General Program Description
The program consists of eight semesters of didactic and clinical work, beginning in the fall semester. The professional curriculum is year-round, with students attending two summers and graduating at the end of the 3rd spring semester. Students must complete a total of 102 semester credit hours at the graduate level. The curriculum is designed to encourage problem solving and application of information through presentation of clinical cases using a holistic approach to patient care. Students are encouraged to participate in faculty research as well as initiate independent scholarly work.
Clinical Experiences
Opportunities to visit and interact in clinical environments are interspersed throughout the curriculum. Students participate in a five week part-time clinical practicum during the second semester. During the second half of the first summer, students complete a 6-week clinical internship prior to returning to the classroom. During the 2nd summer, students participate in two 6-week clinical internships. They then complete two 8-week internships during the final spring semester. Clinical facilities are concentrated in the southeastern US but are available nationwide.
Faculty
There are eight full-time and one part-time core faculty members. Seven of the full-time faculty hold post-professional doctoral degrees, four are certified as clinical specialists. Faculty are actively involved in research and professional organizations at both the local and national level. The faculty to student ratio is 1:12.
Enrollment
Total enrollment at the University of North Florida is approximately 18,000 students. The physical therapy program accepts a maximum of 36 students per year. Approximately 90% of the students admitted to the physical therapy program are Florida residents.
Admission
To be considered for admission, students must apply to the program by February 15 of the year for which they wish to be admitted. Prior to enrolling in professional courses, students must have the following credentials: 1) a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of North Florida. Students may select any major that represents personal interests and abilities. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program will be admitted contingent upon successful completion of the bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in graduate courses, 2) completion of all prerequisite courses within 7 years prior to application. Students completing courses prior to the 7-year period may request special consideration and be asked to demonstrate competency through completion of subsequent academic coursework, standardized testing, or professional experience. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in prerequisite courses will be admitted contingent upon successful completion of all courses with a grade of B or higher in each course. 3) a 3.0 GPA or higher in all prerequisites. At least 5 of the 7 science prerequisites must be completed by time of application. 4) a 3.0 GPA or higher in all work attempted as an upper-level student, normally the 60 semester hours taken during the last two years of undergraduate study and an official score report from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) from within the past 5 years OR a composite score of 1,000 or more on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE from within the past 5 years. 5) documentation of a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer/observation experience under supervision of a physical therapist. Prerequisite courses include: college chemistry 2 semesters with lab; college physics 2 semesters with lab; general biology 2 semesters with lab; human physiology 1 semester (Note: students may substitute 1 semester of general biology and 2 semesters of anatomy/physiology for the 2 semesters of biology and the semester of human physiology.); psychology 1 semester general psych; 1 semester lifespan development statistics 1 semester taught by statistics department.
Outcomes
The program’s 3-year graduation rate is 80%. The program’s 3-year ultimate pass rate on the licensure exam is 100%. The program’s 3-year employment rate for those seeking employment is 100%.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition per graduate credit hour is approximately $336 for Florida residents and $1084 for non-Florida residents. 35% of all University of North Florida students receive financial aid. Federal loans and other forms of assistance are available to students who qualify. A limited number of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are available to physical therapy students through competitive application.
Student life
Approximately 10% of the student body live on campus in dormitories and furnished apartments. Convenient off-campus housing is available in a wide price range. Intercollegiate and intramural athletics as well as varied recreational opportunities enhance the college experience. Cultural, educational and social activities are sponsored by UNF and the Jacksonville community. The 1000-acre UNF campus is conveniently designed and provides a peaceful national environment. UNF has easy access to Interstate 95, Jacksonville beaches, and downtown Jacksonville. The nature preserve surrounding campus provides walking trails, lakes, and picnic areas.