University of New England

Program Information Admission Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing Curricular Requirements Program Standards Academic Policy Financial Information Graduation Requirements Department Website

Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

College: Health Professions

Department: Physical Therapy

Contact: University of New England, Graduate Admissions Office, 716 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME  04103, 207-221-4225 or 800-477-4863.

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Overview
The professional education program in physical therapy is an eight semester course of study culminating in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The curriculum begins with the foundational sciences through which the student studies normal human structure and function.  From this critical underpinning, the student undertakes, through an integrated study of body systems, an evidence-based approach to the study of the various pathological conditions that interfere with function, the associated psychosocial impact, the relevant medical and surgical interventions, and the physical therapy tests, measures, and interventions utilized within the patient/client management model. The student is also introduced to the physical therapist’s role in prevention and wellness, health promotion, education, consultation, scholarly inquiry, legislation and policy-making, and administration. Optional elective courses provide students with an opportunity to explore other health care areas and topics or additional areas of PT practice.  Moreover, a student may work under the mentorship of a faculty member to pursue their interest in scholarly inquiry in the research track.

Students complete three full-time clinical practica, totaling 36 weeks of clinical experience, integrated in the second and third professional years, enabling students to apply information learned in didactic courses to patients and clients.  Some 274 clinical sites around the United States are available to provide a broad base of experiences in a variety of settings.  The sites represent the continuum of health care practice settings including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient private practices, ambulatory care centers, skilled nursing facilities, school/preschool programs, and home health care. 

Mission Statement
To advance the profession of physical therapy by educating physical therapy graduate students for contemporary practice and by contributing to research, interdisciplinary collaboration, community and professional service, and clinical practice. We are committed to evidence-based, interdisciplinary, and life-span care for the diagnosis, prevention, and intervention of movement impairments, functional limitations and disabilities.

Program Goals
The primary educational goal of the program is to prepare the graduate for autonomous practice wherein physical therapists are recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice….for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function, and health.  (American Physical Therapy Association Vision Statement 2020)  To achieve this goal, the faculty has identified the following six general program goals:

1. Prepare students to fulfill the roles of the contemporary physical therapist (APTA Vision Statement 2020).
2. Contribute to professional and community organizations.
3. Advance the body of knowledge of physical therapy.
4. Develop partnerships with other departments within the University and with the external community for teaching, scholarship and service.
5. Enable faculty to maintain currency in issues of contemporary physical therapy through clinical practice, lifelong learning and professional development.
6. Provide physical therapy services to the community.

Accreditation
The Physical Therapist Education Program at the University of New England was granted accreditation by the Commission on accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)*  through 2012. The program has been an accredited program since its beginnings (first graduating class in 1984). The program, through its policies and procedures, is committed to assuring compliance with the evaluative criteria established by CAPTE.

*Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Phone: (703)-684-2782 or (703)-706-3245

Requirements
The faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy value a class comprised of students with diverse educational backgrounds and life experiences. Individuals with a bachelor's degree from any accredited institution are encouraged to apply for admission to the DPT program. To be considered for admission to the DPT program, the applicant must:

1. Have a distinguished record of excellence and achievement in college as established by GPA, extracurricular activities, community involvement, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.
2. Successfully complete each of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of "C":
   4 Credits of Biology¹
   4 Credits of Anatomy¹ ²
   4 Credits of Physiology¹ ²
   4 Credits of General Chemistry I ¹
   4 Credits of General Chemistry II ¹
   4 Credits of General Physics I ¹
   4 Credits of General Physics II ¹
   3 Credits of General Psychology 
   3 Credits of Psychology Elective
   3 Credits of Statistics 
                                       
   ¹ Courses must include a laboratory component and be taught from the science department of the institution. Survey courses taught in non-science departments will not satisfy the requirements.
   ² A two-semester sequence of anatomy and physiology will satisfy these requirements.
   
   Please note: Students may apply to the DPT program before completing all pre-requisite coursework but must successfully complete all pre-requisites before enrolling in any course in the DPT curriculum.
   
3. Complete an interview during one of the scheduled campus interview dates.  A telephone interview may be arranged in cases of extenuating circumstances that preclude participation in the on-campus interview.   

Policies and Procedures
Applications (complete with all application materials) for admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must be received by the Admissions Office by February 1st.  Candidates interested in applying for early decision must have all completed application materials in the Admissions Office by December 1st.

• To be considered for early acceptance into the program, applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better and a math/science cumulative GPA (based on the prerequisite math and science courses) of 3.3 or better.

Health Information
Students are required to complete the Physical Therapy Health Information Form and demonstrate proof of cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification at least two months prior to all scheduled clinical education experiences. Students are required to undergo a Criminal Background Check for all programs in the College of Health Professions. Students are responsible for ensuring they are in compliance with the requirements at their assigned clinical sites. In some cases the actual requirements may exceed the program requirements. For example, a site may require a varicella titer, an additional criminal background check or drug testing. Failure to complete the specified requirements in a timely manner may result in a student's clinical experience being delayed or canceled. Expenses associated with the requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Transfer Credit
Requests for consideration of transfer credit will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Standing
Requests for consideration of advanced standing will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is eight semesters in length and includes a combination of classroom course work, laboratory coursework, and three, full-time clinical practica. In addition to the 104 required credits, students are invited to take up elective coursework offered by the department and by other graduate programs within the university.

