doctor of physical therapy curriculum

Accreditation

The programs of study in physical therapy are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; accreditation@apta.org; 1-703-684-2782 or 1-703-706-3245.
 

Program Options

The Physical Therapy program offers two options, Traditional and Weekend College (WEC). The Traditional program is a six-year program with a bachelor’s degree being received at the end of the fourth year and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree received after the sixth year. The Weekend College program is designed for individuals who are licensed physical therapist assistants with completed baccalaureate degrees. After successful completion of less than three years of graduate study, students in the WEC program also receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
 

Mission and Goals of the Program

The mission of the physical therapy programs at The University of Findlay is to prepare ethical, entry-level practitioners who are competent within and sensitive to the dynamic health care environment as it relates to the prevention and alleviation of movement dysfunction.
 

Mission of the Traditional Physical Therapy Program

The mission of the Traditional Physical Therapy program is to provide entry-level physical therapist education to traditional students within a supportive, student-centered environment. The curriculum emphasizes lifelong learning, critical thinking, the Nagi Disablement Model and service to the community.
 
Upon completion of the Traditional Physical Therapy program at The University of Findlay, the graduate will be prepared to:
I. Integrate theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills in order to engage in the autonomous practice of physical therapy at the entry level.
II. Work as a generalist practitioner with the ability to practice in a variety of settings, geographical locations and roles.
III. Engage in self-motivated, lifelong learning.
IV. Exhibit professional behaviors that include ethical conduct, professionalism, critical thinking and problem solving, safe performance, self-development and effective communication.
V. Demonstrate an awareness of the value of service to the profession and to the community.
VI. Demonstrate an awareness of individual and cultural differences and psychosocial factors, which may affect human function and quality of life across the lifespan.
VII. Use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in clinical practice and research.
 

Admission Requirements of the Traditional Physical Therapy Program

Students may apply for admission to the program in their third year of undergraduate work. Prior to admission, they must have completed all of the University general education requirements and competencies plus the following prerequisites: HEPR 150, 220; PSYC 100, 233; PSYC 207, 208 or 210. Six of the following prerequisites, not including labs, should be completed before making application to the program: HPE 308; PHED 336; BIOL 322, 322L, 323, 323L; CHEM 130, 130L, 131, 131L; MATH 123; PHYS 250, 250L, 251, 251L. Descriptions of these courses can be found in The University of Findlay undergraduate catalog. Students must receive a grade of “C” or better in all prerequisite courses. For students with baccalaureate degrees, HEPR 150, the liberal arts prerequisites and the competencies are waived.
 
In addition, the following admission criteria must be met:
1. Minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, and a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0.
2. Complete a total of 100 hours of observation in two different physical therapy settings, with a minimum of 20 hours in each setting.
3. Completion of the Physical Therapy Central Application Service (PTCAS) which includes Traditional program supplemental application materials.
4. Submit official transcripts, which can be in the form of attested credentials from a University-recognized document verification agency, of all college-level work.
 
The following items are also considered when determining a student’s admission status:
1. Recommendations
2. GRE scores
3. Experience in the field, community and professional involvement.
 
Students whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from American universities must meet the previously listed admissions conditions, plus:
1. Have a verified TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) minimum total score of 89 with 26 or better in speaking and 24 or better in writing or a verified International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic score with a minimum overall band score of 7.0. Students not supplying an IELTS score are required to test in the Intensive English Language Program, and if necessary, complete coursework in English.
2. Provide an affidavit of financial support (original), if not an American citizen or permanent resident.
 

