Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

College of Health Professions and Social Work
Department of Physical Therapy & Human Performance

http://www.fgcu.edu/CHPSW/PT/PTDPT/index.asp
(239) 590-7530

2012-2013 Catalog Year

Central to the mission of the Program in Physical Therapy is the mission and goals of Florida Gulf Coast University and the College of Health Professions. Reflective of this, the academic program is designed to meet the diverse needs of the college students of today and of the future. The program prepares students to enter contemporary practice in the field of physical therapy. Students become proficient in employing current sources of information as they relate to learning and evidence-based practice. Students develop into self-directed learners through the active learning format that characterizes the program - skills that aid them in being resourceful scholars and clinicians.

Program Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Florida Gulf Coast University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: acreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

Program Admission Requirements

Students are admitted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the fall of each year. For priority consideration, all application materials must be received by January 16th of the year in which entry is sought. Application materials received after January 16th will be considered on a space available basis. All applications to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must be submitted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (www.ptcas.org).

The Department of Physical Therapy and Human Performance conducts a competitive admissions process. The following are the minimum requirements for admission to the entry-level physical therapy program. (Please note that meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission to the Physical Therapy program.) All applicants must have:

  1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Applicants may complete a baccalaureate degree in any field. The following undergraduate majors at FGCU may be the most congruent with the required physical therapy prerequisite courses: BS in Athletic Training; BS in Human Performance; BS in Health Science.
  2. Achieved a GPA calculated for all prerequisite courses (for courses completed at the time of application) of at least 3.20 (on a 0 to 4 scale).
  3. Achieved a GPA for all upper division coursework (for courses completed at the time of application) of at least 3.00 (on a 0 to 4 scale).
  4. A minimum score of 4.0 on the Analytical portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  5. A minimum total Quantitative-Verbal GRE score of 1000, with a minimum score of 400 on both the Quantitative and Verbal portions of the GRE, if taken prior to August 2011 or Equivalent Quantitative-Verbal (combined and individual) scores for GRE tests taken after August 1, 2011.
  6. Submitted all program specific application materials using PTCAS (www.ptcas.org).
  7. Completed the following prerequisite courses or the equivalent with a grade of C or better (a grade of C- or less is not acceptable).
    1. BSC 2010C General Biology I w/Lab (4)
    2. BSC 1085C Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab (3) or BSC 2011C General Biology II w/Lab (4)
    3. BSC 1086C Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab (4)
      Or PCB 2XXX Human Physiology (3)
    4. CHM 1045C General Chemistry I w/Lab (4)
    5. CHM 1046C General Chemistry II w/Lab (4)
    6. PHY 2053C College Physics I w/Lab (4)
    7. PHY 2054C College Physics II w/Lab (4)
    8. PSY 2012 General Psychology (3)
    9. DEP 2004 Principles of Development (3)
    10. STA 2023 Statistical Methods (3) or STA 2037 Statistics with Calculus (3)

Criminal Background Check
All students admitted to the DPT program must complete a criminal background check. A student may encounter potential problems with clinical education placement and/or licensure as a physical therapist if he or she has a criminal record. For specific information, contact the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice through its website. If a student has a criminal record, it is the responsibility of the student to inquire with the Florida Board of Physical Therapy Practice as to whether a criminal record may limit the student's ability to obtain licensure as a physical therapist or practice in certain settings.

Admissions Decision Appeals
A student may appeal admissions decisions by contacting the Office of the Dean in the College of HealthProfessions at 239-590-7451. Through the Dean's Office, the student brings an appeal to the CHP Student Appeals Committee. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of this process, he or she may bring the appeal to the University Ombudsman (www.fgcu.edu/ombudsman).

