Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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


Mission:
The Nazareth University Physical Therapy program prepares life-long learners and critical inquirers that are compassionate, equity-minded individuals who practice collaboratively and promote community wellness in pursuit of professional excellence.

Vision:
The Nazareth University Physical Therapy program aspires to be a leader in interprofessional, experiential learning that empowers future professionals to transform communities and the delivery of health care.

Philosophy:
The faculty of the Nazareth University 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, equity-minded, collaborative, and 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.

Goals of the Program

  1. Students and faculty members’ behaviors will reflect the mission, vision, and goals of Nazareth University and the Department of Physical Therapy throughout the curriculum of the program.

  2. Faculty, students, and graduates, will demonstrate professional conduct that reflects the core values and code of ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

  3. Faculty and students will approach others with humility, and engage in a manner that celebrates individual differences and promotes equitable access and outcomes.

  4. Students will display preparedness for full-time clinical education experiences in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains.

  5. Faculty and students will engage in service to the community for rehabilitation, health, and wellness, in collaboration with local, regional, or national organizations.

  6. Faculty and students will collaborate in scholarly inquiry that advances evidence in physical therapy.

  7. Students will develop the skills necessary to become self-regulating lifelong learners who participate in professional development activities. 

  8. Faculty will actively engage in professional development to promote the continual improvement of the program curriculum, physical therapy practice, and society.

  9. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to promote the autonomy and well-being of clients through effective education and collaborative practice. 

  10. Upon graduation, students will demonstrate competence for entry-level practice.

GPA Requirement
During the pre-professional phase (undergraduate years one through three), students are required to maintain a 3.0/4.0 GPA in required science courses, and a 3.0/4.0 overall GPA. During the professional phase of the program (graduate years one through three), students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher. Refer to the departmental handbook and procedures for additional grading requirements.

Science Course Requirements
From the point of entry as a freshman into the 3+3 DPT program, all remaining science course requirements must be completed at Nazareth University. If there are extenuating circumstances that result in an inability to meet this requirement, students may petition the Physical Therapy Department for an exception.

Minor Requirement
A required component of the BS degree in Health Sciences is the declaration of a minor. Physical Therapy majors have the option to choose one of four minors that aligns with their interests (Developing Child & Families, Psychology, Public Health, Social Welfare). Some minors have a limited capacity to accept students in each cohort. Following the sample program is a description of the minors available, required courses, and recommended timeline. Students are placed in the minor on a first-come-first serve basis with your deposit. If you do not choose a minor, you will be automatically placed in the Psychology minor.

Acceleration into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
The freshman entry into the 3 (undergraduate) + 3 (graduate) program is an accelerated approach to obtaining the DPT degree. Therefore, it is expected that students accepted into the 3+3 program will remain with their initial cohort upon admittance to the program throughout their education at Nazareth University. If a student is on track to meet all academic requirements and professional standards early, they may formally petition the department requesting acceleration into the graduate phase of the program.

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Required Courses for BS Degree in Health Science/DPT Degree in Physical Therapy


Health Sciences/Physical Therapy Requirements


Additional Requirements


Sample Six-Year Program


Sample Program, UG/GR Program Leading to Doctor of Physical Therapy
Important Notes:
  • This sample program excludes listing of specific course requirements for each of the four Minor options
  • See subsequent section for available Minors, including requirements and timelines
  • Tracking requirements/timelines for each minor is crucial, as minors vary in terms of course sequencing and offering cycles
  • PT Department maintains complete course plans specific to each available Minor
  • This is a suggested curriculum sequence and courses may be taken in a different sequence with approval from your advisor.
UG YEAR I, FALL UG YEAR I, SPRING
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
ENGW 101 Exposition   3 PSY.Q 110 Introduction to Psychological Science   3
BIO.Q 103 Biological Systems I /BIO.Q 103L    4 Minor Coursework  3
CHM.Q 140 General Chemistry: Molecules, Matter And Mayhem /CHM.Q 140L   4 CHM 221 Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry /CHM 221L    4
FYS course taken with ACS 101 3 PTU 101 Introduction to Physical Therapy   1
TOTAL CREDITS 15 TOTAL CREDITS 14
       
