Location:

Goodyear, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Doctorate

Specialty:

Physical Therapy

Program Overview

Program Description:

Every day in the United States, nearly one million people are helped by a physical therapist. As essential participants in the health care system, physical therapists diagnose and treat people of all ages as well as promote fitness and health. The aging U.S. population ensures that physical therapists will remain in high demand. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Franklin Pierce University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and prepares graduates for work in hospitals, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics, wellness and sports facilities, and private homes. Coursework is derived from an established theoretical and scientific base that offers broad clinical applications in restoration, maintenance and promotion of optimal physical function. Students take classes in Concord at a modern, spacious facility that includes classrooms, seminar rooms, computer labs and three clinical labs where students learn hands-on, practical skills. Clinical experience is a vital part of the program and can be completed in sites throughout the country. The program is typically completed in three academic years; this includes 32 weeks of full-time clinical affiliation in various settings. Graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Franklin Pierce are skilled and compassionate clinicians who partner with patients to make their lives healthier and more enjoyable. The employment rate of Franklin Pierce graduates has been 100% within six months of passing the license exam. The Program The Physical Therapy Educational program is an entrylevel curriculum leading to a Doctoral degree in physical therapy (D.P.T.). Students seek admission following the receipt of an undergraduate degree and completion of prerequisite coursework. The program is designed as an integrated model closely following the concepts of the Normative Model of Physical Therapist Professional Education developed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This curriculum prepares the student to integrate the five elements of patient/client management - examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention - in a manner to optimize outcomes. Examination, evaluation, and establishment of a diagnosis and a prognosis are all part of the process that helps the physical therapist determine the most appropriate intervention(s) to address outcomes that are desired by the patient/client.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Accredited by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) Standards The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Franklin Pierce University is CAPTE-accredited

Requirements:

Admissions Prerequisites In order to be considered for admission to the physical therapy program, the applicant must show evidence of having completed the following: • Achievement of a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) (on a 4.0 scale) in previous degrees earned • Completion of a BS/BA degree from an accredited college or university • Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) A minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA must be achieved for the required prerequisite courses: • Anatomy & Physiology (8 credits, including labs) • Chemistry (4 credits, including lab) • Statistics (3 credits) • Physics (8 credits, including lab) Science prerequisites should be at the science major level.

International Requirements:

Same as Domestic, plus English language competency