Program Requirements

  1. Required courses (105 hrs)
    • PHT 5109 Movement Science I (7)
    • PHT 5109L Movement Science I Laboratory (1)
    • PHT 6393 Movement Science II (6)
    • PHT 6393L Movement Science II Laboratory (2)
    • PHT 6395 Movement Science III (4)
    • PHT 6395L Movement Science III Laboratory (1)
    • PHT 5353 Medical Diagnostics and Pharmacology I- Introduction to Pharmacology and Imaging (2)
    • PHT 6009 Medical Diagnostics and Pharmacology II- Diagnostic Testing (3)
    • PHT 7352 Medical Diagnostics and Pharmacology III- Pharmacology (3)
    • PHT 7070 Medical Diagnostics and Pharmacology IV- Diagnostic Imaging (3)
    • PHT 5205C Introduction to Physical Therapy Practice (2)
    • PHT 6394 Physical Therapy Practice I (2)
    • PHT 6394L PT Practice I Laboratory (2)
    • PHT 6396 Physical Therapy Practice II (3)
    • PHT 6396L PT Practice II Laboratory (2)
    • PHT 6397 Physical Therapy Practice III (3)
    • PHT 6397L PT Practice III Laboratory (2)
    • PHT 6398 Physical Therapy Practice IV (5)
    • PHT 6398L PT Practice IV Laboratory (2)
    • PHT 7390 Physical Therapy Practice V (5)
    • PHT 7390L PT Practice V Laboratory (2)
    • PHT 7399C Physical Therapy Practice VI (2)
    • PHT 6026 Professional Development Seminar I: Intro to Physical Therapy (2)
    • PHT 6412 Professional Development Seminar II: Teaching and Learning (3)
    • PHT 6413 Professional Development Seminar III: Sociocultural Influences (3)
    • PHT 6527 Professional Development Seminar IV: Management, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship in Health Care (3)
    • PHT 6507 Professional Development Seminar V: Medical Spanish for Physical Therapists (1)
    • PHT 7528 Professional Development Seminar VI: Legal and Ethical Considerations in Health Care Policy and Practice (3)
    • PHT 7529 Professional Development Seminar VII: Preparation for Entering & Growing in the Profession (2)
    • PHT 5860 Introductory Clinical Experience (1)
    • PHT 6822 Clinical Education I (3)
    • PHT 6941 Clinical Education II (3)
    • PHT 6942 Clinical Education III (3)
    • PHT 7946 APP PT-Clinical Education IV (3)
    • PHT 7947 APP PT-Clinical Education V (3)
    • PHT 5016 Professional Writing and Literature Review (2)
    • PHT 6606 Application of Physical Therapy Principles - Critical Inquiry (3)
    • PHT 6607 Application of Physical Therapy Principles - Applied Critical Inquiry (3)

  2. Restricted Electives (10 hrs)

    Select one of the following:
    • PHT 6906 Independent Study I (3)
    • PHT 6971 Independent Research I (3)

    Select one of the following:
    • PHT 6907 Independent Study II (2)
    • PHT 6972 Independent Research II (2)

    Select one of the following:
    • PHT 7908 Independent Study III (2)
    • PHT 7973 Independent Research III (2)

    Select one of the following:
    • PHT 7909 Independent Study IV (3)
    • PHT 7974 Independent Research IV (3)

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED:   115 HRS

Additional Graduation Requirements

  • Successfully complete a cumulative personal /professional portfolio.
  • Successfully complete all Clinical Education Courses.
  • Perform at Entry Level in all Criteria of the Professional Behaviors Plan.
  • Complete Psychomotor Skills Log.
  • Apply for graduation per university guidelines and timeline.
  • Meet all FGCU Graduate Student requirements for graduation.

Progression Requirements

  • Students must follow a Program of Study approved by the student's faculty advisor.
  • Students must receive a grade of "B" ("S" if applicable) or better on all courses within the program curriculum.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for all coursework taken in the Physical Therapy curriculum.
  • A student must perform at the appropriate level of generic abilities and criteria as outlined in the Professional Behaviors Plan.