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Midwestern University's Physical Therapy Program offers a course of study leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree for qualified students. The full-time, continuous, 36-month, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum is designed to deliver the academic and clinical education required to prepare students for their professional role as key members of the healthcare team and as an integral part of the healthcare delivery system. The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of physical therapists uniquely prepare them to coordinate care related to functional improvement and functional ability. The clinical phase of the program provides the students with necessary hands-on experience to develop the knowledge, skills
and attitudes essential to practice physical therapy in a variety of settings. All students will be required to travel for clinical education experiences. The focus of the professional clinical doctorate degree program is to prepare entry-level practitioners to provide physical therapy services in large, small, traditional, and nontraditional community and institutional practice settings that require independent judgment, leadership, and autonomous practice. The program also provides the foundation for graduates to identify and contribute to effecting solutions to the major, emergent health issues of our society and to contribute to the academic and clinical education of future practitioners. The graduate will be prepared to make valuable, ongoing contributions to society, healthcare, and the profession through leadership activities and collaborative efforts with others in physical therapy and interprofessional education, practice, and research.
Time Limit for Completion of Coursework
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a continuous, full-time program for 36 months. The maximum allotted time for completion of the doctorate program is 54 months.
Program Goals and Expected Outcomes
Based on its mission, the Physical Therapy Program has developed goals for students, graduates, faculty members, and the program.
- Students and graduates will be competent in providing physical therapy services to a diverse population across all levels of the healthcare continuum.
» Graduates will pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.
» Students and graduates will actively engage in interprofessional collaborative practice.
» Students and graduates will be engaged in community outreach programs.
» Students and graduates will be engaged in health promotion, prevention, or wellness activities. - Students and graduates will demonstrate professionalism, independent judgment, clinical problem solving, and leadership.
» Students and graduates will demonstrate professional behavior.
» Students and graduates will utilize evidence-based practice by critically applying scientific research and other forms of best evidence to improve their practice.
» Graduates will assume leadership roles in the community or profession.
» Graduates will assume leadership roles in the clinical setting.
» Graduates will be members of the American Physical Therapy Association. - Graduates will have the ability to contribute to didactic and clinical education of future practitioners and to the body of knowledge in the profession.
» Graduates will become clinical educators.
» Graduates will publish in professional magazines or journals or give presentations at local, state, or national meetings.
» Graduates will participate in post- professional continuing education programs.
» Graduates will participate in residency and/or fellowship programs, and obtain ABPTS specialist certification. - Faculty members will provide high- quality teaching and professional standards, scholarship, and service to the University, community and profession.
» Faculty will provide high-quality teaching.
» Faculty will disseminate scholarly products.
» Faculty will provide service to the University, community and profession.