Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Mission Statement:
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.  The program will prepare professionals who are committed to meeting community health needs through engagement and service. The program graduate will possess the adaptive competence necessary to provide sound patient care, as well as preventive, educational, administrative, and consultative services that respect individuality.

Philosophy: The faculty of the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program believe that a pre-professional 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 create an educational environment in which students are responsible for learning. Faculty serve as role models in demonstrating responsibility and accountability as teachers, clinicians, scholars, consultants, and administrators who are committed to service community health needs. 

 Goals of the Program:

• Incorporate the mission of Nazareth College and the American Physical Therapy Association (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 societal trends and changes for continuous improvement of curriculum and practice.
• Contribute to the accumulation of the evidence for teaching and clinical practice through faculty scholarship and faculty/student research.
• Provide experiential learning throughout the program.
• Promote faculty and student growth for the advancement of physical therapy practice.
• Engage faculty and students in service to the community for rehabilitation, health, and wellness.

Guiding Principles

1. Students are responsible for their own learning
2. Utilize the Nazareth Physical Therapy Clinics as a collaborative learning environment
3. Team-based, group activities simulate work environment, and are encouraged as useful teaching/learning experiences
4. Self and peer evaluation are essential strategies for accomplishing personal and program goals

Program Director
Jennifer Collins, P.T., M.P.A., Ed.D.

Entry Requirements  

 Note: Applicants must apply on-line at www.ptcas.org

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution is required. A 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework, with at least a 2.75 in required pre-requisite science courses is preferred.
2. In addition to completion of a bachelor’s degree, the following courses or equivalents are required prerequisites: 8 credits of anatomy and physiology; 8 credits of chemistry; 8 credits of physics; 3 credits of statistics (psychology-based preferred), and six credits of psychology (one course in developmental psychology preferred).
3. Official transcripts.
4. Two letters of recommendation.
5. Application and fee.
6. Completion of the personal-professional statement as described on the application form.
7. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the departmental admissions committee.

                                                                       OR

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

   
Application Deadlines (Summer Start Term only):
Apply on-line at www.ptcas.org
Preferred Deadline: November 1
Final deadline: December 15