Elon DPT viewbook

DPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

ELON.EDU/DPT

LEADERS IN

COMPASSIONATE PATIENT CARE

Uplifting Every Patient Enroll in Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and in three years you’ll graduate empowered to become a leader in an expanding field with excellent career opportunities. The program is built on solid principles of science and research, and augmented with careful attention to total patient care. Compassion, respect and communication are deliberately integrated to create an effective full-time program that treats the patient as a whole person.

Key features include: :: Innovative Modular Curriculum – Elon’s bold modular curriculum integrates hands-on clinical experiences with a strong physical and social science foundation. Modules range from four to 24 weeks and are driven by course content. :: Faculty Mentors – Elon professors are skilled instructors who are dedicated to teaching. A student-to-faculty ratio of 1:1 encourages students to work closely with their professors. :: Global Learning Opportunities – Grow as a global citizen as you work with patients in domestic and international settings, and are immersed in a culture different than your own in order to broaden your professional perspective. :: Premier Teaching and Learning Facilities – The Gerald L. Francis Center is the home of Elon’s School of Health Sciences and was designed with faculty feedback to create the ideal learning environment for physical therapy education. :: Focus on Service – Service is one of Elon’s deepest values, and DPT students have the opportunity to engage with those who need help through classroom projects and organized volunteer work. :: Proven Success – Job opportunities for physical therapists continue to grow and Elon graduates have a variety of professional opportunities from which to choose.

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A FULLY ACCREDITED PROGRAM Elon’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association.

CAPTE 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314 73-76-3245 accreditation@apta.org capteonline.org

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Beginning each January, Elon’s three-year curriculum integrates and coordinates courses and modules in a sequence that enhances learning. Self-evaluation is emphasized throughout the program, and students have the opportunity to pursue research in their specific areas of interest. Students practice in a variety of clinical settings as they apply classroom knowledge to real world patient-care scenarios.

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Learning from Experience Curriculum Schedule YEAR 1 Module I (4 weeks) Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care Today’s Health Care Systems Principles of Teaching and Learning Human Anatomy I Module II (12 weeks) Human Anatomy I Human Physiology and Pathophysiology I Physical Therapy Science I Physical Therapy Science II Research Design I Clinical Seminar I Module III (12 weeks) Human Anatomy II Human Physiology and Pathophysiology II Physical Therapy Science III Human Motor Development Clinical Seminar II Foundations of Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Management

KAILEY TRIEGER ’19 Kailey is a DPT alum working at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, Illinois. She works in different settings including inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics and day

Module IV (18 weeks: including a weeklong break) Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction I-II-III Clinical Seminar III Clinical Imaging Therapeutic Pharmacokinetics Research Design II YEAR 2 Module V (8 weeks) Clinical Practicum I Module VI (16 weeks) Neuroscience Management of Neuromuscular Disorders Clinical Seminar IV Module VII (8 weeks) Clinical Practicum II

YEAR 3 Module IX (12 weeks, including three weeklong breaks) Principles of Electrotherapeutic Examination and Intervention & Management of Integumentary Disorders Physiology of Exercise Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction Prosthetics and Orthotics Directed Research I Module X (8 weeks) Clinical Decision Making with Complex Patient (Client) Management of the Pediatric Client Principles of Administration and Management Geriatric Health and Wellness

Module XI (6 weeks) Advanced Clinical Practice Selective Tracks Module XII (24 weeks) Clinical Practicum IV Directed Research II Module XIII (1 week) Electives Students are offered a selected topic presented in the style of a continuation education course.

Also, a licensure review course is presented. Participation in Electives week is required.

Total Credit Hours: 161

Module VIII (8 weeks) Clinical Practicum III

rehabilitation. She evaluates patients upon arrival to determine a plan of care to achieve patient goals. She also implements appropriate interventions to target specified goals and ensure patient satisfaction.

