Mar 28, 2024  
2019 Graduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER - SPRING) 
    
2019 Graduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER - SPRING) [ARCHIVED CATALOG - Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Physical Therapy (DPT)


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Health care professionals promote optimal health and well­-being. Physical therapists foster concepts of health, wellness and fitness, injury prevention and optimizing functional outcomes for patients/clients and their families. Physical therapists function in a variety of settings within the community: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities, geriatric treatment centers, extended care facilities, industry, sports medicine, private offices, and school systems. Physical therapists serve patients of all ages, from newborn to elderly. Physical therapists assume responsibility for the patients, clients, and families with whom they interact. These professionals respond to the diverse, dynamic, and complex needs of society and recognize the value of life­long learning and the application of new knowledge.

The Department of Physical Therapy offers two doctoral programs, each leading to the clinical doctor of physical therapy degree; each program is distinct, offering education to meet the needs of the learners. The Entry Level Program (DPT) consists of three years, on-campus full-time study to prepare students to enter the profession. The Post Professional transitional DPT (PPtDPT) enhances the preparation of licensed physical therapists who aspire to have the doctor degree commensurate with the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision for the future of the profession.

Health care professionals promote optimal health and well­being. Physical therapists focus on fostering concepts of health, wellness and fitness, injury prevention and maximizing functional outcomes for patients/clients and their families. Physical therapists function in a variety of settings within the community: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric facilities, geriatric treatment centers, extended care facilities, industry, sports medicine, private offices, and school systems. Physical therapists encounter patients of all ages, from newborn to elderly. Physical therapists assume responsibility for the patients, clients, and families with whom they interact. These professionals respond to the diverse, dynamic, and complex needs of society and recognize the value of life­long learning and the application of new knowledge.

The Department of Physical Therapy offers two doctoral programs, each leading to the clinical doctorate in PT, each program is distinct, offering education to meet the needs of the learners. The Entry Level Program (DPT) consist of three years, on-campus full-time study to prepare students to enter into the profession. The Post Professional (PPtDPT) enhances the preparation of Licensed Physical Therapists who aspires to have the doctoral degree commensurate with the vision for the future of the profession through a combined residency and online model.

Entry-Level Program

The entry-level program is registered by the New York State Education Department and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE can be contacted at 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; Telephone: (703) 706-­­3245; Email:  accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capte.online.org. Graduates are eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and licensure in all states.

The entry-level DPT curriculum integrates traditional instruction with case analysis to guide, stimulate, and challenge student learning while fostering development as professionals with sound reasoning skills. To provide context for learning, small group discussions of clinically relevant case studies, hands-on laboratory practice, and clinical education experiences are integrated throughout the curriculum.

The mission of the Utica College Physical Therapy Program is to “educate students to become doctors of physical therapy who embrace the honor of their responsibility as professionals. Our faculty, students and graduates will demonstrate behaviors consistent with the mission of Utica College and the Core Values of the American Physical Therapy Association.”

Student Learning Goals

Graduates from this program will:

Consistently demonstrate current standards of physical therapist practice as skilled professionals with sound reasoning skills and capability for incorporating evidence into practice.

The physical therapy program students will:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge to provide comprehensive patient/client management across the lifespan and in a variety of practice settings.
  • Demonstrate the skills to provide comprehensive patient/client management across the lifespan and in a variety of practice settings.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice administration.
  • Demonstrate sound clinical reasoning skills that are based on the best available evidence

Demonstrate entry-level professional behaviors.

Physical therapy program student will:

  • Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with entry-level practice.
  •  Demonstrate responsible behaviors toward society consistent with Utica College’s Mission and APTA Core Values. 

Academic Requirements (112 Credit Hours)


Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy: Course Sequence

Summer 2: Neuroanatomy and Clinical Education I (10 credits)


Fall 3: Clinical Education (12 credits)


Spring 3: Clinical Education - Preparation for Transition to Licensed Professional (13 credits)


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