Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy

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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.

​​Entry Requirements  

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1.    Completed Online Application:  PLEASE NOTE, APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.PTCAS.ORG 
2. Completion of the professional statement as described on the application
3. Official transcripts from all colleges attended
   • Applicants must have completed, or will be completing, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative index of 3.0 and a “B” average in the major field by the start date of the desired term.
     • Applicants who do not meet these grade point average expectations must address them in their professional statement; please see the Professional Statement section of the admissions application for further information.
   • In addition to the completion of the bachelor’s degree, the following course equivalents are required with a grade of “B” or better:
     • 8 credits of anatomy and physiology
     • 8 credits of chemistry
     • 8 credits of physics
     • 3 credits of statistics (psychology-based preferred)
     • 6 credits of psychology (one course in developmental psychology preferred)
4. Two letters of recommendation
5. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the departmental admissions committee.

                                                                       OR

Completion of the Nazareth University undergraduate pre-professional program in good academic standing. See Nazareth University Undergraduate Catalog for specific requirements.

   
Application Deadlines (Summer Start Term only):
Apply on-line at www.ptcas.org
Deadline: October 15

 

PHYSICAL THERAPY COURSE SEQUENCE
Summer Session I, Year I
PTR 518 Human Gross Anatomy /PTR 518L	6
PTR 520 Professional Development I	3
PTR 523 Patient/Client Management I /PTR 523L	4
Fall Semester, Year I		Spring Semester, Year I
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 Semester Credits	17	Total Semester Credits	16
PTR 598 Contemporary Issues in Interprofessional Team Practice  - 1 credit first year course Half of cohort take PTR 598 in the fall semester (18 total credits); Half take the course in the spring semester (17 total credits).
Summer Session I, Year II
PTR 528 Clinical Education I  (7 weeks)	6
Total Summer Year 2 Credits	6
Fall Semester, Year II		Spring Semester, Year II
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 Semester Credits	15	Total Semester Credits	15
Summer Session I, Year III		Summer Session II, Year III
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 Summer I Credits	6	Total Summer II Credits	6
Fall Semester, Year III		Spring Semester, Year III
PTR 615 Health Promotion and Wellness	3	PTR 721 Professional Development III	2
PTR 636 Clinical Education III  (8 weeks)	6	PTR 726 Clinical Education IV  (9 weeks)	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 Semester Credits	15	Total Semester Credits	12
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS = 122