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, extended care facilities, industry, sports medicine, private offices, home health, and school systems. Physical therapists serve patients of all ages, from newborns to older individuals. Physical therapists assume responsibility for the patients, clients, and families with whom they interact. Physical therapists respond to society’s diverse, dynamic, and complex needs and recognize the value of lifelong learning and the application of new knowledge.
The Department of Physical Therapy offers multiple programs, including the Entry Level Program (DPT), Post Professional (PPtDPT), and Residency Programs. The Entry Level DPT Program consists of three years of on-campus full-time study to prepare students to enter the profession. The DPT Program empowers students to transform into successful professionals who care for others with competence, integrity, and compassion. The Entry Level DPT Program strives to graduate physical therapists who elevate the standards of physical therapist practice while “transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience” (APTA vision statement, 2018).
Entry-Level Program
The Physical Therapy Program at Utica University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (315) 792-3075 or email aelazza@utica.edu. 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 as well as foster development of clinical reasoning skills. Learning experiences include lectures, small group discussion of clinically relevant case studies, hands-on laboratory practice, integrated clinical experiences, and full-time clinical experiences.
The mission of the Utica University Physical Therapy Program is to “Empower students to transform into successful professionals who care for others with competence, integrity and compassion.”
The Utica University Entry Level DPT curriculum meets the educational requirements that allow graduates to be eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and pursue a physical therapist license to practice in the U.S. However, additional requirements for licensure or certification beyond these educational requirements may vary in each state. These additional, non-educational requirements may include jurisprudence assessment, criminal background check, professional liability insurance or others. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with any other requirements in the state in which they intend to seek licensure.
Student Learning Goals
Goal #1. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level physical therapist practice.
Expected Outcomes
1. demonstrate the knowledge to provide comprehensive patient/client management across the lifespan and in a variety of practice settings.
2. demonstrate the clinical skills necessary to provide comprehensive patient/client management across the lifespan and in a variety of practice settings.
3. demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice administration.
4. demonstrate sound clinical reasoning skills that are based on the best available evidence.
Goal #2. Demonstrate entry-level professional behaviors and care for individuals with compassion and integrity.
Expected outcomes
1. demonstrate responsible behaviors toward society consistent with Utica University’s Mission and Values, and the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA’s) Core Values.
2. participate in community service and/or advocacy activities.
3. effectively communicate with all stakeholders.
