Doctor of Physical Therapy
Program Overview
The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program provides the required education necessary for graduates to take the professional license examination and embark on a professional career in physical therapy. The program embodies a strong foundational background in the biological, kinesiological and behavioral sciences, incorporation of principles of logical and scientific reasoning throughout the curriculum, and the philosophy that the practice of physical therapy is empowered by the collaborative efforts of the team, ensuring a partnership of people working towards a common goal.
Why the DPT?
The DPT is the degree endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association. The DPT graduate possesses clinical competence consistent with the preferred outcomes of evidence-based practice and is prepared for collaborative practice, capable of evaluation and treatment without the need for referral from another practitioner, but ready to work in collaboration with members of the health care team.
What is the Curriculum Like?
The
curriculum is an eight (8)-semester plan of study, which incorporates 32
weeks of full-time clinical internship and several weeks of integrated part-time
clinical experiences. The students are awarded the DPT degree after completing
113 credit hours of professional course work.
The curriculum had been established along three basic educational principles that are instilled in the philosophy and mission of the program. First, it is necessary that a strong basic science background in the biological, kinesiological, and behavioral sciences be established as the foundation upon which the curriculum is developed. Secondly, incorporation of principles underlying logical reasoning and the scientific method shall be woven throughout all aspects of the curriculum. These principles shall be implicitly stated in the faculty’s behavior as role models through their incorporation of their research and clinical practice experiences in the classroom setting. Thirdly, students will recognize that the practice of physical therapy is empowered by the collaborative efforts of the team, ensuring a partnership of people working toward a common goal. This principle is instilled in the students throughout the content of the curriculum and is exemplified by the faculty’s collaborative teaching and research efforts.
Mission
In concert with the mission of the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the University of Florida, the Department of Physical Therapy is dedicated to excellence in education, research, and service. The Physical Therapy Department supports this overall mission by educating entry-level students to become practitioners of evidence-based physical therapy, engaging in and educating doctoral students to perform basic science and clinical research, and through participation in professional and community service.
Philosophy
We believe in the right of each individual to have ready access to health care. We endorse promotion of health, preventative health care, and rehabilitation as major roles in physical therapy. We believe in the human right of each patient, student, and faculty member to access the best evidence based practice as a reflection of academic and clinical truth.
We believe that the search for the best evidence based practice should occur in an environment that fosters growth of the individual, personally and professionally. We believe that learning is a life-long, on-going activity and we strive to instill in the students responsibility for his or her own education. We support the faculty in teaching the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into the physical therapy profession using techniques that stimulate intellectual development. We support the sharing of ideas, values, and philosophies between patients, students, and faculty. We seek to provide an environment for the achievement of quality in human actions and the attainment of self-actualization.
Scientific
research is recognized as an absolute necessity in our profession to give
credence to the content of physical therapy and to provide the best evidence
for clinically based practice. The responsibility for advancing professional
knowledge through research and creative endeavors should permeate faculty
activities and attitudes in such a manner that it is conveyed to the entry-level
and post-professional students through daily classroom and clinical activities.
We support the profession of physical therapy through involvement in its professional organizations. We believe in serving as guardians observing, contributing, and shaping the growth of the profession in its organizational, legislative and societal responsibilities. We strongly advocate faculty and student participation in patient care, inclusive of pro bono services, and as contributing members of the health care team. Through serving as role models, the didactic and clinical faculties strive to help students develop these values and to nurture students’ desires to be contributing members of society.
Ranking and Accreditation
The Department is ranked fourth in the nation for AAU Public Universities by U.S. News and World Report.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredits the University of Florida and all of its programs. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits the Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and has accredited the program with no citations with the next review scheduled in 2014.
History
- The program was established in 1958 to educate physical therapists at the undergraduate level.
- In 1997 the program was approved to offer the Entry-Level MPT program.
- In March 2005, the Florida Board of Governors approved the Entry-Level DPT program.
Outstanding Clinical Education
The Department maintains contracts with over 250 clinical facilities all over the US. Entry-level DPT students spend a total of 32 weeks in full-time clinical education experiences over their three-year curriculum.
Exceptional Faculty
The Department’s faculty is nationally known for their areas of expertise and present regularly at national and international scientific meetings. The faculty had over 40 manuscripts published in refereed journals in the past year. Several faculty members have achieved awards for teaching and research.
Cutting Edge Research
The
faculty conducts research in the areas of muscle degeneration/regeneration,
activity dependent plasticity after spinal cord injury and stroke, pain
management, knee stability after acute anterior cruciate ligament injury,
biomechanical and neurophysiological principles related to coordination
of lower limb function in persons with post-stroke hemiparesis, motor behavior
problems of the elderly, respiratory conditioning post lung transplant and
for ventilator dependent persons, biopsychosocial models for prevention
and treatment of disability from spine pain, and neuroplasticity of the
brain and spinal cord as it influences respiratory muscles.
The Department receives external funding of over $2,000,000 per year from foundations and federal funding agencies, including NIH.
Excellent Facilities for Teaching and Research
The
Department is housed in the new Public Health & Health Professions,
Nursing, and Pharmacy Building. The facility has state-of-the-art classrooms,
conference rooms, and offices. The entire building is wireless for easy
access to the internet anywhere.
The Department maintains seven laboratories providing research space for faculty investigators. The Department also has access to laboratory space in the Malcom Randall Veterans Administration Medical Center in Gainesville and in the Brooks Laboratory for the Advancement of Rehabilitation and Human Performance in Jacksonville, Florida.