UG YEAR II, FALL UG YEAR II, SPRING
PHL.Q 101 Philosophical Inquiry  (PEQ) 3 Literature PEQ 3
Minor Coursework 3 Visual & Performing Arts PEQ 3
PHY.Q 207 Introductory Physics I with Integrated Laboratory /PHY.Q 203L   4 RES.Q 101 Exploring the World’s Religions  (PEQ) 3
Math PEQ  3 History PEQ 3
Developmental PSY (choose one):
PSY 221 Development I: Infancy and Childhood   
PSY 224 Adolescence and Early Adulthood   
PSY 226 Adulthood and Late Life  
* PSY 353 Principles of Psychological Interventions  
* PSY 354 Issues in Aging   
 
3 PHY 208 Introductory Physics II With Integrated Lab /PHY 204L   4
TOTAL CREDITS 16 TOTAL CREDITS 16
       
UG YEAR III , FALL UG YEAR III , SPRING
BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I /BIO 210L   4 BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology II /BIO 211L   4
Integrative Studies Elective (IS) 3 Integrative Studies Elective/DEIB designated course 3

Ethics course - take one of the following courses:
BLDR 410 Leadership and Ethics 
PHL 210 Ethics 
PHL 233 Ethics, Health and Wellness  
* PHL 391 Biomedical Ethics  
RES 391 Biomedical Ethics 

 
3 PTU 304 Professional Development I   3
PSY 200 Statistics and Research Methods for Clinical Practice   3 CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
Minor Coursework 3 Minor Coursework 3-6
TOTAL CREDITS 16 TOTAL CREDITS 13-16
       
GRADUATE LEVEL COURSEWORK BEGINS
GR YEAR I, SUMMER A  
PTR 518 Human Gross Anatomy /PTR 518L   6    
PTR 523 Patient/Client Management I /PTR 523L   4    
TOTAL CREDITS 10    
       
GR YEAR I, FALL GR YEAR I, SPRING
PTR 511 Kinesiology /PTR 511L      4 PTR 514 Exercise Science /PTR 514L   3
PTR 512 Neuroscience /PTR 512L   4 PTR 516 Applied Neuroscience   3
PTR 513 Pathophysiology   3 PTR 519 Integrated Clinical Education Experience II   1
PTR 515 Evidence in Clinical Practice   1 PTR 522 Professional Development II   2
PTR 517 Integrated Clinical Education Experience I   1 PTR 525 Patient/Client Management III /PTR 525L   4
PTR 524 Patient/Client Management II /PTR 524L   4 PTR 628 Differential Diagnosis/Medical Imaging /PTR 628L   3
TOTAL CREDITS 17-18 TOTAL CREDITS 16-17

PTR 598 Contemporary Issues in Interprofessional Team Practice - 1 credit first year course
Half of cohort take PTR 598 in the fall semester (17 total credits);
Half take the course in the spring semester (17 total credits).

       
GR YEAR II, SUMMER A    
PTR 528 Clinical Education I   6    
       
GR YEAR II, FALL GR YEAR II, SPRING
PTR 617 Integrated Clinical Education Experience III       2 PTR 619 Integrated Clinical Education Experience IV       2
PTR 626 Cardiopulmonary Management /PTR 626L   4 PTR 629 Musculoskeletal Management II /PTR 629L   4
PTR 627 Musculoskeletal Management I /PTR 627L   4 PTR 632 Management of Clients With Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Integumentary Conditions /PTR 632L   4
PTR 650 Research I /PTR 650L   1 PTR 654 Research II /PTR 654L   1
PTR 659 Neuromuscular Management /PTR 659L   4 PTR 660 Clincal Management of Pediatric Clients /PTR 660L   4
TOTAL CREDITS 15 TOTAL CREDITS 15
       
GR YEAR III, SUMMER A GR YEAR III, SUMMER B
PTR 621 Clinical Management of Older Adults     3 PTR 635 Clinical Education II   6
PTR 661 Research III /PTR 661L   1    
PTR 712 Psychosocial Considerations in PT Practice   2    
TOTAL CREDITS 6    
       
GR YEAR III, FALL GR YEAR III, SPRING
PTR 615 Health Promotion and Wellness       3 PTR 721 Professional Development III      2
PTR 636 Clinical Education III   6 PTR 726 Clinical Education IV   6
PTR 710 Principles of Business and Administration in Physical Therapy   3 PTR 730 Selected Topics in Physical Therapy   3
PTR 725 Integrated Clinical Educational Experience V   2 PTR 761 Research V /PTR 761L   1
PTR 760 Research IV /PTR 760L   1    
TOTAL CREDITS 15   12

