BS Degree in Health Science/DPT Degree in Physical Therapy

Mission Statement:
Consistent with the mission of Nazareth College and the mission of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program prepares physical therapists dedicated to lifelong learning, reflection, and accountability, who are grounded in intellectual, ethical, and aesthetic values.  As participants in contemporary health promotion and care, the program graduate will possess the adaptive competence, with the ability to apply the new knowledge, necessary to provide sound patient care, as well as preventive, educational, administrative, and consultative services that respect individuality. 

Philosophy: The faculty of Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program support professional autonomy for the licensed physical therapist.  The faculty believe that a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences promotes strong interpersonal and communication skills, innovation and creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking.  The professional curriculum is designed to reflect current trends in autonomous, evidence-based practice, stimulating critical inquiry.  The faculty creates an educational environment to promote the active participation of the students through self-directed learning experiences and collaboration in the teaching/learning process.  Ultimately, the faculty serve as role models in demonstrating responsibility and accountability as teachers, advocates, clinicians, scholars, consultants, and administrators.

 Goals of the Program:

• Incorporate the vision and mission of the APTA throughout the curriculum.
• Foster the core values of professionalism in the curriculum and in faculty and student activities.
• Actively 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.

* The minimum GPA requirement for students enrolled in the Physical Therapy program will be 2.75 up until the summer before their 4th year when they begin the professional phase of their program; it will then become a minimum GPA of 3.0.