“Elon University has an impressive program that completely captivated me upon inquiry. They offered the opportunity to participate in study abroad as a graduate student, give back to the local community through pro-bono services and have amazing classroom and laboratory facilities to learn from talented professors and clinicians. Elon also has an exceptional reputation among the professional community, and I have personally admired the Elon graduates that I had the opportunity to observe.”

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Expert Faculty and Lifelong Mentors Elon is a tight-knit community where students develop strong mentoring relationships with faculty and staff dedicated to teaching. DPT students work side-by-side with accomplished professors who are passionate about their work and are dedicated to helping students achieve professional goals. One hundred percent of the 14 full-time faculty members hold doctoral degrees.

Community Partnership United by a Shared Compassion Elon and Cone Health Alamance Regional Medical Center began a partnership in 1997 when the university launched the master’s program in physical therapy. In 23, Elon transitioned to a doctoral program. Several medical center therapists serve as adjunct faculty members.

Faculty members are researchers who frequently partner with students and alumni. Recent presentations, research and professional activities include: :: ElonRUNS, envisioned by Shefali Christopher, assistant professor of physical therapy education, as a shared wellness initiative for students, faculty, staff and the local community. The program provides runners with a social connection to running, research in running-related topics and a physical therapy clinic. Through training, group running experiences and participation in running events, community members are encouraged and supported to reach their running goals. :: The Journal of Student Physical Therapy Research (JSPTR), an open access, peer-reviewed online journal created and hosted by Elon faculty and students. It encompasses all aspects of clinical and basic research studies related to physical therapy. The JSPTR invites student authors to contribute manuscripts relevant to the theory and practice of physical therapy. :: Students and professors collaborate on research and present at national conferences and meetings, including the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, NEXT conference, the American College of Sports Medicine conference, and the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society conference.

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Charity Johansson, professor of physical therapy education, and her students presented a platform presentation at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy in Geneva, Switzerland. The research presentation, “Challenging Existing Norms for Geriatric Functional Outcome Measures: 6MWT, FTSTS, TUG, and SLS,” was co-authored by Kailey Trieger ‘19, Mackenzie Borrowman ’2, Claire Hildebrand ’2, Brittani Sullivan ‘2 and Kiana Witherspoon ’2. The study shows that older adults who exercise

at the level recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (at least 15 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week) perform significantly better than the established norms on several common functional outcome measures. The authors suggest healthcare professionals consider using these preliminary normative values rather than the established norms when establishing target performance for healthy aging among older adults.

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Embrace the World

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CARLEIGH HIGH ’17 Looking for a way to improve her ability to communicate with patients in Spanish, Carleigh utilized Elon’s El Centro de Español. The center offers Conversational Spanish, which ranges

from beginners to advanced speakers.

After graduation, Carleigh moved to Tucson, Arizona. She now works with Banner Health as a physical therapist dedicated to treating Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) patients.

“The opportunity to attend medical Spanish classes through Elon’s El Centro de Español program during lunch almost seemed like too much to add to a busy schedule. What I didn’t realize is that these classes would become a welcomed change of pace allowing me to practice Spanish in a relaxed manner that would also provide me with additional educational and social opportunities.”

The Elon DPT program is committed to educating students who become informed leaders and compassionate, reflective global citizens. As part of that commitment, Elon’s Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) program provides options to study, explore and practice in a culture that is different from the students’ own.

Students grow as clinicians, patient advocates and also benefit from personal growth that can occur when immersed in intercultural learning experiences. Funding support is available, and students can work with the GLO program coordinator to explore locations of interest. GLO offers both domestic and international sites, including Australia, Belgium, Belize, Italy, Peru, Romania and the U.S.

