Department of Physical Therapy

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Program Description

Harding is excited to offer the first Physical Therapy Program at a church of Christ-affiliated institution. The program is designed to meet the mission of the University to provide a quality education that will lead to an understanding and philosophy of life consistent with a service-oriented Christian worldview guided by Christian ideals.

The Department of Physical Therapy resides in the College of Allied Health and offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The curriculum is an intensive, continuous eight-semester program including 110 semester hours of coursework and an average of 1,600 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Upon the successful completion of this program, students will earn the DPT degree and will be eligible to sit for the physical therapist licensure exam.

Harding University’s Physical Therapy program is located at 1300 South Main Street, Searcy, AR 72143, about one mile from Harding’s main campus. For more information call 501-279-5990 or email pt@harding.edu.

The Harding University Physical Therapy Student Handbook contains a comprehensive description of all policies and procedures that apply to students in this program.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Harding University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Program Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org).

Mission

The mission of the physical therapy program at Harding University is to develop individuals who are prepared to practice contemporary physical therapy from a service-oriented Christian worldview based on scientific evidence, professional ethics, and responsibility. 

The goal of the physical therapy program is to develop lifelong learners who will care for those in need, both in their professional and personal lives, while utilizing key components of the curriculum plan. These components include a strong foundation in the basic life sciences, synthesis of a body of applied scientific knowledge, adoption of a professional code of ethics, demonstration of a commitment to Christian values, and possession of the ability to communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, and to administer and evaluate treatment effectively and efficiently based on a clinical examination. In both word and deed, in action and as role models, our students will strive to lead others to Christ.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must:

1. Submit an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) at www.ptcas.org. Students will access this website, complete the web application, submit PTCAS application fees, send official transcripts from each university attended, and submit official GRE scores. In addition, applicants must submit three letters of reference that focus on the applicant’s character, academic, and professional abilities.
2. Have an academic record of performance at the undergraduate level that is predictive of academic success and professional achievement as a physical therapist. The minimum total undergraduate and science GPA should be 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Written appeals of the total GPA requirement must be made to the admissions director at the time of application. See www.harding.edu/pt for full details.
3. Complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test within five years prior to matriculation. See website for deadline. No minimum score required. The GRE requirement is waived for those who have completed a graduate degree prior to the deadline posted on the website: www.harding.edu/pt.
4. Provide three letters of reference/recommendation.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be strengthened by evidence of the successful completion of additional coursework, such as biochemistry, child and/or abnormal psychology, or other life science, chemistry, and science courses beyond the minimum required. We recommend that applicants take additional coursework for English and mathematics because of the need for strong analytical and communication skills.

It is strongly recommended that all prerequisite coursework be completed within seven years prior to applying to the program. Current employment that actively uses that knowledge base will be taken into consideration by the admissions committee.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite courses must be completed at an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with an average GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, with no course grade below C. Minimum requirements are listed below:

All prerequisites, including completion of degree, must be completed no later than the end of the summer term prior to matriculation.

All applicants who meet the requirements will be considered for an interview regardless of their major area of study. Submission of a completed application does not guarantee an interview, selection or admission into the Physical Therapy Program.

See website for complete details on admission requirements: www.harding.edu/pt.

International Students

Students who (1) speak English as a second language, and have (2) not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an institution within the United States accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. However, in lieu of these exams, professional programs in the health sciences may assess such students with an interview and/or a writing exam. The minimum acceptable score is 79 on the TOEFL iBT with a Speaking Sub-scale 27 (or an equivalent IELTS score). Scores must not be older than two years prior to the date of application to the university.

An applicant who is not a citizen of the United States must follow the normal admission procedure. The applicant must also have completed all pre-physical therapy program course requirements in an American college or university. The physical therapy program admissions committee does not evaluate transcripts from outside the United States. If course work has been earned from an international (non-U.S.) institution, several steps are required to proceed. In order for the physical therapy program admissions committee to determine whether the courses taken at an international (non-U.S.) institution can be transferred for credit:

1. International transcripts must be reviewed or evaluated by an undergraduate American institution.
2. All of the credit accepted for transfer must appear on the transcript of an American institution.
3. Transfer credit must be identified as courses equivalent to those in the American institution.
4. In order to receive a transcript including the evaluation of transfer credit, the international student must be enrolled at the undergraduate American institution.

Until this procedure has been accomplished, an application for admission cannot be accepted.

Federal funded financial aid is restricted for students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. It is required that the student provide documentation of financial ability to pay all expenses for the first year of study and demonstrate adequate health insurance coverage in the United States.

