Mar 28, 2024  
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2015-2017 
    
Ohio University Graduate Catalog 2015-2017 [Archived Catalog]

Physical Therapy - DPT


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Degree Title: Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program Name and Number: Physical Therapy - DP8140

Department/Unit: School of Rehabilitation & Communication Sciences

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Program Mission: The Division of Physical Therapy is dedicated to excellence and leadership in preparing future physical therapists with the knowledge, behavior, and skills required to function within the diverse roles of the contemporary health care environment. We provide students (entry-level and post-professional residents) with the foundation to become expert clinicians through rigorous preparation built upon evidence-based practice principles, critical thinking, altruism, integrity, ethical conduct, and professional responsibility. Faculty, students, and residents engage in the generation and dissemination of research and scholarship that advances the practice of physical therapy. We strive to enrich the community through clinical outreach.

Program Learning Objectives:

  • The student will assume the role of a competent clinician in the contemporary health care environment.
  • The student will utilize problem solving during patient care.
  • The student will be a critical thinker as demonstrated by participation in evidence-based practice and research.
  • The student will participate in life-long learning and professionalism.
  • The student will be an educator and a communicator in the contemporary health care environment.
  • The student will exhibit professional behaviors consistent with the standards of contemporary physical therapy practice.
  • Students will demonstrate the core values for the profession in both the didactic and clinical education phases of the curriculum.

Program Overview: Based on the faculty’s extensive clinical expertise and national prominence in research as well as the exceptional clinical performance of our students and graduates, the Division of Physical Therapy is ranked among the top 60 physical therapy programs in the most recent US News and World Report survey.

In addition, the Division is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

The curriculum was designed to meet the accreditation standards as well as to prepare the graduate for contemporary practice. Fundamental to this preparation is the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills utilizing evidence-based practice for optimal patient care. The faculty designed a hybrid curriculum that includes elements of traditional, system based, and problem solving approaches. There is an intentional progression from simpler to more complex concepts/problems that require synthesis from all areas of the curriculum. By completion of the curriculum, students will gain the skills necessary for independent learning. Synthesis courses challenge the student to evaluate and treat the medically complex patient. Advanced assessment and treatment skills are taught in balance and vestibular techniques as well as in manual therapy (joint manipulation). The program emphasizes the development of professional leadership and community responsibility (service learning) through the development of a portfolio.  Clinical experience is integrated within the didactic and laboratory components throughout the program of study.

Students participate in 36 weeks of full time clinical practicums during the course of the curriculum. The Division has clinical education agreements with medical centers, rehabilitation and outpatient facilities, general acute care hospitals and specialty clinics throughout the United States. In addition, a study abroad opportunity in Botswana is available.

Opportunities for Graduates: Over the past 10 years, 100% of our graduates who wanted jobs acquired one in physical therapy within 3 months of graduating from the program.

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/chsp/rcs/pt/

Graduation Requirements: The student will complete 138 semester credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A capstone project is a mandatory component of this degree and will be performed under faculty mentorship during the course of the program.

Admission Requirements:

  • A bachelors degree with the following conditions:
    • A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.  
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 for the prerequisite courses (see below).
    • 40 hours of PT volunteer/observation
    • 3 Letters of Recommendation from 2 different Physical Therapists and 1 college professor
    • Prerequisite courses are below. For specifics on acceptable courses, please see the Program website.
      • Statistics: one course
      • Developmental/child psychology: one course
      • General psychology: one course
      • Physics: two semester or three quarter courses: including laboratory
      • Chemistry: two semester or three quarter courses: including laboratory
      • Biology: two semester or three quarter courses: including laboratory
      • Human anatomy: one course including laboratory
      • Human or animal physiology: one course including laboratory
      • Exercise physiology: one course

Up-to-date prerequisite information can be found on the Program’s website listed above.

  • Application to the Program is through a centralized application service found at www.PTCAS.org.

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