The purpose of the Advanced Graduate Program in Physical Therapy is to provide advanced educational experiences to physical therapist clinicians. The focus of the Program is the development of clinical and academic competency in physical therapy.
The need for clinical competencies within a specific area of concentration has multiplied with the explosion of medical information and the resulting growth and increased diversity in physical therapy practice. A nationwide shortage of physical therapy faculty exists; development of more clinical specialists with graduate degrees will help to meet this need. Individuals are needed to assume leadership roles in developing and directing clinical practice and clinical education programs in various health-care settings. Also, the development of new knowledge through research is most easily accomplished by those who have combined advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge with graduate education into a clinical research competency.
Students must take six core courses, and complete one area of
concentration in:
Adult neurologic rehabilitation
Musculoskeletal
physical therapy
Pediatric physical therapy and one minor area of
study in:
Administration and Public Policy
Education
Research
Thirty-six credits are required for the thesis and non- thesis options. The program leads to the Master of Science degree.
Courses are held primarily in the evenings to enable practicing clinicians to maintain current employment. Course offerings are subject to student enrollment.
The physical therapy faculty recognizes that learning may occur through a variety of experiences. To meet the needs of applicants with diverse backgrounds, students may apply for challenge examinations. If successful, they may take elective courses as substitutes for a maximum of six required credits. Thus, students may begin study at their own level and will not need to repeat course work that has already been mastered.
Acceptance Standards
The successful applicant to this program is a licensed physical therapist interested in specializing and committed to graduate study. Each applicant must submit the following to the Office of Admissions:
Qualified individuals must have a successful interview with a Physical Therapy graduate adviser.
Academic Standards
All deficiencies in an applicant's qualifications must be removed during the first year of study. A student may be required to take additional courses to remove deficiencies. Until all deficiencies are removed, matriculation status will be withheld.
All students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 in order to receive their degree. In addition, grades below C are not acceptable as credit toward a graduate degree. Students earning less than a 3.00 average in any two semesters will be placed on probation.
Six transfer credits for graduate courses may be applied to the program if they meet the program's educational objectives and the approval of a Physical Therapy graduate adviser.
All degree requirements must be completed within five years after the initial matriculation date.
Program
CORE
| Cr. | |
| Physical Therapy 512 Foundations of Motor Control | 3 |
| Physical Therapy 517 Applied Biomechanics and Kinesiology | 3 |
| Physical Therapy 635 Instrumented Evaluation of Motor Function | 3 |
| Physical Therapy 551 Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| Physical Therapy 701 Research Methodology: Evaluating New Concepts in Physical Therapy | 3 |
| Physical Therapy 710 Seminar in Selected Topics in Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| 18 |
CONCENTRATIONS
Adult Neurologic Rehabilitation
This concentration is designed to provide opportunities for the development of clinical specialists, educators, administrators, supervisors and researchers in Adult Neurologic Rehabilitation. Course work is divided into two
major areas: foundations of basic sciences and investigation; and advanced theoretical knowledge, and skill in evaluation and treatment of the adult neurologic patient. Courses within the first category include selected topics in anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, and methods to evaluate posture and movement. Courses within the second category allow students to broaden their clinical knowledge in rehabilitation of the adult neurologic patient.
Emphasis is placed upon the critical analysis of current concepts in evaluation and treatment, and integration of concepts to formulate a problem-solving approach toward rehabilitation of this population.
Concentration Requirements
| Cr. | |
| Physical Therapy 673 Adult Neurologic Rehabilitation Seminar I | 3 |
| Physical Therapy 674 Adult Neurologic Rehabilitation Seminar II | 3 |
| 6 |
Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy
This concentration is
designed to provide opportunities for the development of clinical specialists, educators,
administrators, supervisors and researchers in the area of musculoskeletal physical therapy.
Course work is divided into two major areas: foundations for evaluation and basic science
background, and physical therapy evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Courses within the first category provide instruction in normal kinesiology and biomechanics,
anatomy and arthrokinematics of joints, the physiology of exercise, methods to evaluate
movement and posture, and critical analysis of physical therapy research. Courses within the
second category allow the student to enhance skills necessary for evaluation and management
of musculoskeletal disorders, and to critically examine current concepts in evaluation and
treatment. Emphasis is placed on the integration of diverse treatment approaches.