Other Program Requirements

Physical Therapy is an intellectually, physically, and psychologically demanding profession. In addition to the academic requirements for admission, candidates for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree must be able to exhibit mastery of technical standards for this field by performing the essential functions in each of the following categories: observation, communication, sensory/motor, intellectual, behavioral/social, and ethical.

The abilities that a physical therapist must have to practice safely are those described in accreditation standards for the physical therapy program. Candidates for the degree must be able to meet these minimum standards for successful completion of degree requirements.

When a student is admitted to the physical therapy program, a list of the technical standards is sent with each acceptance letter. Students must respond in writing whether they can meet the standards with or without accommodations. If accommodations are requested, the student must submit documentation of disability with proposed accommodations from a certified specialist to the University’s Disability Office as well as to the program director. The University will determine and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified students with a disability to enable them to meet these technical standards. Documentation must be sent to: Harding University, Disability Support Services, Box 12268, Searcy, AR 72149-2268.

Health Requirements: Applicants selected for admission to the program must provide evidence of good health, no communicable diseases, and required immunizations and screenings prior to matriculation on forms provided. Immunizations and screening tests required are as follows:

• M.M.R. (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) - a series of two (2) vaccines is typically given in childhood. Documentation of immunization or a reactive titer indicating immunity is required.
• Polio - a completed series is typically given in childhood.
• Primary tetanus/diphtheria series - a completed series is typically given in childhood and required if you attended public schools.
• Tdap is now required of all students to meet the tetanus requirement. CDC has removed any spacing requirements between Td and Tdap. Health care workers should receive a one-time booster of Tdap. After a documented Tdap, then a Td immunization every ten (10) years is required. Documentation must be provided verifying a Tdap or Td booster within the past ten (10) years.
• Hepatitis B series - the series of three (3) shots to complete the immunization takes several months (up to 6 months), so it is important to start early. Documentation must be provided verifying one of the following:
  • Initiation of Hep B series (with intent to complete the series as indicated by a health care provider).
  • Completion of the Hep B series.
  • A reactive titer indicating immunity.
• Varicella/Chicken Pox - documentation must be provided verifying ONE of the following:
  • Two (2) doses of varicella vaccine given at least 28 days apart.
  • History of varicella or herpes zoster based on physician diagnosis (written notice).
  • A reactive titer indicating immunity of disease.
• Hepatitis A - this is a two-shot series.

Required Screening Tests

• Tuberculosis - PPDs are required annually and must be maintained throughout the physical therapy program as long as patient contact is possible.

Students are required to maintain personal health insurance. Complete information is provided in the health packet provided after admission.

Computer Requirements: Proficiency in basic computer skills (word-processing, databases, internet searches and email) is expected of all entering students, as the curriculum will incorporate the use of computer technology. Additionally, all students in the program will be expected to have access to the internet.

Students are required to have their own laptop computer upon entry into the program. The minimum requirements will be listed after acceptance into the program.

Equipment Requirements: All students will be expected to purchase or have the required equipment needed to meet program requirements. The equipment list will be provided after acceptance into the program.

Liability Requirements: Each student must carry liability insurance coverage, which will be paid by the program.

Travel Requirements: Clinical experiences entail travel to clinical sites. PT students are responsible for all costs associated with off-campus clinical experiences. Transportation and food are the most common out-of-pocket expenses. Some sites will require additional living arrangements to be made, which will be the student’s responsibility.

Since portions of the program will require travel to various locations, all students are required to have access to a motor vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and auto liability insurance. Further information will be reviewed in detail at orientation and throughout the didactic year. Accepted students are required to attend all orientation sessions scheduled by the program.

Background Check Requirements: All accepted students must consent to, submit and successfully complete a criminal background check through the program-selected criminal background check vendor as a condition of continued enrollment in the Harding University Physical Therapy Program. Clinical educational sites require criminal background checks and clinical education is a required component of the Physical Therapy Program.

Failure to consent to a criminal background check or refusal to provide necessary information to conduct a background check will result in dismissal from the physical therapy program.

Some students may also be expected to submit to random drug testing required by clinical practice sites and/or the program. These additional costs would be the student’s responsibility. Criminal background checks and drug screens are common pre-employment procedures.

