Department of Physical Therapy

Nazareth offers two opportunities for entry into physical therapy:

• A six year program for a combined degree of BS in Health Science/D.P.T. in Physical Therapy
• The three year professional phase of the D.P.T. in Physical Therapy program may be entered directly if all admissions requirements are met (completion of an undergraduate degree and necessary prerequisites)

The BS/DPT degree in Health Science BS/DPT is a six-year program comprised of three pre-professional years plus three professional years. The pre-professional program includes the Nazareth College core requirements as well as Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Mathematics and Physics. With a strong foundation in the liberal arts, and a minor in Psychology it provides students with both the breadth and depth of pre-requisite knowledge upon which to develop an understanding of health issues from both scientific and cultural perspectives.

The D.P.T. degree in Physical Therapy builds on the students' pre-requisite education with the necessary professional education in physical therapy. Coursework is combined with clinical education experiences where students practice their skills under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Many courses contain an embedded clinical component, allowing students to immediately apply the knowledge skills, and attitudes learned in the classroom. In this model, students are able to implement skills and behaviors recently learned to benefit the community. Full time clinical education placements may be made at any of more than 200 sites having official agreements with Nazareth College. Individual clinical sites may have unique requirements for students such as health or drug screenings, or criminal background checks.

Accreditation

The Nazareth College Physical Therapy (PT) Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). This means Nazareth's program is in substantial compliance with the accreditation criteria. In addition to CAPTE, the New York State Education Department is a federally registered accrediting agency for professional programs and it has approved Nazareth College's program in physical therapy. Graduates are eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and licensure in all states.

Mission Statement

Consistent with the mission of Nazareth College and the mission of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program prepares physical therapists dedicated to lifelong learning, reflection, and accountability, who are grounded in intellectual, ethical, and aesthetic values. The program will prepare professionals who are committed to meeting community health needs through engagement and service.  The program graduate will possess the adaptive competence necessary to provide sound patient care, as well as preventive, educational, administrative, and consultative services that respect individuality.

 

 

Philosophy

Faculty of the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program believe that a pre-professional foundation in the liberal arts and sciences promotes strong interpersonal and communication skills, innovation and creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking. The professional curriculum is designed to reflect current trends in autonomous, evidence-based practice, stimulating critical inquiry. The faculty creates an educational environment to promote the active participation of the students through a student centered curriculum, whereby students are responsible for learning. Ultimately, faculty serve as role models in demonstrating responsibility and accountability as teachers, advocates, clinicians, scholars, consultants, and administrators.