Admissions
Admissions Procedure
Students interested in the DPT/PhD dual degree program should meet with the Director of the PhD program during their first year in the DPT program to discuss their research interests. In this meeting, the Director will advise on student eligibility based on previous academic performance, current academic standing, and research experience. Eligible students will be invited to apply for the DPT/PhD dual degree through the Graduate School's online application system. There is no application fee for this dual degree option. Students should indicate their status as a DPT/PhD dual-degree candidate on the graduate school application form.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit Graduate School application materials for the DPT/PhD dual-degree option is December 1st of the second year of the DPT program.
Admissions Procedure
Applications for the DPT/PhD dual-degree option will be evaluated by the PhD Admissions Committee. Submission of an application does not ensure acceptance into the dual-degree program. The Committee will determine whether the student qualifies for admission and if there is an available position that aligns with the applicant’s research interests. Candidates who receive an acceptable rating from at least 75% of the Admissions Committee members, as well as from at least one potential PhD faculty advisor, will be considered for further evaluation. All eligible candidates will then be ranked to facilitate the final acceptance decisions for the DPT/PhD dual-degree program.
Tuition & Scholarships
Students admitted to the DPT/PhD dual-degree program will receive a graduate assistantship, along with coverage for student health and fees, for a duration of 3.5 years during the PhD phase of the program.
Curriculum
This dual degree program adopts an integrative structure, allowing students to initially concentrate on earning their DPT degree through the standard curriculum while also engaging in select PhD research experiences. This includes a combined clinical-research component within one of the three Terminal Full-Time Clinical Experiences. After completing the DPT phase, students will fully transition to the PhD program. During the PhD phase of the program, the requirements will adhere to the established PhD curriculum, but credits obtained during the DPT degree will count towards the total, thus reducing the number of additional course credits.
DPT/PhD Contacts
Kelly Westlake, PhD
Director for PhD & DPT/PhD programs
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Allied Health Research Building
100 Penn Street, 205C
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 706-5919
KWestlake@som.umaryland.edu
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is accredited by the CAPTE.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Tel: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Web: www.capteonline.org