Application Procedure

1. All applications are handled through Harding University physical therapy admissions. Each new class matriculates in the fall semester. The application cycle begins in the fall, one year prior to expected matriculation, and ends at the deadline for application submission as stated at www.harding.edu/pt. Applicant interviews and candidate selection occur between October and March of each year. For more detailed information concerning the application cycle and deadlines, see the program website at www.harding.edu/pt.
2. The general GRE must be completed by the deadline set on the website. The official scores are to be sent directly to Harding. The institution code is 6267 and the departmental code is 0619.
3. Upon acceptance into the program, official transcripts showing conferment of undergraduate and graduate degree(s), if applicable, must be sent to the Physical Therapy Program. These must arrive prior to the program start date.

Submission of a completed application does not guarantee selection for an interview or admission into the program.

Application Review and Selection for Interview

Applications will be reviewed by a committee tasked with looking for traits of a competitive applicant who will then be invited for an interview. These traits include, but are not limited to, the applicant who:

1. Has all application documents postmarked on or before the stated deadlines. We will begin the interview process before the application deadline, and student positions will be offered before the application deadline. A specified number of positions will be kept open until after all applications have been reviewed.
2. Meets or exceeds the minimum requirements.
3. Provides explanation for GPAs that fall below stated criteria.
4. Has sought out adequate hours of shadowing/direct observation patient contact hours to demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to this career path. 
5. Has strong letters of reference. 

In addition, graduates of Harding University or its sister schools will be given preference. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend a personal interview that affords the faculty an opportunity to further review the applicant’s credentials. Applicants are expected to demonstrate maturity, personal initiative, an understanding of the physical therapist’s role, and excellent communication skills. This meeting also enables the applicants to become acquainted with the program’s facilities, faculty/staff and/or students.

Scoring of competitive applicants at the time of the interview will be based on an objective tool that awards points in many different areas. These areas include all of those mentioned above, plus communication skills, maturity level, and ability to answer questions asked during the interview process.

Selection and notification for admission
The number of applicants recommended for acceptance will be determined annually by the Physical Therapy Program faculty.

After interviews are completed, interviewees will be informed about their status via regular U.S. mail. Based upon a review of the applications and interviews, the Admissions Committee may recommend one of the following:

1. Acceptance: Individuals who have not completed all prerequisites or who have not yet graduated will have contingencies added to their acceptance, pending verification of successful completion of the required coursework and/or graduation. Formal letters of acceptance (with contingencies listed) will be mailed to all selected candidates.
2. Admission Alternates: At the end of the interview cycle, some applicants who are not offered immediate student positions will be ranked as alternates and will be notified of their admission status on or before the program start date. Applicants not admitted from the alternate list must reapply if they wish to be considered in subsequent years. At the end of the interview cycle, all applicants who have not been accepted and are not ranked as alternates will be notified that they are no longer being considered for a student position.
3. Non-Acceptance: Applicants wishing to be considered in a subsequent year must reapply and must satisfy all admission requirements for that year.

All program decisions are final. Questions may be directed to 501-279-5990 or email pt@harding.edu.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financial aid information can be obtained at www.harding.edu/finaid or by calling 501-279-4958. Students who are accepted into the program will be assigned a financial aid counselor after acceptance.

Program Requirements

In order to complete the Physical Therapy Program, a student must register for and pass each course set forth in the program’s curriculum outline. Normal program progression is sequential enrollment in all program classes each semester, beginning in Fall I and successfully meeting all course and program objectives each semester.

In addition to the University requirements regarding good academic standing at the graduate level, to remain in good academic standing in the Physical Therapy Program, a student must maintain the following:

1. A current and cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 during the didactic phase.
2. A grade of C or higher in all of the didactic phase courses.
3. A passing grade for each clinical rotation.
4. A total cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
5. Satisfactory evidence of good interpersonal relations and professional conduct.
6. Adherence to Harding University’s Code of Conduct.

Students satisfactorily meeting all the requirements of the didactic phase courses, including any required remediation, will be promoted to the clinical phase. Students satisfactorily meeting all the requirements of the clinical phase will be recommended for graduation and to receive the degree of Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Academic Progression, Warning, Probation, Suspension and Dismissal

The implementation of all guidelines will be in addition to that of existing policies and standards of the University as published in the current Harding University Graduate and Professional Catalog.

