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

Mission Statement
The physical therapy program prepares physical therapists dedicated to life-long learning, reflection, and accountability who are grounded in intellectual, ethical, and aesthetic values. The program prepares professionals who are committed to meeting community health needs through engagement and service. The program graduate possesses 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 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 reflects 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 serving community health needs.

The department’s goals are that the program will:
•Incorporate the vision and mission of the APTA throughout the curriculum.
•Foster the core values of professionalism in the curriculum, as well as in faculty and student activities.
•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.

GPA Requirement
During the pre-professional phase (years one through three), students are required to maintain a 2.75 GPA in required science courses, and a 3.0 overall GPA. During the professional phase of the program, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Refer to departmental handbook and procedures for additional grading requirements.