Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the program?
2.5 years (30 months) Classes begin in late June and graduation takes place in December.
How many credit hours are required to complete the program?
The full program is 110 credit hours (94 didactic; 16 full-time clinical).
What is the class schedule?
The class schedule will vary by semester but you should be prepared to be in class five to seven hours per day (on average). You will always have at least a one-hour lunch break each day, and we will try to schedule one afternoon or one full day each week without classroom time.
How many full-time clinical rotations are in the program?
Three. One is 10 weeks in duration following the first full year of didactic work. The second is also 10 weeks and falls in the middle of the second year. The third is 12 weeks in duration during the final semester of the program.
Do you offer full-time clinical rotations outside the state of Michigan?
Yes. We currently have a number of contracts with facilities outside Michigan (primarily in surrounding states), and we are establishing relationships on an ongoing basis with out-of-state clinics and hospitals as the program develops.
Do I get to choose where I will complete my clinical experiences?
There are many factors to be considered when placing students for formal clinical experiences. Our first priority is ensuring that students are placed in settings that will afford them the best clinical education. In addition, we must ensure that students gain experience in a broad range of settings (we require one formal rotation in an inpatient setting, one in an outpatient setting, and one that is the student鈥檚 choice as long as all other requirements are met). Another consideration is the need to utilize facilities with which we have a formal legal contract (required by law). As the program is still quite new, the facilities on this list continue to grow, expanding our available placement sites both locally and nationally. While student choice will be a factor in placement considerations, it will not be the sole component.
Admissions
How many students are admitted each year?
There will be 30 students in each cohort.
What are your minimum application requirements?
Minimum requirements can be found at wmich.edu/physicaltherapy/dpt/requirements.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for applications will be roughly October 15 of each year. Details can be found at .
Will you select applicants on a rolling basis, or consider all applicants once the deadline is passed?
We will consider all applications once the application deadline has passed. At that time, we will determine which applications are eligible for further review (i.e., those that meet all application requirements) and will score and rank order all qualified applications. From those applicants, we will select candidates for an on-campus or virtual interview.
Do you have a minimally acceptable GRE score?
No we do not. However, we recognize that GRE scores are one of the strongest predictors of success in completing PT school and passing the licensure exam (NPTE) (which is, of course, a standardized test). Therefore, higher GRE scores are considered when we rank applicants and make selections for interviews. If applicants have taken the GRE more than one time, we only consider the highest achieved scores.
How do I know if classes I鈥檝e taken meet the program鈥檚 prerequisite standards?
If you are unsure about whether courses you鈥檝e completed (or are planning to take) will be accepted as prerequisites for the 色色啦 DPT program, we suggest you speak with Sarah Anderson, the program鈥檚 advisor.
Can I still be taking classes/prerequisites at the time of application?
Yes, as long as all prerequisite courses are completed (and passed with a C or better) before June 1st prior to the start of the program, your application will be eligible for review. Offers for admission will be issued before the end of each spring semester, and may be revoked if a C or better is not achieved in any prerequisite course taken in that spring semester.
Do you require a certain number and/or type of clinical observation?
No, for the following two reasons: (1) We believe that observation hours place a lot of burden and stress on clinical facilities and we have a far greater need for clinical sites to take students for formal clinical education, and (2) There is no guarantee as to the quality of those observation hours (e.g. simple presence in a clinic could be logged as observation time, regardless of whether clinician/patient interaction was observed). However, we do expect that aspiring students have explored the profession thoroughly (including some observation) and can articulate this knowledge and experience if granted an admissions interview.
Does the admissions process include an interview?
Yes. Applicants will be ranked according to a composite score of all the required application items (e.g. GPA, GRE score, CASPer score, etc.). Based on ranking score, the program will then select 120-150 applicants to invite for interviews. The interview score will be added to the initial score and candidates will then be ranked for offers of admission. Based on each student鈥檚 final ranking, they will be 1) offered admission, 2) placed on a waitlist, or 3) declined admission.
My current GPA is lower than 3.0. What can I do to improve it?
Our recommendation in this case is to meet with Sarah Anderson, the program鈥檚 advisor, who will help you determine your best course of action. This may involve taking additional courses or repeating courses in which a low grade was earned.
Miscellaneous
What is the program鈥檚 accreditation status?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program at 色色啦 Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: @email; website: . If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (269) 387-7352 or email @email.
What makes the 色色啦 DPT program unique?
The most obvious reason is that the program is very new with a contemporary and well-planned curriculum. 色色啦鈥檚 DPT program is the only one in Michigan that is 2.5 years in length (other programs in the state require up to 3.5 years). The faculty who have joined the 色色啦 DPT team have done so out of a desire to build the strongest program in the region. In addition, the program is housed in a newly-renovated building with ultra-modern furnishings and all new equipment. The area designated for the program has large classrooms, its own kitchen space and comfortable study areas. There are many opportunities for classroom and clinical collaboration with other health-related disciplines in the College of Health and Human Services to prepare students for success in 鈥渞eal鈥 world interdisciplinary practice.
What is the cost of the program?
Tuition at 色色啦 Michigan University is currently $703.48/credit hour for in-state students and $1055.22/credit hour for out of state students (spring 2022). Students can also anticipate course fees to total $2700 ($300 per semester). In addition, 色色啦 requires several other fees (relatively small) of all students. Additional and up-to-date information can be found here.
Will I be able to work an outside job while enrolled in the program?
To some extent, yes. We realize the financial burden that PT school places on most students, and some must work while in school. However, in our experience, students who work more than 10 hours per week tend to struggle to keep up with the vast amount of material presented.
After completing the program, when can graduates take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE; licensing examination)?
There are four (4) scheduled test dates per year for the NPTE. These occur in January, April, July, and October. With a planned program graduation in December, some graduates will be eligible to take the NPTE in October prior to their graduation (many stipulations are in place that would permit students to take the exam at this time). Most students will take the NPTE in January.