 

Developing Child & Families Minor


The Developing Child and Families minor enhances students’ awareness while preparing for future interprofessional work with young children (0-8 years of age) and their families in diverse times. The program provides multicultural perspectives on whole-child development as well as principles and practices in programs, services, and supports designed for young children and their families. Beyond refining and enhancing competencies to work with young children, the Developing Child and Families minor also reinforce the importance of service to one’s community through the intentional integration of service-learning in the capstone class.

The Developing Child and Families minor integrates interprofessional courses to develop a foundation of knowledge for those interested in working with children 0-8 years and their families. Instructional delivery is both lecture-based and service-learning.

This minor is best suited for a physical therapy student interested in working with children who wish to have a deeper understanding of current issues and challenges in early childhood care, programming, and education from a multicultural and interprofessional context. Service-learning components of the minor will provide opportunities to work with children, families, and providers prior to discipline-specific physical therapy education.

Developing Child & Families Minor Requirements
See department for full three-year course plan which includes required DCF Minor coursework. 

Psychology Minor


Human interaction is a huge part of a career in physical therapy. A minor in Psychology can prepare students to excel in such areas by learning the fundamentals of how humans think, feel and act thus improving the effectiveness of their interactions both personally and professionally.

Coursework provides knowledge to effectively learn and to communicate with others through reflection and a deeper understanding of motivation and behavior.  Applying psychological principles to understand and improve your professional relationships, how you work with others, and developing empathy enhances your discipline-specific physical therapy education. 

This minor is best suited for a physical therapy student interested in learning more about how people think and make decisions to foster meaningful relationships. 

If students are interested in working with older adults, it is encouraged that they have a psychology major with a second minor in Gerontology. The gerontology minor at Nazareth is an immersive, experience-based program designed to prepare you for graduate work in aging and careers working with older adults. Students learn both with, and from, elders and professionals in the Rochester Community through many collaborations and exchanges with various senior living communities and aging-service providers.

Psychology Minor Requirements
See department for full three-year course plan which includes required PSY Minor coursework. 

Public Health Minor


The COVID-19 pandemic has foregrounded how important public health is for the successful functioning of society. Protecting the public’s health requires us to address challenges that are influenced as much by individual and social behavior as they are by the sciences. Biology, the environment, social and political systems, and technology intersect to describe the methods of protecting the health and well-being of the population. Public health minors are engaged advocates for creating a healthier world; they are physical and social scientists of public health.

A public health minor prepares students to understand and work towards solutions to COVID, it also is foundational to addressing everyday health and health-related inequalities in society. The courses provide students with a strong literacy in public health and the foundation for a physical therapy coursework to understand and address many other public health challenges facing society today. Understanding how local, regional, national, and international issues shape knowledge systems and social practices around health and well-being is critical for physical therapists to become compassionate professionals who are life-long learners and critical inquirers that practice collaboratively and engage with a changing world.  

This minor is best suited for students who want to enhance their physical therapy education with a deeper understanding of health-related inequities and the ideal of service to their communities.

Public Health Minor Requirements
See department for full three-year course plan which includes required PBH Minor coursework

Social Welfare Minor


The social welfare minor at Nazareth College provides students with an understanding of the social welfare system in the United States, the values behind it, and the social issues facing individuals, families, groups, and communities. The minor facilitates exploration of poverty, trauma, human rights, substance abuse, and addiction. Students have the opportunity to explore the connection between physical and mental health from a holistic perspective. Coursework is designed with an interdisciplinary focus, which allows students to understand the role of different professionals in the healthcare system and learn how to work collaboratively with peers. Knowledge of the barriers and protective factors of underserved populations will develop future health care providers that understand the unique challenges of underserved populations and deepen the student’s understanding of civic engagement and service.

This minor is best suited for physical therapy students interested in understanding the impact of an individual’s life experience to become a more compassionate and informed therapist.

Social Welfare Minor Requirements
See department for full three-year course plan which includes required Social Welfare Minor coursework. 

Required Courses

Electives - students complete 4 courses from the following: 

Courses highly relevant to PT majors:

Additional elective course options: