Academics

Academics | BS/DPT Program | DPT Program

Goals of the Program

Incorporate the mission of Nazareth College and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) throughout the curriculum.
Foster the core values of professionalism in the curriculum and in faculty and student activities.
Actively promote opportunities for faculty and student collaboration with local, regional, and national organizations.
Respond to societal trends and changes for continuous improvement of curriculum and practice.
Contribute to the accumulation of evidence for teaching and clinical practice through faculty scholarship and faculty/student research.
Promote experiential learning throughout the program.
Promote faculty and student growth for the advancement of physical therapy practice.
Engage faculty and students in service to the community for rehabilitation, health, and wellness.

Guiding Principles

Students are responsible for own learning.
Utilize the Nazareth Physical Therapy Clinics as a collaborative learning environment.
Team-based, group activities simulate work environment and are encouraged as useful teaching/learning experiences.
Self and peer evaluation are essential strategies for accomplishing personal and program goals.

Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program Curricular Philosophy

The faculty of the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program believes 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 in which students are responsible for learning. Faculty serve as role models in demonstrating responsibility and accountability as teachers, clinicians, scholars, consultants, and administrators who are committed to serving community health needs.

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Terminal Objectives

Graduates of the Nazareth College Physical Therapy Program will be able to:

1.0 Apply the knowledge, skills, and values obtained in liberal and professional studies to the multiple roles required of a physical therapist.

1.1 Demonstrate clinical reasoning, judgment, and reflective practice' to minimize errors and enhance patient/client outcomes.

1.2 Respond to a changing health care environment that includes health promotion, fitness, wellness and prevention.

1.3 Apply current professional literature to clinical judgments, professional issues and patient problems.

2.0 Utilize the patient/client management model for patient-centered care to persons with impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities to optimize outcomes throughout the lifespan. 1

2.1 Perform screening and/or comprehensive examinations.

2.2 Correctly interpret the results of selected tests and measures to make clinical judgments necessary for completing physical therapy evaluation.

2.3 Develop a physical therapy diagnosis, plan of care, and prognosis based on patient’s needs.

2.4 Emphasizing patient/client engagement, provide all components of physical therapy intervention effectively and safely to achieve client goals & outcomes.

2.5 Using self and patient assessments, evaluate the outcomes of patient –centered physical therapy to modify and progress the plan effectively.

2.6 Complete thorough and accurate documentation to facilitate evidence based practice, reimbursement and integrity to all stakeholders.

2.7 Provide culturally relevant interventions to patient/clients to facilitate achievement of meaningful goals.

2.8 Collect outcome data to enhance patient/client performance and maximize therapist efficacy.

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3.0 Engage in professional activities to advance the expectations of contemporary practice.

3.1 Identify and engage in opportunities to teach others.

3.2 Coordinate and deliver physical therapy services in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings.

3.3 Lead personnel in the effective delivery of physical therapy services.

3.4 Provide evidence to expand the body of knowledge that supports both the art and science of the physical therapy.

3.5 Promote prevention, health, and wellness in all professional and personal activities.

3.6 Effectively and ethically market physical therapy services and advocate for patient care via methods that reflect fiduciary responsibility.

3.7 Critically evaluate self-performance and the performance of peers to facilitate continued and enhanced competence.

3.8 Contribute meaningfully to community organizations and professional associations.

3.9 Promote and advocate for direct access practice.

3.10 Contribute to the body of scientific evidence through a variety of research activities.

4.0 Demonstrate caring, compassion, empathy, integrity, and professional behaviors in all interactions with patients, other professionals, health care organizations, support personnel, and the public at large.

4.1 Communicate in a manner that displays cultural competence.

4.2 Demonstrate respect and appreciation for individual differences when engaged in physical therapy practice, research, and education.

4.3 Engage in lifelong learning to meet the demands of being a licensed health care professional.

4.4 Consult and collaborate with patients/ clients, their families, and other professionals to provide coordinated, efficient, and effective care.

4.5 Practice in accordance with ethical and legal standards.

1 Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, 1999, p.1-5.

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Academic Standards

Undergraduate students admitted to the BS/DPT degree program in Health Science/Physical Therapy will be required to meet the following academic standards in order to continue in the program: cumulative grade point average of 2.75, with a 2.50 in science courses; and an average of 2.75 in preprofessional courses. To remain matriculated in the professional phase of the program, an average of 3.0 is required.
Graduate students admitted to the DPT degree program in Physical Therapy will be required to meet the following academic standards in order to continue in the program: a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in graduate level course work.

Academic Advisement

Upon admission, all students are assigned an academic advisor who meets with the student regularly and provides academic supervision and counseling while at the college. In addition, the college's Academic Advisement Office (for undergraduate students), the Office of Graduate Student Services, and the Career Services Office provide supplemental support as needed. The Office for Students with Disabilities is available for students as needed to determine reasonable accommodation.

Program Policies

The faculty creates an educational environment that promotes the active participation of the students through self-directed learning experiences, community service and collaboration in the teaching/learning process. We value the worth of each individual and strive for students to achieve their potential as entry-level physical therapists. We believe that a foundation in liberal arts and sciences promotes strong interpersonal and communication skills, problem solving, and early critical thinking. The professional curriculum, including the clinical education experiences, has been designed to reflect current trends in evidence-based physical therapy practice.

The faculty prepares physical therapists for practice in the direct access environment. It is essential that faculty serve as role models in demonstrating responsibility and accountability as advocates, clinicians, teacher/scholars, consultants, administrators, and promoters of health. Student knowledge of compliance with Program policies and Procedures is essential. View Policy Manuals: (Student Handbook CURRENTLY BEING REVISED);Clinical Education Manua l; Nazareth Clinic Manual.