Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy This program is designed for Physical Therapists who work in clinical practice and are interested in enhancing their skills while earning the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. This degree promotes evidence-based practice and patient management skills. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences The University is a private, independent, postsecondary institution licensed by the Commission for Independent Education. The University built its reputation by providing excellent graduate education and preparing individuals to excel in their chosen field. Program Mission The mission of the transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program is to develop leaders in physical therapy patient examination, evaluation, intervention, and case management. Special focus is placed on the foundational sciences of anatomy and biomechanics, while enhancing the clinical reasoning and treatment skills of the student. Because this program is designed for physical therapists that work in clinical practice, it is expected that students will bring about positive improvements to the workplace as they progress through the program. This program will help to promote the profession by developing experiences that address the critical issues found in the delivery of health care today. Program Learning Outcomes Through completion of this program students will: •
Be prepared, by academic knowledge to practice in an emerging arena of autonomous practice by thinking logically, critically, creatively, and independently. • • •
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Develop leadership skills in an area of clinical practice that will promote the profesion of PT and the patients who receive care • • • •
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Graduates will comunicate with clarity, depth and precision in an area of in relation to a clinical patient case. Graduates will demonstrate competency in measuring clinical outcomes. Graduates will demonstrate skills needed for practicing autonomously.
Graduates will report on alumni survey that they have utilized leadership skills in their work setting. Graduates will participate in or present in a professional activity related to continuing education. Graduates will accept responsibility for evaluating new knowledge and its relationship to effective patient care. Graduates will demonstrate sound decision-making skills in relation to leadership scenarios.
Display professional skills such as life-long learning, ethical behaviors and interdisciplinary collaboration within professional practice. • •
Graduates will report publication or presentation of professional opportunities and work. Graduates will report employment opportunities and projects that portray professional skills.
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Develop effective communication skills in physical therapy practice in order to advance professional goals. • • •
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Students will demonstrate self-reflection related to personal and professional accomplishments as a result of their studies. Students will demonstrate professional communication as evidenced by written skills in course essays and patient care assignments responding with clarity, depth and precision. Students will produce a publishable quality final Capstone paper.
Apply depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills in selected areas of theory and clinical techniques as it relates to patient care and supported by evidence based practice. • • • •
Students will demonstrate a logical sequence to problem solving given a case or clinical scenario. Students will express satisfaction with outcomes of Capstone Project. Pass all oral, written and practical certification examinations. Graduates will apply (whether, clinical, educational or administrative) evidence from professional/scientific literature.
Admissions Policies and Procedures Application to the transitional DPT program is open to all physical therapists who entered the profession with a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree from an accredited institution. It is expected that all applicants are licensed physical therapists or eligible for licensure in the United States. Applicants are encouraged to submit the application, supporting documentation, and references by registered or certified mail. All applications and supporting documentation will be reviewed upon receipt. Applicants will be notified via email of the status of their file. How to apply Please call 1-800-241-1027 and request the transitional DPT program application packet. A $50 processing fee is to be submitted with the application. Accreditation The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Requirements for Completion of the transitional DPT Degree program The transitional DPT degree program is 24 credits for master’s level students and 60 credits for bachelor’s level students. The master’s level student will need to complete the Capstone Project for 5 credits and 19 specialization or non-specialization elective credits; the bachelor’s student will need to complete Pharmacology, Imaging, Differential Diagnosis and Capstone Project for 11 required credits, 11 specialization or non-specialization elective credits, and 38 clinical integration credits.
