Contents
Catalog Links

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Program Mission

The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is to educate and form entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy practitioners in a faith-based academic community. Students are educated to become skilled, ethical servant leaders who are valued contributors to the health professions and to the community.

Program Goals

As a premier health professional education program, the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University will meet the following program goals:

  1. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program will achieve a two-year average graduation rate of greater than 85%.
  2. The Program graduates will have a two-year average ultimate licensure exam pass rate of greater than 90%.
  3. The Program graduates will sustain a first -time licensure exam pass rate of greater than the national average.
  4. The Program graduates will have a two-year average employment rate of greater than 95% among graduates who are actively seeking employment in the field of physical therapy within one year of graduation.
  5. As a community-engaged campus, 85% of the program faculty and students will be engaged in service to the community and profession at the institutional, local, state and/or national levels on an annual basis.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Upon completion of the DPT program graduates will be able to:

  1. Practice in a manner that meets legal standards and demonstrates ethical action and decision -making.
  2. Utilize best evidence in making sound clinical judgments, as well as create scholarly material through scientific inquiry.
  3. Apply entry-level knowledge and skills in the examination and evaluation of patients and clients to formulate accurate physical therapy diagnoses.
  4. Create effective, evidence-based intervention plans that optimize an individual’s physical and emotional well -being and participation in society.
  5. Administer effective physical therapy services through communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, servant leadership and sound business acumen as autonomous, reflective practitioners in an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Length of Program

The program is an 8 semester, continuous program. The program consists of 99 credit hours. Due to the intensity of the program, it is recommended that students do not work while enrolled in this program.

In order to be considered for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, the following admission requirements must be met:

  1. Successfully earn a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to the first day of scheduled classes in the DPT program.
  2. Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a calculated GPA of 3.0 in all pre-requisite courses
  3. Successful completion of all pre-requisite courses with ‘C’ or better, inclusive of:
    • General Biology and lab (8 credit hours)
    • Upper level Biology or Chemistry (2000 level or above) (3 credit hours)
    • General Chemistry and lab (8 credit hours)
    • Human Anatomy (3 credit hours)
    • Human Physiology (3 credit hours) or 6 credits of combined Human Anatomy and Physiology
    • General Physics and lab (8 credit hours)
    • Math [Algebra or higher] (6 credit hours)
    • Statistics (3 credit hours)
    • General Psychology (3 credit hours)
    • Upper Level Psychology [preferably Child/Developmental Psychology and/or Abnormal Psychology] (3 credit hours)
    • General English Composition/Writing (6 credit hours)
    • Upper Level English Composition/Writing [2000 level or above] (3 credit hours)
    • Medical Terminology (1 credit hour)
  4. Graduate Record Exam (>/= 290) on quantitative and verbal portions combined and a minimum of 3.0 on analytical writing within the last five (5) years
  5. 60 hours of observation of clinical practice by a licensed physical therapist
  6. 2 letters of recommendation (from licensed physical therapists that you have observed)
  7. A personal statement that summarizes why the applicant desires to be a physical therapist, what they personally can contribute to the profession, and why they are a fit for the University

Semester 1 - Fall

DPTH 7411Structural & Functional Anatomy I

4
DPTH 7313Human Physiology I

3
DPTH 7315Neuroanatomy

3
DPTH 7321Foundations of Clinic Science I

3
DPTH 7331Professionalism in Physical Therapy I

3
DPTH 7961Physical Therapy Seminar I

1
Total Credit Hours:17

Semester 2 - Spring

DPTH 7412Structural & Functional Anatomy II

4
DPTH 7314Human Physiology II

3
IPGC 6315Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology

3
DPTH 7322Foundations of Clinical Science II

3
DPTH 7217Pharmacology & Radiology in Physical Therapy

2
DPTH 7232Professionalism in Physical Therapy II

2
Total Credit Hours:18

Semester 3 - Summer

DPTH 7218Pathology for Differential Diagnosis

2
DPTH 7223Foundation of Clinical Sciences III

2
DPTH 7324Foundational Science of Human Movement

3
DPTH 7358Pediatric Physical Therapy

3
IPGC 6125Bioethics

1
Total Credit Hours:11

Semester 4 - Fall

DPTH 7451Orthopedic Physical Therapy I

4
DPTH 7453Neurologic Physical Therapy I

4
DPTH 7256Integumentary Physical Therapy

2
DPTH 7225Physical Therapy Interventions

2
IPGC 6320Research Methods in the Health Sciences

3
DPTH 7233Professionalism in Physical Therapy III

2
DPTH 7963Physical Therapy Seminar III

1
Total Credit Hours:18

Semester 5 - Spring

DPTH 7452Orthopedic Physical Therapy II

4
DPTH 7454Neurologic Physical Therapy II

4
DPTH 7355Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy

3
DPTH 7257Rehabilitation and Prosthetics and Orthopedics

2
DPTH 7234Physical Therapy Administration

2
DPTH 7741Scholarly Project I

1
DPTH 7964Physical Therapy Seminar IV

1
Total Credit Hours:17

Semester 6 - Summer

DPTH 7791Professional Practice I

3
DPTH 7158Wellness in Physical Therapy Practice

1
Elective I

0-3
Total Credit Hours:4-7

Semester 7 - Fall

DPTH 7792Professional Practice II

5
DPTH 7742Scholarly Project II

1
Elective II

1-3
Total Credit Hours:7-9

Semester 8 - Spring

DPTH 7793Professional Practice III

5
Elective III

1-3
Total Credit Hours:6-8

Elective Offerings

MHCA 5320Leadership in Healthcare Management and Governance

3
MHCA 5325Health Systems and Trends

3
MHCA 5330Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Inforamtion Systems

3
MHCA 5355Population Health & Managerial Epidemiology

3
MHCA 5385Healthcare Policy: Legal and Economic Implications

3
MHCA 5375Quality and Performance Improvement

3
DPTH 7280Independent Study - Advanced Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy

1
DPTH 7281Advanced Clinical Practice in Orthopedic Physical Therapy I

1
DPTH 7282Advanced Clinical Practice in Orthopedic Physical Therapy II

1
DPTH 7283Advanced Clinical Practice in Neurologic Physical Therapy I

1
DPTH 7284Advanced Clinical Practice in Neurologic Physical Therapy II

1-3
DPTH 7285Advanced Clinical Practice in Sports Physical Therapy I

1-3
DPTH 7286Advanced Clinical Practice in Sports Physical Therapy II

1-3
DPTH 7743Scholarly Project III

1

Semesters Offered:

FA = Fall

SP = Spring

SU = Summer

 

MHCA 5320, MHCA 5325, MHCA 5330, MHCA 5355, MHCA 5385, and MHCA 5375: SU, FA, SP.

DPTH 7280: FA, SP.

DPTH 7281, DPTH 7283, and DPTH 7285: FA.

DPTH 7282, DPTH 7284, DPTH 7286, and DPTH 7743: SP.

Students shall meet the following requirements to be recommended for graduation and eligibility for the certification examination. Each student must:

  1. Meet all of the requirements of the accrediting/approval bodies for licensure;
  2. Meet all of the requirements of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University DPT program;
  3. Complete all course work within allotted time period with a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA;
  4. Clearance of all indebtedness to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University; including the return of all borrowed materials from the University library

Licensure

Requirements for professional licensure and certification can vary by state and can change without notice. All students should consult the state licensing body in the state in which they reside or seek to be licensed to ensure that the degree they earn will meet requirements for licensure in that state.

https://franu.edu/offices-services/distance-education/licensure-disclosures

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (225) 214-6965 or email dpt@franu.edu.