CATALOG - University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

previous coursework and interest area. The DPT degree uses a combination seminar/distance education andonline courses.The transitional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree is for those individuals with either abachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy. Once again there are a variety of ways that thisdegree may be earned by attending seminars or through online learning.The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree is for health care providers with either a master’s or a clinicaldoctorate degree. The EdD degree is offered in an online format and includes two weekend clinicalresidencies.The Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree is for physical and occupational therapists with either amaster’s or a clinical doctorate degree. The DHSc degree is offered in several formats. Students take part indesigning a curriculum that is online, seminar coursework plus online, and a combination of both types ofcoursework and online format and includes two weekend doctoral residency courses.History of the UniversityStanley V. Paris, PT, Ph.D., in 1966 began teaching continuing professional education courses to physicaltherapists. These courses carry continuing education units (CEUs) which are helpful in both maintaining anddeveloping professional competency and, in an increasing number of states, for maintaining professionallicensure.In 1979, the University formally known as the Institute of Graduate Health Sciences was founded. The Stateof Georgia granted authority to offer a clinically-based post-professional (advanced) Master of Science inPhysical Therapy (MScPT) degree. Thus, the Institute became the first independent proprietary school inphysical therapy able to confer a graduate degree.In 1981, the Institute began a certification process in manual therapy wherein candidates, after taking a seriesof courses, were examined in their written, oral and practical abilities. Successful candidates were awarded aCertification of Competency, which is now a necessary step to attaining our clinically oriented postprofessional(advanced) degrees. There are now four certifications; Manual Therapy, Sports PhysicalTherapy, Primary Care and Cranio-mandibular, Head, Neck and Facial Pain.In 1991, the Institute moved to St. Augustine, Florida, and became established at the Flagler Health Parkcampus. Soon thereafter, the Institute achieved accreditation for its MScPT degree by distance educationfrom the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The United States Department of Education liststhe independent Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council as a nationallyrecognized accrediting agency. The Accrediting Commission is also a recognized member of the Council forHigher Education Accreditation (CHEA).In 1992, the Institute started an advanced standing (post-professional) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)program. This was a nationwide program that enabled therapists to study in a selected clinical area. The firststudent graduated from this program in the spring of 1995. (It was replaced in the year 2000 by the Doctor ofHealth Sciences (DHSc) degree.)In 1994, the Institute commenced a first professional degree in physical therapy - the Master of PhysicalTherapy (MPT) - for those individuals who had achieved a baccalaureate degree with the necessaryprerequisite natural and social science courses. This MPT degree was the first to be offered by anindependent and proprietary school of physical therapy. This program was accredited by CAPTE in October1996 and reaccredited in 2001.3