Doctor of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy – DP8140

Department of Physical Therapy
Grover Center W290
Athens, OH 45701
740.593.1224
physical.therapy@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Summer only

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

The Division of Physical Therapy is dedicated to excellence and leadership in preparing future physical therapists with the knowledge, behavior, skills, and inter-professional experiences required to function as a movement specialist within the contemporary health care environment. The program imparts students and 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 and fiscal responsibility. The program generates and disseminates research and scholarship that advances the practice of physical therapy. Leading by example, we enrich our rural community through clinical outreach for at-risk and/or underserved populations.

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 25% of 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 is designed to meet the accreditation standards as well as to prepare graduates 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 curriculum 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. Clinical skill development is integrated within the didactic, laboratory, and clinical education components of the curriculum. Synthesis coursework challenges the student to evaluate and treat the medically complex patient. Advanced assessment and treatment skills in multiple areas of practice are taught in elective courses offered during the final didactic term. The program emphasizes the development of professional leadership and community responsibilitythrough several service-learning activities. 

During the course of the curriculum, students participate in 36 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences or practicums. 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.

This is a full-time program requiring nine semesters to complete in three full calendar years.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• integrate evaluative findings to develop physical therapy diagnoses.
• demonstrate competence in physical therapy intervention planning as appropriate to impairments.
• analyze physical therapy research as it pertains to assessment and intervention.
• demonstrate effective and culturally sensitive communication as an educator and communicator with patients and with other health care professionals.
• demonstrate entry-level attainment of the core values for the profession.

Opportunities for Graduates

Over the past 10 years, 100% of our graduates who wanted jobs acquired one in physical therapy within 6 months of graduating from the program.

Further Information

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

Admission Requirements:

• A baccalaureate 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)
  • Two letters of recommendatiom: Letters can be from a professor, employer, physical therapist, etc. One reference should comment on the applicant’s academic abilities, such as intellectual promise, quality of writing, creative thought, and productive discussion, while the other should address the applicant’s strength of character, with emphasis on the degree of maturity, leadership, integrity, initiative, discipline, and concern for others. 

• While observation hours are not required for application, OHIO recommends applicants complete 40 observation hours across at least 2 different settings. 

• The GRE is no longer required for application to Ohio University. 

• 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
Exercise physiology	One course
Medical terminology	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.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete at least 142 semester credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and no grade below a “C.”