Degree Requirements of the Traditional Physical Therapy Program

In the Traditional Physical Therapy program, students take three years of prerequisites, then three years of professional study, for a total of six years. At the end of the fourth year, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences-pre-physical therapy emphasis. After successful completion of the sixth year, students receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
 
For the Traditional program, a major in health science-pre-physical therapy emphasis consists of HEPR 150, 220; HPE 308; PHED 336; BIOL 322, 322L, 323, 323L; CHEM 130 or 140, 130L or 140L, 131 or 141, 131L or 141L; MATH 123; PHYS 250, 250L, 251, 251L; PSYC 100, 233; PSYC 207, 208 or 210. The bachelor’s degree will be awarded after the first year of graduate-level course work.
 
The Traditional program students will continue on and complete a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). The DPT requirements include PHTH 520, 522, 526, 532, 543, 545, 547, 551, 557, 559, 561, 563, 564, 565, 573, 575, 579, 581, 640, 641, 643, 645, 661, 665, 667, 669, 671, 675, 685, 687, 723, 725, 727, 731, 735, 739, 745; PHTH 616, 636 and 656 or PHTH 628, 648 and 658; HEPR 505, 507, 549.
 

Mission of the Weekend College Physical Therapy Program

The mission of the Weekend College Physical Therapy program is to provide an innovative means of providing entry-level physical therapist education to individuals with past education and practice experience as physical therapist assistants. The curriculum emphasizes lifelong learning, critical thinking, an interdisciplinary approach, the Nagi Disablement Model and the principles of androgogy.
 
Upon completion of the Weekend College Physical Therapy program at The University of Findlay, the graduate will be prepared to:
I. Practice as a well-qualified, ethical professional who is able to integrate theoretical foundations with clinical reasoning skills and build upon his or her experiences in order to engage in autonomous practice.
II. Work as a generalist practitioner with the ability to practice in a variety of settings, geographical locations and roles.
III. Demonstrate a dedication to self-motivated, lifelong learning.
 

Admission Requirements of the Weekend College Physical Therapy Program

Students wishing to apply for admission to the Weekend College Physical Therapy program must have completed the following prerequisite courses: BIOL 322, 322L, 323, 323L; PHYS 250, 250L, 251, 251L; CHEM 130, 130L, 131, 131L; MATH 123. Descriptions of these courses can be found in The University of Findlay undergraduate catalog. Students must receive a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses. Five of the seven prerequisite courses should be completed before making application to the program.
 
In addition, the following admission criteria must be met:
1. Minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum science GPA of 3.0. This includes classes from all institutions attended.
2. Evidence of having graduated from an accredited PTA program (transcripts may serve as evidence).
3. Possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, with the possible exception of first- professional doctorate-degree holders, specifically when no baccalaureate degree was offered (e.g., PharmD, etc.).
4. Minimum of one year of work experience as a PTA (experience as determined by August 1st of the year of application).
5. Completion of the Weekend College Physical Therapy program application materials including the submission of official transcripts of all college-level work.
 
The following items are also considered when determining a student’s admission status:
1. Recommendations
2. Experience in the field, community and professional involvement.
 
Students whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from American universities must meet the previously listed admissions conditions, plus:
1. Have a verified TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) minimum total score of 89 with 26 or better in speaking and 24 or better in writing or a verified International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic score with a minimum overall band score of 7.0. Students not supplying an IELTS score are required to test in the Intensive English Language Program, and if necessary, complete coursework in English.
2. Provide an affidavit of financial support (original), if not an American citizen or permanent resident.
 

Degree Requirements of the Weekend College Physical Therapy Program

In the Weekend College (WEC) program, the Doctor of Physical Therapy requirements include PHTH 504, 514, 520, 522, 526, 528, 532, 545, 551, 557, 560, 561, 563, 564, 565, 573, 602, 604, 640, 643, 646, 660, 669, 671, 675, 681, 687, 720, 723, 726, 730, 731, 739; PHTH 616, 636 and 656 or PHTH 628, 648 and 658; HEPR 505, 507, 549.

No more than two courses with a grade of “C+,” “C” or “C-” can be used to meet graduation requirements.

The Physical Therapy program reserves the right to make program and admission requirement changes without giving prior notice.