Innovative Research Projects and Programs at Elon: :: Peak Performance: Elon physical therapy students and faculty have unique opportunities to collaborate with Elon Athletics, bridging classroom and clinical practice. DPT students research athletic assessments, work with coaches to design and implement testing protocols, and perform data analyses. :: Residency: Through the new Elon Sports Residency, licensed physical therapists gain hands-on sports experience working with both Elon Division I athletes and endurance athletes through the ElonRUNS physical therapy clinic. A post-doctoral resident teaches sports and orthopedic physical therapy courses, leads journal clubs, performs research with Elon Athletics, works in the biomechanics laboratory and mentors physical therapy students interested in sports.

Client and Standardized Patient Program Elon DPT students work directly with the surrounding community throughout the program to reinforce classroom concepts. The Client and Standardized Patient Program brings community members of all ages with a variety of health needs directly to campus as part of the DPT program’s commitment to engaged learning.

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Premier Teaching and Learning Facilities The Gerald L. Francis Center is designed to foster collaboration, research and connect theory with practice. The facility includes 5, square feet dedicated to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program (PA).

DPT students further engage classroom lessons through research with faculty and peers. Teaching and research equipment includes:

DPT program dedicated space includes:

:: A second Biodex System 4 Pro & Biodex Balance System SD for campus

:: Three classrooms

:: A Qualisys Motion Capture System, which includes 12 cameras, two force platforms and a 16-channel wireless EMG system plus two force plates, for gait and movement analysis

:: Eight dedicated research labs (biomechanics, neuroscience, human performance, ultrasound, anthropometry, electrophysiology, metabolic and osteology)

:: A Robomedica body weight support system

:: Three skills labs (including neuro/pediatrics and musculoskeletal)

:: An ultrasound imaging system

:: Five simulation rooms (four exam rooms and one ICU room) with two observation rooms

:: A GE Dexa Scanner for measuring body composition and bone density

:: A fitness center used for educational and research purposes Each educational space is equipped with LCD monitors, digital video projectors and/or digital video cameras to augment the learning environment. DPT faculty, students and staff benefit from an energized and collaborative relationship with Elon’s PA program. The two departments frequently engage in shared learning opportunities and benefit from common facilities, including a human donor anatomy lab, student lounge areas, fitness center and locker facility.

:: A 128-channel Electro Geodesic Inc. EEG system :: Parvomedic True One metabolic measurement system :: Zeno instrumented walkway system :: APDM Inertial Motion Sensors :: A repetitive transcranial magnetic system :: Vulcam 2D video capture system :: Novel force measuring insoles :: GAITRite instrumented walkway system :: A portable AMTI force platform

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:: AlterG treadmill

RANDALL LAZICKI ’08 After graduating from the Elon DPT program, Randy continued his clinical postprofessional education and completed the Sports Physical Therapy Fellowship at Duke University. Currently, he is a Lead Physical Therapist with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a civilian contractor within the Tactical Human Optimization,

Rapid Rehabilitation and Reconditioning program for 1st Special Forces Command, Psychological Operations. In addition, Lazicki is completing his Doctor of Education in Kinesiology at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and serves as an adjunct faculty member in Campbell University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, where he instructs with the musculoskeletal faculty.

“Without my close Elon faculty connections, I would not be where I am today. They helped me obtain an internship at Fort Bragg working with military service members. In addition, I met my first employer at a poster session for the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association. I am thankful for the support, mentorship and assistance given to me by Elon faculty members. At Elon, I learned that patients care deeply about the personal interaction that you have with them. Elon faculty truly help students become compassionate professionals that enter the physical therapy profession successfully.”

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Elon is the only university in the nation recognized by U.S. News & World Report for excellence in all eight academic programs “Focused on Student Success.� Included is a #2 ranking for service learning.

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Compelled to Serve Caring for All

DPT students learn through experience. For DPT students, the desire to improve the lives of others and help the greater community extends beyond the required curriculum. Service learning and community outreach are longtime hallmarks of the Elon DPT program.

The Health Outreach Program of Elon (H.O.P.E. Clinic) offers physical therapy services free of charge to those who are uninsured or under-insured in Alamance County and surrounding areas.

