Important Documents
Detailed Information
The Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degree is designed to prepare students to become scholars and leaders. The scholar not only discovers, integrates, and applies knowledge but also communicates and disseminates it. The PhD graduate has the ability to make significant contributions to scholarship in physical therapy. Students in a PhD program are required to grasp complex intellectual issues in addition to the highly technical standards necessary for research and scholarship.
PhD Admission Process
Review by the Advanced Degree Admissions Committee
The Advanced Degree Admissions Committee (ADAC) for the Department of Physical Therapy consists of five members of the UCA graduate faculty. Four members are faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy, and one member is a graduate faculty member from a department other than Physical Therapy. Upon submission of the application materials, the ADAC will determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for average scores on the GRE and TOEFL (if required), and appropriate interest area and statement of purpose.
Interview
Applicants who meet the criteria are invited for an interview. An on-site interview at the University of Central Arkansas is preferred, but a telephone interview may be conducted when extenuating circumstances prevail.
Application Process
Students wishing to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree program in Physical Therapy will be admitted through a process involving a mutual decision between the graduate dean and the Department of Physical Therapy. Applicants must submit the application materials to the Gradate School. Contact the department for further information. The following materials must be submitted.
- An application for Admission to program from the Department of Physical Therapy. PhD Program Application (pdf file)
- An application for Admission to Graduate Study at the University of Central Arkansas. Graduate Studies Application
- Scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (Aptitude Test). See Graduate School website at http://www.uca.edu/graduateschool
- Verification (transcripts) of completion of a CAPTE accredited physical therapy curriculum (or equivalent) with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale).
Practice experience as a physical therapist is suggested. However, the Advanced Degree Admission Committee will consider applications from students having completed the requirements for the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Although applications are accepted at all times during the year, the preferred dates for receipt of applications are March 1 for summer and fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.
The PhD Degree Program Graduate Will Demonstrate:
- Skill to conduct original research, providing evidence of an understanding of research designs and the ability to formulate, plan methodologies, conduct data gathering (qualitatively and quantitatively), draw conclusions, and effectively communicate research findings;
- Commitment to engage in scholarship after graduation and to discover new knowledge and develop theoretical principles that advance the understanding of their chosen discipline;
- Breadth of knowledge of the discipline and the research literature;
- The ability to teach at beginning and advanced levels of instruction; and
- Leadership traits that guide the profession in identifying and resolving important questions and problems.
Plan of Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy
A minimum of 60 credits must be completed beyond the master’s degree. For those holding a clinical doctorate (DPT) this 60 credit minimum may be achieved by completing at least 45 credits within the PhD program at UCA (all core and research courses) and transferring up to 15 credits from previous graduate coursework.
The Program of Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy includes:
- Core requirements (33 credits)
- Focused electives (15 credits)
- Research requirements (12 credits)
- Qualifying examination
- Proposal
- Candidacy
- Dissertation
- Oral defense
- Written document submission to the Graduate School
A. 60 hours of coursework:
Core Courses (33 credits)
Through seminars and specific courses, students learn to interpret the implications of research and identify complex questions and possible answers for the profession. The core emphasizes pertinent issues for physical therapy researchers and educators as well as continuous involvement in scholarship.
- PTHY 6116 Research Seminar I
- PTHY 6216 Research Seminar II
- PTHY 7388 Lifespan Motor Development
- PTHY 7305 Scientific Basis for Motor Control and Development
- PTHY 7310 Professional Leadership in Physical Therapy
- PTHY 7315 College Teaching in Physical Therapy: Problems and Issues
- PTHY 7320 Research Methods in Physical Therapy
- PTHY 7102-7902 Dissertation (variable credit 1-9 for total of 12 credits)
Research Courses (12 credits chosen from the following)
Research courses foster the development of skills in research design and statistical analysis. Students acquire the tools essential for conducting research and effectively disseminating the findings.
- PSYC 6330 Advanced Psychological Statistics
- KPED 6316 Data Analysis
- PTHY 7316 Advanced Biomechanical and Kinesiological Analysis
- PTHY 7101-7901* Advanced Research in Physical Therapy (variable credit 1-9)
*This variable credit hour course may be repeated as needed. The student will learn to use the research tools necessary for the dissertation and professional scholarship.
