General Program Description
The professional DPT program is a 3-year program that combines academic and clinical experiences. The program begins in June and concludes with the last two of three clinical experiences in May of the third year. The full course of study is 104 credits. The program is available to full-time students only.
Clinical Experiences
Clinical experiences are arranged by the Physical Therapy Program and may be completed in any area of the United States. Students will complete 32 weeks of clinical experiences in the professional phase of the program as follows: 10 weeks during the summer following year 1 of studies; and two final experiences – 10 weeks and 12 weeks in length – during the late fall and spring of the third year. Students graduate in May of their third year following successful completion of these final two clinical experiences.
Faculty
There are eleven full-time faculty, one half time faculty, and 5 part-time faculty. All full time faculty are doctorally prepared and four faculty are ABPTS clinical specialists. Most faculty maintain clinical practice and all faculty have active research programs. Faculty research themes include aspects of human performance, disability and musculoskeletal assessment and intervention, and pediatric and adult balance.
Enrollment
The university has an enrollment of approximately 5,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students. The physical therapy program is designed to have 40 students per class.
Admission
Students are accepted into the BS/DPT program as freshman and to the DPT as post-baccalaureate entrants. A 3.2 GPA is required of BS/DPT students for continued matriculation into the professional portion of the program. Prerequisites for matriculation into the professional program include Biology: 4 credits (1 course with lab); Human Anatomy: 4 credits (one course with lab); Human Physiology: 4 credits (1 course with lab, when anatomy and physiology are a combined course, two semesters are necessary to meet the requirements); Chemistry: 8 credits (a two course sequence in general chemistry with labs); Physics: 8 credits (two course sequence with labs); Statistics: 3 credits (one course to include descriptive statistics, correlation, and introduction to inferential statistics); Pre-calculus or trigonometry: 3 credits; Psychology: 9 credits, (including Introduction, Developmental and Abnormal); Exercise Physiology: 3-4 credits; Humanities: 9-12 credits; and Social Sciences 9-12 credits. Undergraduate application materials can be obtained by calling 860/768-4171 or 800/947-4303 for the BS/DPT. Information regarding applying for post-baccalaureate entrance can be obtained by calling Graduate and Adult Academic Services, University of Hartford 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117-1599; phone, 860/768-5103.
Outcomes
The graduation rate, licensure pass rate and employment rate for the University of Hartford for the last three years includes: a graduation rate of 90.4% (2011-2013); a licensure pass rate of 97.59% (2010-2012); and an employment rate of 98.6% (2011-2013).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition (12-18 credits) for the 2014-15 academic year is $33,740; DPT program tuition is $10,374 per semester, $5,250 for the first summer semester and $1,700 for each of the three clinical affiliations. Undergraduate Financial Aid: financial assistance is available to full-time students seeking their first degree and is awarded on the basis of need and scholarship. Information regarding financial resources can be obtained from the University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 860/768-4300 or 800/947-4303. Graduate Financial Aid: Financial aid is available to domestic students in the form of loans. To receive federal financial assistance, including Stafford Loans, students are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More information can be obtained through the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 860/768-4300. Limited teaching/research assistantships are also available.
Student life
The University of Hartford is located within minutes of downtown Hartford, a diverse city offering museums, theaters, traveling Broadway shows, opera performances, and musical concerts. The Hartford XL Center, a large complex in the center of the city, hosts many sports activities, including professional hockey and basketball, as well as many concerts by top musical performers. The city also boasts many fine restaurants, shops, and nightspots. New York City and Boston are easily accessible by car, train, and bus. Parks, hiking trails and river activities are within minutes of the university. Ocean beaches are approximately one hour south, and some of the area’s finest ski resorts are located north of the university.