The clinic is offered weekly and was North Carolina’s first studentmanaged pro bono clinic.

Activities Include: :: Bones & Backpacks Program – anatomy lessons are delivered to local elementary school students about the skeleton and spine. :: Special Olympics “SO Fit” Program – DPT students partner with local Special Olympians to nurture emotional, social and nutritional wellness lessons. :: National Biomechanics Day – local high school students visit campus and learn about biomechanics in the Gerald L. Francis Center with faculty and students.

Students treat individuals with various musculoskeletal and neurological impairments under the supervision of volunteer licensed clinicians from the faculty and the community. The H.O.P.E. Clinic provides a chance for Elon DPT students to improve their clinical skills outside of their scheduled clinical rotations, an outlet for licensed physical therapists to mentor students and provide pro bono service, as well as an opportunity to provide high quality health care to residents of our local community.

:: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Camp – offers funfilled activities to help patients participate more fully in play, self-care and school activities.

RICHARD PINE ’15 Richard has long loved running and fitness. He’s worked as a boot camp coach and competed in triathlons. For him, Elon’s DPT program was an opportunity to combine those interests with a career helping athletes work through injury.

“At a school like Elon, it’s a given that you’ll work with great faculty, but what I truly appreciated was the attention to detail and the amount of time our professors were willing to spend with each of us.

My clinical experiences truly helped me build my confidence and get a real taste of what my future will be like.”

Richard is practicing at Select Physical Therapy, which is a part of NovaCare Rehabilitation in Arlington, Virginia.

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Proven Success Graduates explore any number of career options as demand for physical therapists grows. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22 percent growth in the field through 228 and reports an average annual salary of $87,93.

A Broad Reach

Apply today

Elon’s DPT program produces graduates with interests in outpatient, acute, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing, home health work and school.

You’ll find them working as owners, directors, staff and faculty. And they specialize in areas including pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neurologic, wound care, dance and athletics.

The Elon DPT program enrolls a new class of 46 students each January.

The application is available online using the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (ptcas.org).

Visit elon.edu/dpt for a complete list of requirements and details about the admissions process.

Alumni work across the country, including Alaska and Hawaii, in careers including: :: Clinic Supervisor, Frazier Rehab Institute, Louisville, Ky. :: Manager of Inpatient and Outpatient Therapy Services, Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Center, Richmond, Va. :: Civilian Physical Therapist at Fort Bragg, N.C. and Delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association :: Major League Physical Therapist/Rehab Director for the Kansas City Royals :: Faculty at Nova SouthEastern University in Davie, Fla. :: Physical Therapist for Faunix dance company and biomechanics research with dancers at the University of Puget Sound 14

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100% GRADUATION RATE (CLASS OF 2019)

100%

NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINATION PASS RATE IN 2019

94%

FIRST-TIME EXAM PASS RATE FOR THE CLASS OF 2019

Elon students design products that could improve lives through engineering design experience.

Collaboration between Elon’s Engineering Program and the Department of Physical Therapy Education oers students an opportunity to

connect engineering design work to the health sector. Students are partnering with people in the community who have mobility limitations and designing products intended to make their daily activities more eďŹƒcient or achievable.

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Nonprofit Organization

Office of Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 398 Elon, NC 27244 336-278-7600 gradadm@elon.edu elon.edu/dpt

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About Elon University

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Elon has built a national reputation as a premier student-centered environment for engaged learning. Elon is a leader in global engagement and experiential education, with an emphasis on strong personal relationships between students and their faculty and staff mentors. Elon’s more than 7, students prepare to become the resilient, ambitious and ethical leaders the world needs, putting their E L O N . E D into U / Daction P T on campus, in the community and around the globe. knowledge

Elon is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #84 National University with a #1 ranking for study abroad, a #2 ranking for teaching excellence and a #11 ranking for innovation. Elon also leads the nation in the U.S. News spotlight on eight academic programs that lead to student success.