1. Academic Progression:
   1. Students must earn a grade of a C or greater in all courses in the professional curriculum in order to progress to the subsequent semester. Failure to earn a grade of C or greater in any course in the professional curriculum will result in dismissal from the HUPT professional program due to academic deficiency.
   2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and will have successfully completed all required first and second professional year courses and activities prior to beginning the third professional year. Students may not enter into a clinical rotation on academic probation.
   3. A student is required to achieve a score of 80% or higher on all practical examination in major clinical track courses and clinical reasoning courses (as designated in the course syllabus). If the student fails to score 80%, he/she will be required to remediate the exam and score an 80% on the remediation exam. If the student score less than 80% on the remediation or refuses to remediate the exam, the student will be deemed to have failed the course and the student will be academically suspended.
   4. A student with current and unresolved documented safety concerns will not be allowed to enter into a clinical rotation. Each student must be judged as safe and competent by the collective core faculty prior to advancing into a clinical experience. If a student is not allowed to progress into a clinical rotation due to documented reasons, he/she will be suspended from the program for one year to allow for resolution of the safety concern.  Reasons being kept out of a clinical experience will include but are not limited to:
      1. Lack of professionalism displayed in the classroom or lab environment
      2. Lack of initiative to correct academic or behavioral deficits.
      3. Serious lack of problem-solving ability that would lead to an unsafe clinical environment for patients or the student if the student were allowed to proceed.
      4. Failure to achieve a passing score on a practical exam in any major clinical track practice course or refusal to remediate any practical exam in any course. (Clinical Practice Courses Include: PT 8152 , PT 8211 , PT 8231 , PT 8232 , PT 8321 , PT 8332 , PT 8434 , PT 8521 , PT 8551 , and PT 8552 .
      5. Refusal, after being advised, to seek counseling, medical, or psychiatric help for a condition that is judged and documented by the faculty as being a safety risk in the clinical setting.
2. Academic Warning: Students’ academic performance will be monitored by the HUPT faculty throughout the semester. Anyone identified as having a GPA < 3.0 will receive written communication indicating the need for improvement and the need to meet with the student’s faculty advisor to obtain assistance. Commonly suggested sources of aid include: the course instructor(s), faculty advisors, and the Harding University Academic Resource Center located on the second floor of the Student Center.
   1. If a student is not currently on academic probation but earns a semester GPA that is below 3.0, he or she will be placed on academic warning.
   2. This status will go into the students file but will not go on the student’s transcript. It will serve as an intermediate step prior to being placed on academic probation. It will be an official alert to the student that he/she is academically progressing in a negative manner with the potential to go on academic probation if matters to not change.
3. Academic Probation:
   1. Students must maintain a cumulative and semester HUPT GPA of at least 3.0 in all professional course work. A student who fails to attain a 3.0 HUPT GPA in any academic semester will be placed on academic probation and notified in writing by the Program Director of this status.
   2. A student who is on academic probation will not be allowed to participate in clinical rotations. Academic probation puts the level of understanding and performance of the student in question, thus posing a risk to the public, should a student enter into the clinical rotation.
   3. To be removed from probation the student must raise his/her cumulative GPA to 3.0.
   4. A student who is on academic probation and who fails to achieve a minimal cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the conclusion of two consecutive semesters shall be considered for suspension or dismissal from the program.
   5. Students who are on academic probation will have 2 semesters to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 in order to be removed from probationary status. The event may occur such that a student who is on academic probation earns a GPA that is sufficiently low enough that the student would be mathematically prohibited from attaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA after the two semesters. In this case the student will be dismissed from the program after one semester on academic probation.
   6. If a student is placed on academic probation on 4 separate occasions during the course of the Physical Therapy professional curriculum, the student will be dismissed from the program due to academic deficiency.
   7. A student whose semester and/or cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program curriculum must successfully complete an academic recovery contract developed with the Program Director.
4. Suspension: The temporary status of being removed from the program. The student may be allowed to rejoin the program after one year. If the cohort size allows, the student may re-enter the program with the cohort of students of the new year. The student will be required to retake all classes (at the student’s expense) in the semester in which the suspension occurred.  If the student does not agree to these terms, the student will not be allowed to re-enter the program and will thus be dismissed from the program.
   1. Academic suspension: The student will be suspended for one year and may be allowed to return to the program one year later if:
      1. The student fails twice on a practical examination in a clinical track course or clinical reasoning course and if:
         1. The student is not on academic or non-academic probation at the time of the practical examination failures.
         2. The student’s semester GPA is above 2.5 for the said semester in which the practical examination failures occur.
         3. The student has no documented violations of the student code of conduct, the APTA code of ethics, or academic integrity policy.
            1. If an event occurs prior to, or after suspension, student will not be allowed to rejoin the program.
         4. There are no safety concerns documented for the student by the faculty prior to the practical examination failure.
            1. Examples of this include but are not limited to:
               1. Unheeded requests for the student to seek counseling, psychological, psychiatric, or medical help.
      2. If the student is placed on academic suspension, the status will be noted on the student’s transcript.
      3. In the instance that the student returns to the program one year later, the student will be required to retake all classes (at the student’s expense) in the semester in which the failed practical occurred regardless of circumstance.
         1. If the student has already completed the courses in the said semester, he/she will receive the higher grade earned for that course.
      4. If a student fails a practical examination twice, he/she will not be allowed to continue in the program and will receive a failing grade in the course in which the exam was failed. This failing grade will go on the student’s transcript.
         
