Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy

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Mission Statement:
The Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program prepares compassionate professionals who are life-long learners and critical inquirers that practice collaboratively and engage with a changing world.

Philosophy:
The faculty of the Nazareth College 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, collaborative 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. Graduates will actively participate in professional development activities.
2. Students will contribute to collaborative research that advances the accumulation of evidence in Physical Therapy with peers and faculty.
3. Students will display clinical preparedness for full time clinical education experiences in the areas of professional behavior; clinical reasoning; and communication.
4. Students and graduates will demonstrate competency for entry-level practice. 
5. Students/Faculty will demonstrate qualities consistent with the mission and goals of Nazareth College and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) throughout the curriculum.
6. Faculty and students will collaborate with local, regional, and national organizations.
7. Faculty and graduates will engage in service to the community for rehabilitation, health, and wellness.
8. Faculty will actively participate in professional development activities for the advancement of physical therapy practice.
9. Faculty and students will respond to societal trends and changes for continuous improvement of curriculum and 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 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: October 15

 

PHYSICAL THERAPY COURSE SEQUENCE
Summer Session I, Year I
PTR 518 Human Gross Anatomy	6
PTR 520 Professional Development I	3
PTR 523 Patient/Client Management I	4
Fall Semester, Year I		Spring Semester, Year I
PTR 511 Kinesiology	4	PTR 514 Exercise Science	3
PTR 512 Neuroscience	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	4
PTR 524 Patient/Client Management II	4	PTR 628 Differential Diagnosis/Medical Imaging	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	4	PTR 629 Musculoskeletal Management II	4
PTR 627 Musculoskeletal Management I	4	PTR 632 Integumentary System, Prosthetics, Orthotics	4
PTR 650 Research I	1	PTR 654 Research II	1
PTR 659 Adult Neuromuscular Management	4	PTR 660 Pediatric Neuromuscular Management	4
Total Semester Credits	15	Total Semester Credits	15
Summer Session I, Year III		Summer Session II, Year III
PTR 621 Physical Therapy Management of Older Adults	3	PTR 635 Clinical Education II	6
PTR 661 Research III	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	1
PTR 760 Research IV	1
Total Semester Credits	15	Total Semester Credits	12
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS = 122