Programs in Physical Therapy
Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
PROGRAMS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY DEGREE PROGRAM (DPT)
Professional Program
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
Curriculum
THE TRANSITIONAL DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (tDPT)
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
Curriculum
The Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training offers two programs in Physical Therapy. The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) is a graduate degree for those who currently hold a baccalaureate degree and wish to enter the profession of physical therapy. The transitional doctor of physical therapy (tDPT) is a post-professional program for practicing physical therapists who wish to compliment their current knowledge and skills with advanced content to promote a higher level of confidence and autonomy in their practice.
programs in physical therapy
Physical therapy is an integral and unique component of health care. As a health profession, physical therapy focuses on movement disorders and rehabilitation of functional activity and underlying impairments in the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary systems of the human body. Human movement and the ability to interact physically with one’s environment are essential components of physical, emotional, and social well-being. The physical therapist, through multidimensional roles in a variety of settings, is dedicated to promoting health, preventing disease, and rehabilitating people disabled by injury or disease.
Physical Therapy Education at Sargent College
Students and educators share the responsibility of a learning process that is dynamic and lifelong. The type of entry-level education offered requires a mature student with demonstrated capability in the basic sciences and social sciences, as well as interpersonal skills. Further, the student’s personal values should be congruent with the ideals of the physical therapy profession.
The essential components of a physical therapy education include developing a strong foundation in the basic life sciences; synthesizing a body of applied scientific knowledge; adopting a professional code of ethics; demonstrating a commitment to professional values; and possessing the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, and administer and evaluate treatment effectively and efficiently.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure to practice physical therapy in each of the 50 states.
The entry-level program in physical therapy leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is designed to educate graduates as generalists dedicated to the promotion of health and to the prevention and rehabilitation of physical disabilities. Physical therapists are moving beyond traditional settings, that have been the primary sources of employment, into new and expanded dimensions of health care. They are assuming more responsibility and must be educated in evaluation of clients and treatment planning as well as in administration of programs, supervision of health care workers, teaching, consultation, and clinical research. Students and physical therapy graduates are bound by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). When students begin their curriculum, they are required to become student members of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Students participate in clinical experiences as part of their degree requirements. Sargent College affiliates with a rich array of clinical facilities representing the entire spectrum of physical therapy practice. Clinical placements are arranged for students with the goal of meeting students’ interests and competencies. Affiliated institutions are located in the greater Boston area and throughout the United States. Several are even available in Europe and Australia. All students complete clinical experiences within the academic program culminating in a full-time clinical internship. Students are advised that there may be a substantial cost associated with housing and transportation during clinical experiences.
| PROGRAMS/DEGREES AWARDED Physical Therapy DPT, tDPT Rehabilitation Sciences ScD |
doctor of physical therapy degree program (dpt)
Professional Program
The entry-level professional physical therapy program leading to the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is designed for those students already possessing a baccalaureate degree who wish to become qualified as physical therapists. Students have the opportunity to acquire the competencies basic to physical therapy, participate in supervised clinical experiences, and develop skills in education, health promotion, management, research, and a clinical special-interest area.
Individuals who are current physical therapists may pursue the DPT as a post-professional degree. See the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) section of this bulletin.
Admission Requirements
Applications received by the January deadline will be assured consideration. Applications received after that date will be considered on a space-available basis. Applicants are responsible for the gathering and simultaneous submission of all required materials to the Academic Services Center of Boston University Sargent College by the deadline. Accepted applicants will be notified and invited to attend an information session during February.
A completed application and official transcript(s) showing evidence of completion of a baccalaureate degree and prerequisite coursework are required for admission. The following courses must be completed at the college level:
biology: 3–4 credits (one course with lab)
human anatomy: 3–4 credits (one course with lab) (Note: When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined course, two semesters are necessary to meet the requirements)
human physiology: 3–4 credits (one course with lab)
chemistry: 6–8 credits (two-course sequence with lab)
physics: 6–8 credits (two-course sequence with lab)
statistics: 3–4 credits (one course to include descriptive statistics, correlation and introduction to inferential statistics)
developmental psychology: 3–4 credits (one course, which must include at least the childhood portion of development)
exercise physiology: 3–4 credits (one course)
Courses taken to fulfill prerequisites must be completed with an overall prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher in order for the application to be considered. An applicant may have courses still in progress by the January 7 deadline, but all prerequisites must be completed by the start of the program. If you have questions about whether a course fulfills one of the above requirements, please submit a course description from the appropriate college catalog to Julie Ann Starr, Chair, Admissions Committee, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Boston University Sargent College, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
Applicants must submit:
three letters of reference (one must be from a course instructor or academic advisor, one from a supervisor in professional or other work capacity, and one from another individual in either capacity)
scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (institution code 3028). Scores of 500 or more on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE are strongly recommended. Analytic writing scores are also evaluated. Applicants with one or more subtest scores below 400 will not be considered.
an essay addressing three questions (not to exceed a total of three double-spaced pages) responding to the following:
- Describe a major problem or challenge that you have encountered, and the ways in which you dealt with it.
- Physical therapists come in contact with a variety of people in professional practice. Describe a situation where you have interacted with an individual who was different from you. How did you feel about the interaction?
- Discuss your perception of how the physical therapist contributes to health care and evaluate how your past education and life experiences will enable you to make these types of contributions.
Describe, on a separate sheet, your health care-related experience (20 hours required).
Application Deadline The review of applications begins on January 7, 2008.
Degree Requirements
Candidates must complete a minimum of 90 credits, including a minimum of 44 weeks of clinical experience, to fulfill degree requirements. All requirements must be completed within six years from the time of initial acceptance. The curriculum is designed for full-time study: part-time enrollment is not an option. Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No grade below a C is acceptable for credit. For further details, please refer to the DPT Policy and Procedure Manual.