Required Courses	Credits
BIO 502 - Gross Anatomy	6
BIO 504 - Neuroscience	4
PTH 501 - Foundations of PT Practice I	3
PTH 502 - Kinesiology	5
PTH 503 - Normal Development	2
PTH 505 - Professional Issues 1 – Professional Socialization and Communication	2
PTH 506 - Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Illness	1
PTH 507 - Introduction to Clinical Medicine	1
PTH 508 - Pathology and Medical Management – Musculoskeletal System	2
PTH 510-  PT Mgt Dis Musc/ Skel System	10
PTH 514 - Scientific Inquiry 1	2
PTH 516 - Pathology and Medical Management - Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems	1
PTH 522 - PT Management of Patients with Disorders of the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems	4
PTH 524 - Clinical Education Seminar	1
PTH 525 - Professional Issues 2A - Administration	2
PTH 601 - Clinical Practicum 1	8
PTH 602 - Scientific Inquiry 2	2
PTH 603 - Pathology and Medical Management – Neuromuscular System	3
PTH 604 - PT Management of Children with Disorders of the Neuromuscular System	5
PTH 605 - PT Management of Adults with Disorders of the Neuromuscular System	7
PTH 606 - Research Proposal or PTH 608 Case Report 1 *	2
PTH 607 - Clinical Practicum 2	8
PTH 700 - Professional Issues 2B - Administration	2
PTH 701 - Pathology and Medical Management – Integumentary System	1
PTH 702 - Professional Issues 3 - Education and Consultation	2
PTH 703 - PT Management of Patients with Disorders of the Integumentary System	4
PTH 704 - Disease Prevention and Health Promotion	2
PTH 705 - Research Project or PTH 708 Case Report 2 *	2
PTH 706 - Professional Issues 4 - Public Policy & Physical Therapy	2
PTH 707 - Clinical Practicum 3	8
Total Credits Required	104
*  Students complete either PTH 608 and PTH 708 (Case Report 1 & 2) OR PTH 606 and PTH 705 (Research Proposal and Research Project)
Please note:  Curriculum is subject to change.

Program Standards
The Department of Physical Therapy, the College of Health Professions, and the University of New England are committed to offering a quality physical therapist education program that complies with the evaluative criteria of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program provides learning experiences to enable graduates to achieve the outcomes required for the practice of physical therapy.

The University of New England Student Handbook contains policies and procedures, including the University Conduct Code that applies to all students at the University.  Students are also expected to abide by the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Guide for Professional Conduct and the APTA’s Code of Ethics. You will note that many of the policies described in the UNE Student Handbook are congruent with the APTA’s Guide for Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics.                  
   
In addition to those policies and procedures described in the above documents, students must complete, with a grade of “B-” or higher, all academic courses that meet the requirements for graduation.  Students who earn a grade of “C+” or lower in any of these courses must re-take the course and earn a “B-“ or better. Because of the sequential nature of the curriculum and the fact that most courses are only offered once during a given academic year, the need to retake courses will, in most cases, result in extending the time to program completion by one year.  If the student does not earn a “B-“ or better in re-taking the course, the student will be dismissed from the DPT program.

All DPT students must earn a grade of “pass” in the following courses:

• PTH 601 – Clinical Practicum 1
• PTH 607 – Clinical Practicum 2
• PTH 707 – Clinical Practicum 3

If a student does not earn a grade of “pass” in these courses, the student must re-take the course and earn a “Pass”.  If the student does not receive a “pass” when re-taking the course, the student will be dismissed from the DPT program.

Students will be expected to abide by additional course policies (e.g. attendance policies, etc.) established by individual faculty members.  Failure to abide by the conduct code described above, course policies or Department policies may result in disciplinary action.

Student appeals will follow the appeal process outlined in the UNE Student Handbook.  This Handbook stipulates that appeals will only be accepted by the Dean's office if the student has exhausted all required procedural options.   Grievances with a faculty member must be appealed to the faculty member.  Questions about procedural options should be directed to the Program Director.

Tuition and Fees
For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Equipment
All students are required to have access to high-speed internet service.  It is recommended that students have their own laptop computers with the capability of utilizing Web CT or similar on-line education format.

Other Expenses
Other expenses will include textbooks and lab fees in some courses. Students should also anticipate transportation, housing and living expenses during clinical practica.

Financial Aid
Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

Department Financial Awards & Graduate Assistantships
The DPT program offers Academic Achievement Awards to students based on academic merit, and up to three Graduate Assistantships each year. All admitted students are given consideration for this financial assistance, and the award or assistantship is determined at the time of the admission decision.

Conferring of the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is contingent upon the successful completion of academic and clinical coursework to include a total of 104 academic credits.

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Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2007-2008 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2007.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.