Delivery Format of transitional DPT courses Courses in the transitional DPT program are offered in two formats: online, and/or seminar combined with an online learning experience. Process for Obtaining the transitional DPT Degree Students begin by completing coursework in either a clinical specialty track, leading to a Certification, or a non-specialty clinical track of elective coursework. You may begin registering for the necessary seminars and coursework as soon as you are accepted into the program. Capstone Project or Mentored Clinical Residency Each student has the choice of completing the Capstone Project or a Mentored Clinical Residency. The Capstone Project may take the form of one case report or an article on critical health care issues prepared in a publishable format. The Mentored Clinical Residency is a supervised clinical experience in the specialty area selected by the student. The Residency site and mentor must meet specific requirements. Curriculum Master’s Degree Applicant Coursework Credit Hours Specialization or non-specialization elective courses 19 Capstone Project I and II (or Clinical Residency) 5 Total Hours
24
Bachelor’s Degree Applicant Coursework Credit Hours Differential Diagnosis for the Therapist 2 Imaging for Physical Therapy 2 Pharmacology 2 Capstone Project I and II (or Clinical Residency) 5 Clinical Integration I 8 Clinical Integration II 8 Clinical Integration III 8 Clinical Integration IV 8 Clinical Integration V 6 Specialization or non-specialization elective courses 11 Total Hours
60
Specialty Tracks - Certifications Manual Therapy Track - Specialty Courses Credit Hours Foundations of Clinical Orthopaedics (FCO)v 3 Intro. to Spinal Evaluation & Manipulation (S1) 3 Extremity Evaluation and Manipulation (E1) 2 Extremity Integration (E2) 2 Myofascial Manipulation (MF1) 2 Advanced Pelvic Lumbar & Thoracic Spine (S2) 2 Advanced Cervical & Upper Thoracic Spine (S3) 2 Functional Analysis: Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Complex (S4) 2 Preparation/Certification in Manual Therapy 3 Total Manual Therapy Certification Track Hours 21 Primary Care Track - Specialty Courses Credit Hours Foundations of Clinical Orthopaedics (FCO)v 3 Intro. to Spinal Evaluation & Manipulation (S1) 3 Extremity Evaluation and Manipulation (E1) 2
Differential Diagnosis for the Therapist 2 Pharmacology 2 Imaging for Physical Therapy 2 Introduction to Primary Care 2 Preparation/Certification in Primary Care 3 Total Primary Care Certification Track Hours 19 Craniofacial Track - Speciality Courses Credit Hours Foundations of Clinical Orthopaedics (FCO)v 3 Intro. to Spinal Evaluation & Manipulation (S1) 3 Advanced Cervical and Upper Thoracic Spine (S3) 2 Evaluation & Treatment of the Craniomandibular System 2 Intermediate Craniofacial 3 Advanced Craniofacial 3 Directed Study: State of the Art Treatment of the Craniomandibular System 1 Preparation/Certification in Craniofacial 3 Total Craniofacial Certification Track Hours 20 Elective Courses Credit Hours Foundations of Clinical Orthopaedics (FCO) 3 Professional Communications 2 Health Services Administration 3 Educational Theory for Clinicians 3 Application of Motor Control and Motor Learning Theory 2 Evidence-Based Research for the Health Professional 3 Advancing Hand Therapy 2 Ergonomics 2 Psychology of Health & Exercise 2 Applied Performance Psychology 3 Evaluation & Treatment of the Craniomandibular System 2 Electrotherapy 2 Spinal Instability 2 Interventions for the Older Adult with a Neurological Impairment 3 The Pediatric Client with a Neurological Impairment 3 Foundations of Teaching and Learning 3 Organizational Leadership & Policy in Health Care 3 Motivational Theory in Health Care Education 3 Technology in Higher Education 3 Current Issues in Health Sciences Education 3 Differental Diagnosis for the Therapist 2 Pharmacology 2 Fundamentals in Health Care Business 3 Accounting and Financing for the Practice 3 Legal and Regulatory Issues 3 Introduction to Primary Care 3 Imaging for Physical Therapy 2 Directed Readings 1-4 Directed Study 1-4 vFCO, while not required for certification, is highly recommended
For more information contact: Student Services Office 1 University Boulevard St. Augustine, FL 32086 1-800-241-1027 s Fax: 904-810-3819 www.usa.edu s email:admissions@usa.edu 9/12