Expand the section navigation mobile menu
Physical therapy students manipulating patients' arms.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists fill a critical role in preventative care, rehabilitation and treatment for patients who have injuries, illnesses or chronic conditions. As a physical therapist, you will examine, evaluate, diagnose, plan and provide treatment for persons of all ages and abilities who have disabilities or changes in physical function resulting from injury, disease or other causes.

Contact Us

Sara Arena, DSc.P.T., P.T.
Director and Professor
[email protected] 

We offer physical therapy programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels in the Department of Human Movement Science. Explore our options below.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Oakland University’s outstanding Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares you for licensure and entry into the physical therapy profession. We offer practicum, research and hands-on clinical experiences in our program to help you develop the skills necessary to work with all abilities and ages to improve their quality of life. Visit the DPT page to learn more.

Pre-physical Therapy

If you are interested in applying to a graduate program in physical therapy, the pre-physical therapy concentration within the Bachelor of Science in exercise science is a great choice for you. You will take introductory courses related to pre-physical therapy as well as a broad range of classes to provide you with a generalized health science education. Learn more at the pre-physical therapy page.

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science

Become a leader in your field with a Ph.D. in Human Movement Science (HMS). Designed for physical therapists, exercise scientists and movement science professionals, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to produce relevant human movement science research. Visit the Ph.D. in HMS page to learn more.

Oncology Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate

Improve people’s lives after cancer treatment with the graduate certificate in oncology rehabilitation. Offered internationally and fully online, this one-of-a-kind certificate provides advanced theoretical and psychomotor training for rehabilitation clinicians interested in specializing in the rapidly-growing field of oncology rehabilitation. Visit the oncology rehabilitation page to learn more.

Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Graduate Certificate

If you are a physical therapist, elevate your clinical practice skills with the orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT) graduate certificate. You will gain advanced theoretical and clinical training with an emphasis on differential diagnosis and manual therapy procedures. Visit the OMPT page to learn more.

Teaching and Learning for Health Sciences Graduate Certificate

Gain an in-depth understanding of the theoretical background of the principles of teaching and learning used in all aspects of rehabilitation with the graduate certificate in teaching and learning for health sciences. You will develop advanced skills in teaching methodology and educational material development, and complete a teaching practicum. Visit the teaching and learning for health sciences page for more information.

Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy

Become a better physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapists or other health care professional with the Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy continuing education program at Oakland University. You will gain training in examining and intervening in a variety of musculoskeletal systems. Learn more at the Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy page.

All Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy courses are on hold for the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 semesters while the program is undergoing exciting updates. Courses will be available again in Fall 2025. Thank you for understanding, and we look forward to seeing you next year.

School of Health Sciences

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369


Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]