Elective Courses (15 credits chosen from the following)
The elective courses foster development of breadth in student’s area of interest. The student’s committee will approve specific courses to complement the research focus. Students may not repeat for credit any course equivalent to one taken for a previous degree.
- PTHY 6301 Special Problems in Physical Therapy 3
- PTHY 7302 Foundations of Sports Physical Therapy 3
- PTHY 7304 Sports Physical Therapy: The Upper Extremity 3
- PTHY 7306 Sports Physical Therapy: The Lower Extremity 3
- PTHY 7308 Evaluation and Treatment of the Cervical Spine 3
- PTHY 7309 Evaluation and Treatment of the Lumbar Spine 3
- PTHY 7311 Developmental Anatomy 3
- PTHY 7390 Advanced Gross Anatomy 3
- PTHY 7329 Application of Physical Therapy in Geriatrics 3
- PTHY 7380 Geriatric Orthopedics 3
- PTHY 6330 Transdisciplinary Assessment of Young Children 3
- PTHY 6354 Trans. Inter. with Young Children 3
- PTHY 7360 Advanced Measurement and Assessment in Pediatrics I 3
- PTHY 7361 Advanced Measurement and Assessment in Pediatrics II 3
- PTHY 7333 Industrial Rehabilitation and Work Injury Management 3
- PTHY 7334 Aquatic Therapy 3
- PTHY 6138-6338 Directed Graduate Study (variable credit 1-3) 1-3
- PTHY 6335 Advanced Spinal Cord Injury Management 3
- PTHY 7337 Wound Management in Physical Therapy 3
(PTHY 6301 and 6338 may be repeated)
B. Qualifying Examination (Final Semester of course or semester following).
The intent of the examination is to enable the student’s committee to confirm that the student (1) has acceptable academic performance in early course work for the doctoral degree, (2) exhibits sufficient understanding and application of the basic concepts within the student’s interest area to continue pursuing a PhD degree in physical therapy, and (3) has potential to conduct research. The qualifying examination further assists the student in planning course work and reviewing, organizing, and assimilating course material into a coherent and readily accessible body of knowledge in preparation for research and scholarship. The student’s committee prepares an examination (written and oral) over course work completed at the time the student is ready to develop the dissertation proposal and initiate research. Pass or fail is determined by the student’s committee; the examination may be repeated only once.
C. Dissertation Proposal
Working with the faculty advisor and committee, the student will select a topic for research, prepare a research proposal, and successfully present the proposal to the committee. The topic of the dissertation must relate to the discipline of physical therapy. Dissertation work may begin at any time during the course of the student’s study, but approval of the dissertation topic by the advisor and dissertation committee is required. The committee will generally require successful completion of the qualifying examination and scholarly project before the dissertation proposal is formally accepted. Guidelines for the preparation of the proposal are included in the Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide available from the Graduate School. Following successful defense of the dissertation proposal, the student should submit a Petition for Admission to Candidacy to the Graduate School.
D. Candidacy
Students desiring admission to candidacy must complete B, and C above
E. Dissertation
Students must successfully conduct research, write the dissertation, and complete an oral examination (defense) of the dissertation. The Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide provides information on the elements and style of the dissertation.
F. Oral Defense
The oral defense provides an opportunity for the student to present the work to the committee formally and for the committee to indicate its acceptance or to require further work.
G. Submission to Graduate School
The defense must be successfully completed in time for the dissertation to be submitted to the office of the graduate dean at least two weeks prior to the expected date of graduation.
H. Application for Graduation
The application for graduation must be completed by the deadline set for the term in which the dissertation is expected to be completed.
I. Residence Requirements
A minimum of 3 years is required to attain the level of achievement required for completion of the Doctor of Philosophy degree. To assist in achieving the required level and to have ample opportunity to be part of the scholarly environment, the student is required to be in residence in the Department of Physical Therapy for two consecutive semesters which may be Fall and Spring or Spring and Summer. During this residency, the student is required to be registered full-time (9 credits) or part-time (6 credits) and be receiving a stipend as a research assistant for at least 10 hours/week.
J. Time Limitations
The expectation is that the full-time student allow a minimum of 3 years to complete the requirements for the attainment of the PhD and that a part-time student complete the degree in no more than 10 years and within 3 years of approval of the dissertation proposal.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
PT Department at (501) 450-3611
Kevin Garrison, PhD, PT
Chair, PhD Committee
kgarrison@uca.edu
