General Program Description

The DPT program at Chapman is grounded in science, as a basic understanding of how the body works and heals itself provides a foundation upon which clinical reasoning can be developed. The curriculum leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy requires 3 calendar years of full-time enrollment and consists of 125 units, with clinical experiences integrated through the program. Chapman’s DPT program is the longest nationally accredited PT program in the United States, originating as part of Childrens Hospital in LA with an original accreditation date of 1928. The mission of the program is to foster the development of professionals who are exceptional clinicians, skilled at providing ethical care, informed in evidence based practice and mentored in good clinical judgement. Faculty members strive to teach lifelong learning and to prepare students to be leaders in health promotion. The Chapman DPT program is developed and presented with a guiding philosophy founded in academic rigor. Clinical reasoning is emphasized, including the ability to gather and utilize emergent data as well as the selection and interpretation of individual tests and measures. Faculty members strive to remain current and provide contemporary top-quality education through regular updates of courses, integration of evidence, and engaging students in the learning and development process, both professionally and as clinicians. The DPT program has moved to a new Ranker Graduate Health Science campus this Fall (2014). The DPT students will share educational experiences with other graduate health science students including those in Pharmacy Doctorate and Physician Assistant programs of study. Collaborative care, wellness, and health care technologies will be emphasized to prepare students for the new health care environment.

Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences begin in the first year of the program and are followed by three full trimesters of offsite clinical mentoring for a total of at least 42 weeks of clinical experiences. These clinical experiences are located throughout California and nationwide. The final clinical experience is 16 weeks in length and may be arranged in an area of special focus to be negotiated between the student, a faculty sponsor, and a clinical sponsor. In addition, you will have the opportunity to select your final clinical experience as an international experience in Costa Rica.

Faculty
Our faculty are considered by the students to be our greatest strength, representing a blend of qualifications academically and clinically. Their backgrounds span a variety of areas from neuroscience to orthopedics and include several specialty certifications including pediatrics, orthopedic, geriatric, neurologic and cardiopulmonary specialists. Over the past 3 years, the faculty have publications in peer-reviewed journals, books and book chapters, as well as peer reviewed and invited presentations at National meetings. All faculty are committed to the personalized education mission of the University. The ratio of full time faculty to total number of students is 1:14.

Enrollment
The physical therapy program accepts up to 48 students for each new physical therapy class. Annually, courses begin in the Fall and students continue through the program as a cohort. For the fall 2014 academic year, the entering class has an average cumulative GPA of 3.48, and an average prerequisite GPA of 3.63, with a combined GRE score of 327. Beginning in 2015, we will be admitting a new (2nd) cohort. As part of the move to a new health science campus, Chapman University has begun a new enrollment process for those individuals who desire to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy program. In addition to a new campus with additional equipment and faculty, we will be adding a new cohort! We look forward to reading your applications.

Admission
Chapman University participates in the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) as well as the Early Decision (ED) option PTCAS offers. All students must have at least a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for regular admission and 3.5 for early admission. Prerequisite course work includes a 1-year sequence of chemistry (w/labs) and physics (w/labs); 2 courses in biology and 1 in psychology; one course in each of human anatomy (w/lab), human physiology (w/lab) and statistics. GRE scores are required and weighted along with the GPA. The deadline for students applying for the DPT program in either the summer or the fall is now combined together in mid November.

Outcomes
The program enjoys excellent outcome measures including an above average pass rate on the licensure exam (for the past 6 years, 100% of all students taking the exam passed). All students who wish to be employed are successful in finding employment (100% employment).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the DPT program is currently $12,130 per trimester. University fees are about $2500 for the year and additional expenses across the entire program total about $6000. These expenses do not include housing or food expenses, and do not include clinical education travel expenses, which are variable according to student choice. Physical therapy students who desire financial aid are able to obtain aid. Aid may be in the form of government loans or private loans and some students may also be eligible for scholarship money as well. For specific information, contact the Chapman University Financial Aid Office.

Student life
The Physical Therapy program started in 1910 at Childrens Hospital. APTA historical records indicate that this program was originally accredited in 1928 and is now the oldest continually accredited physical therapy education program in the United States. Responding to the increasing complexity and responsibilities within the profession of physical therapy, the school expanded its curriculum and affiliated with Chapman University in 1985 and, in 1993, the school was fully integrated into the university. The university is now located at the Rinker Health Science campus in South Orange County in Southern California (Irvine, CA). The campus is close to Newport Beach, Disneyland and the University of California at Irvine. Outdoor recreation is year round and ranges from easy access to the ski slopes in the winter to surfing, swimming, and boating throughout the year. The program promotes balance in curricular and extra-curricular activities and facilitates a camaraderie among the students and with the faculty.