Curriculum
The following is a typical three-year program for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Each course carries 4 credits unless otherwise noted.
Professional Curriculum: DPT
Summer Term 1
SAR HS 581 Gross Human Anatomy
Summer Term 2
SAR PT 515 Physical Therapy Examination
SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy
First Year (DPT I)
First Semester
SAR HP 531 Clinical Medicine I: Physical Agents
SAR PT 511 Cardiopulmonary Systems I
SAR PT 521 Musculoskeletal Systems I (6)
SAR PT 555 Integrated Clinic I (2)
Second Semester
SAR HP 532 Clinical Medicine II (2)
SAR HP 561 Evidence-Based Practice I (2)
SAR PT 512 Cardiopulmonary Systems II (2)
SAR PT 522 Musculoskeletal Systems II
SAR PT 550 Scientific Basis of Human Movement (2)
SAR PT 551 Neuroscience for the Physical Therapist
SAR PT 565 Integrated Clinic II (2)
Summer
SAR PT 791 Clinical Experience DI (0)
(8 weeks: July–mid Sept.) (0) Fee
Second Year (DPT II)
First Semester
SAR PT 791 (continued from summer)
SAR HP 662 Evidence-Based Practice II (2)
SAR PT 633 Clinical Medicine III (2)
SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation Professionals
SAR PT 652 Neurological Systems I
Second Semester
SAR HP 650 Health Management I (3)
SAR PT 610 Health Promotion and Wellness (3)
SAR PT 623 Musculoskeletal Systems III (6)
SAR PT 653 Neurological Systems II (6)
Summer
SAR PT 792 Clinical Experience DII (0)
(10 weeks: June–Aug.) (0) Fee
Third Year (DPT III)
First Semester
SAR HP 720 Educational Theory and Practice (2)
SAR HP 770 Health Care Management II (3)
SAR PT 756 Pediatrics (2)
SAR PT 773 Comprehensive Clinical Reasoning
SAR PT 780 Academic Practicum: Research, Management, or Education (2–4)
Second Semester
SAR PT 793 Clinical Internship (6 months) (0) Fee
the transitional doctor of physical therapy (tDPT)
The transitional DPT program bridges the gap between current DPT entry-level practitioners and the current MSPT or BS practice expectations. As academic programs convert to an entry-level DPT degree and more graduates enter the work force with doctoral degrees, Boston University is committed to meeting the needs of practicing clinicians by offering an opportunity to complement current knowledge and skills with advanced content designed to promote a high level of competence and autonomy. The tDPT program is available to all qualified physical therapy graduates of accredited programs who are licensed physical therapists in the U.S.
The program is offered on campus as well as in a distance format. Physical therapists interested in the distance education program should visit Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Admission Requirements
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis allowing entry into the program six times during the academic year. If the applicant is a Boston University graduate from 1993 forward a transcript is not required. All other applicants must submit a transcript(s) showing evidence of completion of an entry-level degree in physical therapy.
Applicants must submit:
Two references attesting to clinical experience and job responsibilities and academic ability
One personal essay regarding career goals and educational and vocational interests and one referenced essay detailing the impact of the tDPT degree on the PT profession
Evidence of a minimum 3.0 professional grade point average from their entry-level physical therapy program
Evidence of six months of full-time clinical employment
Assessment, via portfolio process, of candidate’s prior coursework, experiential learning, and continuing education.
Current cv/résumé
All applicants who have not graduated from a U.S.-accredited physical therapy program or did not receive a physical therapy degree in an English-speaking institution must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The following minimum scores must be achieved:
writing — 22
speaking — 23
reading — 25
listening — 21
Degree Requirements
The program requires 22 credits including a choice of academic practicum experience in education, management, or research. All requirements must be completed within 3 years from the time of initial acceptance. Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No grade below a C is acceptable for credit. For further details, please refer to the tDPT online policy and procedure manual.
Curriculum
The following courses are required of all students. Each course carries 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
Curriculum
SAR HP 561 Evidence-Based Practice I
SAR HP 650 Health Care Management I
SAR HP 720 Educational Theory and Practice
SAR HP 770 Health Care Management II
SAR PT 610 Health Promotion and Wellness
SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Proc for Rehab Prof
SAR PT 780 Academic Practicum (2)
SAR PT 773 Case III: Comprehensive Case Management
Total 22 credits
Up to two courses may be waived by petition. Recent Boston University graduates may waive three courses. SAR PT 780 and SAR PT 773 may not be waived by any student.
Physical Therapy Programs
617-353-2720
Professor Julie Keysor
Acting Chair, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
617-353-2735
jkeysor@bu.edu
Senior Program Coordinator
617-353-2720
Professional Program (DPT)
Julie Ann Starr, Interim Program Director
617-353-2720
Post-Professional Program (tDPT)
Diane Heislein, Program Director
617-353-2720
dheislein@bu.edu
Professors Haley, Jette, Wagenaar
Associate Professors Holt, Saltzman
Assistant Professors Keysor, Kluzik
Lecturers Allen, Amorosino, Berquist, Coggeshall, Coughlin, Fischer, Herron, Horne, Marcotte, McDonald, McSweeney, Mullen-Rivers, Poakowski, Vest, White
Clinical Associate Professors Brown, Dalton, Ellis, Heislein, Palaima, Starr
Clinical Assistant Professors Dodge, Marinko, Peteet
Adjunct Associate Professor Fetters
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professors Hutsick, Marinko
Adjunct Clinical Instructor Breenan
Research Assistant Professors Andres, Latham, Ni, Slavin
Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Sherborn Street
Boston, MA 02215
20 September 2007
Boston University
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