Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy

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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.
(585) 389-2905
jcollin9@naz.edu

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
   
   • Applicant 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.
     • An applicant who does not meet these grade point average expectations must address them in his/her 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. Resume
6. Applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted 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
Deadline: November 1

2013-2014 PHYSICAL THERAPY COURSE BLOCK
Summer Session, Year I	Credits
PTR 518AS Human Gross Anatomy	6
PTR 524AS Patient Client Management I	4
PTR 520AS Professional Issues I	3
Total Summer Year I Credits	13
Fall Semester, Year I	Credits	Spring Semester, Year I	Credits
PTR 511AS Kineseology	4	PTR 514AS Exercise Science	3
PTR 512AS Neuroscience	4	PTR 516AS Applied Neuroscience	3
PTR 513AS Pathophysiology	3	PTR 525AS Patient Client Management II	4
PTR 523AS Soft Tissue Techniques	3	PTR 628AS Differential Diagnosis and Medical Imaging	3
PTR 515AS Evidence in Clinical Practice - 1 credit PTR 522AS Professional Issues II - 2 credits Note: Half of class takes these courses in fall; other half takes in spring
Total Fall Semester Year I Credits	15-16	Total Spring Semester Year 1 Credits	14-15
Summer Session, Year 2	Credits
PTR 528 Clinical Education I (8 weeks)	6
Total Summer Year 2 Credits	6
Fall Semester, Year 2	Credits	Spring Semester, Year 2	Credits
PTR 626 Cardiopulmonary Management	4	PTR 532 629 Musculoskeletal Management II	4
PTR 627 Musculoskeletal Management I	4	PTR 629 632 Integumentary, Prosthetics, Orthotics	4
PTR 650 Research I	3	PTR 654 Research II	2
PTR 659 Neuromuscular Management I	4	PTR 660 Neuromuscular Management II	4
PTR 532 Contemp Issues Inter-Prof Practice - 1 credit Note: Half of class takes in fall; other half takes in spring
Total Fall Semester Year 2 Credits	15-16	Total Spring Semester Year 2 Credits	14-15
Summer Session A, Year 3	Credits	Summer Session B, Year 3	Credits
PTR 521 Health Care System	3
PTR 661 Research III	1	PTR 635 Clinical Education II (8 weeks)	6
PTR 712 Interaction of Disability and Environment	2
Total Summer A Year 3 Credits	6	Total Summer B Year 3 Credits	6
Fall Semester, Year 3	Credits	Spring Semester, Year 3	Credits
PTR 615 Health Promotion and Wellness	3	PTR 721 Professional Issues III	3
PTR 636 Clinical Education III (8 weeks)	6	PTR 726 Clinical Education V (8 weeks)	6
PTR 710 Business & Mgt for the PT	3	PTR 728 Elective	3
PTR 725 Clinical Education IV	2	PTR 761 Research V	3
PTR 760 Research IV	2
Total Fall Semester Year 3 Credits	16	Total Spring Semester Year 3 Credits	15

 

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will display clinical preparedness in the areas of confidence; professionalism; clinical reasoning; and communication.

2. Students will collaborate with local, regional, and national organizations related to the promotion of health.

3. Students will contribute to collaborative research that advances the accumulation of evidence in P.T. with peers and faculty.

4. Students will demonstrate competency for entry level physical therapy practice.

5. Students will actively participate in professional development activities.

6. Students demonstrate attributes consistent with the mission of Nazareth College and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) throughout the curriculum.

7. Students will engage in service to the community for rehabilitation, health, and wellness.