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for consideration.
·         VA benefits – All eligible veterans should be speaking with their local VA office about 
          eligibility. The VA representative for the UM-Flint is located in the Registrar’s Office.
·         Federal and state agencies have programs that provide tuition assistance and
          sometimes subsistence to eligible students.
·         UM-Flint Office of Graduate Programs, Graduate Scholarships/Grants 
·         Any sources of private funding that students/parents may access. Home equity
          loans, trusts, savings plans, employment earnings, etc. may be options. 
·         Alternative  loans – visit www.umflint.edu/finaid for more information.

The tcDPT program offers five (5) areas of specialization.  Click on the program for curriculum details.

·         Orthopaedics

·         Pediatrics

·         Neurology

·         Geriatrics

·         Cardiovascular and Pulmonary

6 credits of the required 24 credits will be waived.  It is also possible to transfer 6 credits.  Credits maybe transferred from another university and APTA home study courses where you have completed the final tests and passed, and the APTA CI credentialing course counts as 1 credit if you complete it.  For the APTA courses a copy of your certificate of completion is needed along with the course objectives and outline of content.  The PTET will help with this.

Three (3) years.

No.  This program prepares you to sit for your exam to become a Clinical Specialist.

Yes, once we complete the APTA multi-step process for credentialing a residency.  We cannot finish this process until the first student is started in the residency program.