Department of Physical Therapy
Professional Program in Physical Therapy:
UNTHSC
is currently developing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program on its Fort
Worth campus, with plans to begin classes in summer or fall of 2010.
Become
part of this exciting new DPT program that is emphasizing a first-of-its-kind
teaching collaboration of physical therapy faculty and physician-specialists in
osteopathic manipulation. This 30-month program will prepare you to practice as
a Doctor of Physical Therapy in one of today's fastest growing and most
rewarding health professions.
Program Vision:
Our plans are to launch a new
DPT program with a unique vision to evolve into a top 10 physical therapy
program in the U.S. by:
a) training DPT graduates who are equipped to practice physical therapy in any clinical setting and to independently and collaboratively carry out scholarly activities;
b) pioneering a new team teaching model in manual therapy through collaboration with osteopathic physician-specialists in manipulative medicine; and
c) contributing to a growing health science center-wide initiative in musculoskeletal and physical medicine research.
Program Highlights:
- Well-rounded education in all aspects of contemporary physical therapy.
- Special emphasis on musculoskeletal and orthopedic care.
- Team teaching of Manual Therapy classes by physical therapy faculty and physician-specialists in osteopathic manipulative medicine, a first in physical therapy education.
- Opportunity to learn in a research-intensive health science center environment in a nationally designated Osteopathic Research Center and a newly planned 7000-square foot Musculoskeletal Research Center.
- Enjoy a low student-faculty ratio that ensures close contact with and continuous mentoring by physical therapy faculty.
- Share interdisciplinary education experiences with students in medical school and physician assistant programs at the health science center. Study together in classroom and clinical settings as partners in shaping the health care teams of the future.
The Department and the
University:
The Department of Physical Therapy
is the first academic department in the new School of Health Professions at
UNTHSC and is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping this school. Additional
health professions programs will be proposed including occupational therapy.
UNTHSC belongs to the three-campus University of North Texas System, is regionally accredited and is recognized as one of the state's fastest growing health science centers. UNTHSC currently includes three schools - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Public Health - in addition to the new School of Health Professions. With more than 1200 students and 300 full-time faculty, annual extramural research support of approximately $30 million, and a new master plan designed to double the size of the current campus, the health science center is poised to greatly enhance its already successful educational programs, fast-growing research initiatives and critically important health care service to the community and state.
Program Approval/Accreditation:
University of
North Texas Health Science Center has received Preliminary Authority to plan for
a DPT program from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and
recently filed with them an official request for approval to offer the DPT
degree. Implementation of the DPT program is contingent upon receiving final
approval of THECB.
UNTHSC is seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone 703-706-3245; accreditation @apta.org). The program will submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the accreditation stage. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status nor does it assure that the program will be granted accreditation.
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award master's and doctoral degrees.
Expected Admissions Requirements:1
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours of coursework
- Completion of the Graduate Record Examination
- Two letters of reference from physical therapists at two different facilities where you have completed a minimum of 20 hours work or volunteer service.
- Admissions interview is required.
Expected Required Prerequisite Courses:1
- Two semesters each of: psychology, biology, chemistry (w/lab), and physics (w/lab)
- Two semesters of anatomy and/or physiology
- One semester of algebra
- One semester of statistics or trigonometry
- Competency in medical terminology
1Note: All admissions requirements are tentative. Final admissions requirements to be posted here in August 2008.
Clinical Experiences:
You will have
opportunities to learn at clinical sites across the DFW area and the nation,
including opportunities to train in smaller communities throughout Texas.
Additional Information:
In addition to updated
information posted on this site, you may contact the Office of the Dean at (817)
735-2510 or email at wanderso@hsc.unt.edu, with
further questions about the planned program.
This page last updated Apr 23, 2008
