CATALOG - University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

TRANSITIONAL DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (DPT) – Effective April1, 2012Mission StatementThe mission of the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is to develop leaders in physical therapypatient examination, evaluation, intervention, and case management. Special focus is placed on thefoundational sciences of anatomy and biomechanics, while enhancing the clinical reasoning and treatmentskills of the student. Because this program is designed for physical therapists that work in clinical practice, itis expected that students will bring about positive improvements to the workplace as they progress throughthe program. This program will help to promote the profession by developing experiences that address thecritical issues found in the delivery of health care today.Program ObjectivesThrough completion of this program, students will:• Be prepared, by academic knowledge to practice in an emerging arena of autonomous practice bythinking logically, critically, creatively, and independently.• Develop leadership skills in an area of clinical practice that will promote the profession of PT and thepatients who receive care.• Display professional skills such as life-long learning, ethical behaviors and interdisciplinarycollaboration within professional practice.• Develop effective communication skills in physical therapy practice in order to advance professional goals.• Apply depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills in selected areas of theory and clinical techniquesas it relates to patient care and supported by evidence based practice.This program is designed for practitioners who will also assume leadership roles in the profession ofphysical therapy. The program reinforces clinical excellence. A variety of course assignments such asmultiple choice tests, short essay and problem-solving exercises are used to test mastery of the learningobjectives. A summary or "capstone" project consisting of a case report or literature review integratescontent knowledge across program coursework. A mentored clinical residency may also be completed.Admission RequirementsAdmission to the program is open to all physical therapists who entered the profession with a bachelor’sdegree or master’s in physical therapy from an accredited institution. It is expected that all applicants arelicensed or eligible for licensure in the United States of America. If the student plans to complete a ClinicalResidency, he/she must be a licensed physical therapist in the state where the residency is located. For moredetails on admission, see the Admissions to the University section of this Catalog.Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher learning must be submitted directly to theUniversity in accordance with the Application for Admission instructions.International Students Applying for AdmissionForeign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in university courses and/ordegree programs can be considered for admission. To be considered for admission to the transitional DPTprogram, the following criteria will apply:• The candidate must be a graduate of a program in a country that is a member of the WorldConfederation of Physical Therapy.• Submit transcripts and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the NationalAssociation of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a levelequivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy in the United States. Physical therapistswho graduated from a physiotherapy program that is accredited by Physiotherapy Education72