Program Overview

Ph.D. in Physical Therapy

The Ph.D. in Physical Therapy program at the Miller School of Medicine is designed to provide students with advanced research training and education in the field of physical therapy. Students work closely with a faculty mentor from their first days in the program, and the admission process begins with applicants identifying a possible faculty mentor from the Ph.D. faculty profiles.

Ph.D. Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• An entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy
• An advanced master's degree with a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy
• A bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy
• Official transcripts of all college work
• Three completed recommendation forms with at least one form completed by a physical therapist
• A letter indicating career goals and objectives
• Licensure, or eligibility for licensure, as a physical therapist in the State of Florida (must be licensed within 1 year of admission)
• GRE, with a minimum of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative section (on GRE exams taken prior to the July 31 change)
• International applicants must have all transcripts evaluated by the University of Miami’s Office of International Admissions

Application Process

The application process involves the following steps:

• Identify a possible faculty mentor from the Ph.D. faculty profiles
• Contact the faculty member to determine if they are willing to consider accepting a new PhD student
• Submit all required application materials for review by the full Ph.D. committee
• If accepted, the faculty member who agreed to supervise the student will serve as the chair of the student’s supervisory committee

Stipend and Tuition Support

Stipend and tuition support is potentially available for qualified applicants.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is January 1.

Faculty

The following faculty members can supervise a Ph.D. student:

• Lawrence P. Cahalin, Ph.D., PT, CCS
• Ira M. Fiebert, Ph.D., PT
• Robert S. Gailey, Ph.D., PT
• Joyce Gomes-Osman, Ph.D., PT
• Neva Kirk-Sanchez, Ph.D., PT
• Michele A. Raya, Ph.D., PT, ATC, SCS
• Kathryn E. Roach, Ph.D., PT

Research Areas

The research areas of the faculty are diverse, reflecting the clinical and scientific emphasis areas of the faculty. Please refer to the faculty section for specifics.