         NOTE: A student is required to achieve a score of 80% or higher on all practical examination in major clinical track courses and clinical reasoning courses (as designated in the course syllabus). If the student fails to score 80%, he/she will be required to remediate the exam and score an 80% on the remediation exam. If the student score less than 80% on the remediation or refuses to remediate the exam, the student will be deemed to have failed the course and the student will be academically suspended.
   2. Non-academic suspension is given for the following reasons:
      1. Excessive absence or tardiness.
      2. Violation of cell phone policy.
      3. Repeated violations of the dress code.
      4. Or other issues related to professionalism.
5. Academic Dismissal: A student in the Harding University Physical Therapy Program is subject to academic dismissal from the program for any of the following:
   1. Failure to earn a C or greater in any course in the curriculum.
   2. A student who is on academic probation and who fails to achieve a minimal cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the conclusion of two consecutive semesters may be considered for dismissal from the program.
   3. A student who is on academic probation with a cumulative GPA sufficiently low as to mathematically preclude the student from attaining the required minimal 3.0 GPA at the conclusion of 2 consecutive semesters will be dismissed from the program after one semester on academic probation.
   4. Being placed on academic probation on three separate occasions or being placed on academic probation for greater than 3 consecutive semesters total during the course of the Physical Therapy professional curriculum.
   5. In the event that a student is on probation at the end of the didactic portion of the fourth semester or at the end of the sixth semester, the student will be dismissed from the program. The dismissed student will have the option of re applying to the program to begin with the next matriculating cohort; however, there is no guarantee of re-admission to the program.
   6. If a student fails on two consecutive attempts on a practical examination in a major clinical track course or clinical reasoning course, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program.
      1. The student will be dismissed from the program for the following reasons:
         1. The student is on academic or non-academic probation at the time of the practical examination failures.
         2. The student’s semester GPA is less than or equal to 2.5 for the said semester in which the practical examination failures occur.
         3. The student has documented violations of the student code of conduct, the APTA code of ethics, or the academic integrity policy.
         4. There are safety concerns documented for the student by the faculty prior to the practical examination failure.
            1. Examples of this include but are not limited to:
               1. Unheeded requests for the student to seek counseling, psychological, psychiatric, or medical help.
   7. Violation of the academic integrity policy.
   8. Violation of the University Code of Conduct.
   9. Violation of any of the Codes of Professional Conduct.
6. Academic Recycling: The following policies will be applied to repeating courses in the professional curriculum of the HUPT:
   1. If the student voluntarily withdraws (W) for any reason, or is suspended, the student may be allowed to re-enter the program. In this circumstance, the student must make a written request to the program and will be required to re-enter the curriculum one year later. This will be allowed if all of the applicable requirements are met for the circumstances of the withdrawal or suspension. The student will re-enter with a different cohort of students, if a slot is available at the time of re-entry. There is no guarantee of acceptance. The student will be required to re-take the entire semester of courses at full cost to the student, including student tuition and fees.
   2. No course in the professional curriculum may be repeated more than once. Students dropped from the rolls of the HUPT may follow the University Academic Grievance Policy to file an appeal. Students may appeal decisions of an ad hoc Grievance Committee to the Associate Provost of Health Sciences. Such appeals must be made in writing no later than 3 business days after notification of an ad hoc Grievance Committee decision.

Withdrawal

A student may find it necessary to voluntarily withdraw from the program for various academic or personal reasons.

The Physical Therapy Program is a block scheduled program, therefore withdrawal from a course constitutes withdrawal from the program; no credit will be given for any of the courses in the semester - withdrawal from one course constitutes withdrawal from all courses for the semester. No refund of tuition or program fees will be given for the semester in which the withdrawal occurred.

Transcript Notation: If the student chooses to withdraw, he or she will receive the transcript notation for the classes in which the student is currently enrolled.

