Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Central Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program is committed to prepare knowledgeable, skillful, reflective and ethical physical therapists that make sound clinical decisions to enhance the health, function and well-being of their patients. This program seeks to cultivate professionals dedicated to life-long learning and professional development, patient advocacy, and the betterment of society. The program will: provide an educational environment that reflects the American Physical Therapy Associations' (APTA) Vision 2020 and the core values of the physical therapy profession as described in Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values; provide students with the skills and knowledge to become entry-level physical therapist practitioners who meet the physical therapy needs of clients in an evolving health care environment; and develop and sustain the necessary infrastructure and resources to support the mission of the program and achieve the educational, scholarship and service aims of the program. Students and graduates of the program in physical therapy program will: systematically evaluate and interpret data collected through patient examination and make accurate clinical judgments regarding the patient's physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis, and to guide clinical decision-making about an appropriate plan of care; effectively educate patients/clients and others (caregivers, colleagues, other health care professionals, students, the public) using culturally sensitive and appropriate teaching methods that are adapted to individual or group learning needs, the content being conveyed, and the educational context for teaching/learning; and communicate expressively and receptively (verbally, non-verbal, in writing) with patients, caregivers, colleagues, other health care practitioners, and others in ways that are respectful, culturally and linguistically sensitive and competent, and that take into consideration the individual differences, values, preferences and needs of those with whom they are communicating.