Physical Therapy

Chairperson, Professor and Director of the Health Science and Physical Therapy Program: Nancy T. Farina, EdD, PT
Co-Director: Jennifer Collins, EdD, PT; Associate Professor: Bloss, M.P.H./P.T.; Assistant Professors: Chau, Ph.D., P.T., Love, M.S., P.T., Miller, D.C./P.T. and Vore, M.S., P.T.

B.S. Degree in Health Science/M.S. Degree in Physical Therapy

The B.S. degree in Health Science is an interdisciplinary program with requirements from Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Mathematics and Physics and provides students with an understanding of health issues from scientific and cultural perspectives. The M.S. degree in Physical Therapy builds on the Health Science degree. The approved program, developed in consultation with the medical community and physical therapy educators in the upstate New York area, provides students with a sound foundation in general education and basic sciences and with the necessary pre-professional and professional education in physical therapy. The program combines course work and clinical experience where the students practice their skills under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.

The Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commision on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Admission Requirements
The required preparation for freshman admission includes four years of high school English and mathematics (Pre Calculus or calculus preferred); three years of Social Studies; three years of Science with laboratories; four years including Physics is preferred; three years of a foreign language. In addition candidates are required to submit scores from the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT).

Minimum requirements for consideration as a physical therapy major include: completion of a college preparatory program including those courses listed above: a high school academic average of 85% or better; SAT combined scores of 1100 or better or an ACT composite of 24 or greater; final math science averages of 85% or greater including final examinations; high level of motivation, demonstrated leadership and community service. While primary consideration is given to academic achievement and potential for collegiate success, talent in art, drama, music, or co-curricular activities enhances a student’s application. Verification of 80 hours of clinical observation with at least two different therapists in a minimum of two separate facilities is required. A minimum of 10 hours must be completed prior to entering the program’s first year of study. (See Admissions p.14 for information regarding specific application procedures for Early Decision or Regular Admission.)

Students in the Health Science/Physical Therapy program must maintain an overall cumulative gpa of 2.75. in years one and two and a 3.0 in their third and subsequent years. They must maintain a minimum gpa of 2.5 in the natural science and mathematics courses.