1. The student will receive a W (withdraw passing) if the student is passing all courses at the time of withdrawal.
2. If the student is failing a class at the time of withdrawal, he/she will receive a WF (withdraw failing).

Students may withdraw from the HUPT program at any time, however, students must counsel with the Program Director prior to formal withdrawal. After this counseling session, the student must request to be withdrawn from the program by signing a standardized form The Program Director notifies the Dean of the College of Allied Health and submits the form to the University Registrar and Office of Public Safety, verifying that the student has withdrawn from the program.

The Program Director will submit the completed and signed withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office. Students will not be considered officially withdrawn until the registrar has received notification and completed the drop for all Physical Therapy program classes, and he/she will receive a W (withdrawn) for the course if the student has maintained a passing grade. Students who do not complete an official withdrawal will receive a failing grade for each class.

In the case of extenuating circumstances (such as prolonged documented illness or family emergency) a student may choose to withdraw from the course/program. If the student is passing the course at the time of the withdrawal, he/she will receive a W. In this case, the student will have the option of withdrawing from the program and re-entering the curriculum one year later with a different cohort of students. The student will be required to re-take the entire semester of courses at full cost to the student, including student tuition and fees. If the student is failing the course at the time of withdrawal the student will be dismissed from the program on academic grounds.

Re-entry in the program: If the student withdraws while passing his/her classes, the student may be allowed to rejoin the program one year later if the subsequent cohort of students has number that would allow an additional student. Any student who withdraws or dismissed from the Physical Therapy Program must follow the stated procedures to be considered for re-admission.

Exceptions to re-entry: If the subsequent cohort will not allow the addition of another student, the student must re-apply to enter the program as a new student.

Applicants for re-admission are evaluated along with new applicants. No withdrawn or dismissed student is ever guaranteed interview or re-admission to the Physical Therapy Program. Students who have been dismissed for academic reasons or ethical misconduct and the dismissal has been upheld after all administrative recourse, are not eligible for readmission to the Physical Therapy Program.

Leave of Absence

In the event that a student in the Physical Therapy Program encounters a situation that requires a prolonged absence from the Program, that student may either request a leave of absence or withdraw from the Physical Therapy Program.

A request for a leave of absence must be submitted in writing to the Program Director with sufficient information to explain the situation. In the event that the student is ill or otherwise indisposed, the written requirement may be waived, and the Program Director may initiate the action independently. If the request for leave is deemed reasonable and appropriate for the circumstance, and if the student is in good academic standing at the time, the Program Director of may grant the leave. Otherwise, the Program Director may, at his discretion, deny the leave, recommend that the student withdraw from the Physical Therapy Program, or may recommend that the student be dismissed from the Physical Therapy Program, following University policy. Conditions will be determined individually according to the merits of each case.

Temporary Health Condition

Because of the unusual demands of the physical therapy profession, a student who becomes ill, injured, or pregnant or who has another temporary medical condition during the program must report the illness, injury, pregnancy, or condition to the Program Director as soon as possible. The student must bring a completed “Health/Medical Condition Restrictions Form” (obtain from the Program Director’s office) from his or her healthcare provider outlining the student’s current limitations in performing the essential functions outlined in the technical standards and the expected timeframe of limitations or stating that the student has no such limitations. The Physical Therapy Program will evaluate each individual situation to determine whether the student is able to continue in the curriculum and whether reasonable accommodations can be made.

A student who is ill, injured, or pregnant or who has another temporary medical condition has the responsibility of meeting with the Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, and other faculty designated by the Program Director to be informed of the risks and requirements involved in remaining in the Program. The student must inform his or her physician of the risks, essential functions, and technical standards of the Physical Therapy Program. If the student remains in the Program, the student accepts responsibility for any increased risks to himself or herself or to others associated with the illness, injury, pregnancy, or condition.

Faculty

Department Chair/Program Director: Kevin Ramey, Ph.D.

Professors:

Michael McGalliard, Sc.D.
     Dean of the College of Allied Health and Associate Provost of Health Sciences
Kevin Ramey, Ph.D.
     Department Chair/Program Director
Cody Sipe, Ph.D.   

Associate Professors:

Anita Killins, D.P.T., Ph.D.
Ruth Ann Mathis, Ph.D.
     Director of Clinical Education
David Smith, Sc.D.
Inna V. Swann, D.P.T., Ph.D.

 Assistant Professors:

Hunter Finney, D.P.T., LSVT, COMT
Don Wilcox, Ph.D.

Programs

• Physical Therapy (DPTY), DPT

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