B.S. Degree in Health Science/D.P.T. Degree in Physical Therapy

Mission Statement
The Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program prepares compassionate professionals who are life-long learners and critical inquirers that practice collaboratively and engage with a changing world.

Philosophy
The faculty of the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program believes that the integration of liberal arts and professional study provides a strong foundation for educating contemporary physical therapists.  The professional curriculum prepares students to practice in an autonomous, collaborative, value-based environment.  Faculty serve as role models in demonstrating responsibility and accountability as teachers, clinicians, and scholars, as well as fostering an educational experience where students are responsible for their learning.

The department’s goals are that the program will:

• Incorporate the missions of Nazareth College, School of Health and Human Services, and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) throughout the curriculum.
• Foster the core values of professionalism in the curriculum, as well as in faculty and student activities.
• Promote opportunities for faculty and student collaboration with local, regional, and national organizations.
• Respond to changes in the health care and educational environments in a timely and thoughtful manner for continuous curricular improvement.
• Facilitate adult learning in a student-centered curriculum.
• Provide experiential learning opportunities in a variety of settings.
• Utilize the Nazareth Physical Therapy Clinics as a collaborative learning environment.
• Contribute to the accumulation of the evidence for teaching and clinical practice through faculty scholarship and faculty/student research.
• Facilitate faculty and student professional development for maximized career opportunities.

GPA Requirement
During the pre-professional phase (undergraduate years one through three), students are required to maintain a 2.75 GPA in required science courses, and a 3.0 overall GPA. During the professional phase of the program (graduate years one through three), students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Refer to departmental handbook and procedures for additional grading requirements.