General Program Description
Florida A&M University (FAMU) was founded on October 3, 1887, as the State Normal College for Colored Students. Today, FAMU offers a total of 98 degree programs. The university offers 54 bachelor’s degrees, 29 master’s degrees, 3 professional degrees and 12 doctoral degrees. The three professional degrees include the J.D., Pharm.D., and the Doctor of Physical Therapy. The 12 doctoral degree programs include 11 Ph.D. degrees and 1 Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). The Ph.D. degrees include the following: biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, educational leadership, environmental science, and entomology.
Clinical Experiences
Two full-time, 8-week experiences are provided in the spring of the second year in various practice settings i.e. acute care, orthopedics, neurological, rehabilitation, or pediatric facilities. The final clinical experience span 16-weeks experiences in a setting that may encompass the student’s special interest area. Clinical experiences are located in a wide geographical area on the US mainland.
Faculty
There are seven full-time faculty members. Five of the full-time faculty hold post-professional doctoral degrees and two are certified clinical specialist. The faculty to student ratio is 1:13.
Enrollment
Total enrollment for Florida A&M University is approximately 11,000. The anticipated physical therapy class size is 35 students.
Admission
Students are accepted at the graduate level, annually in August. Admission into the professional phase of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is competitive. Prerequisite courses include: 3 hours in each: psychology, statistics, human growth and development; 4 hours of biology; and 8 semester hours in each: physics, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology (each semester of science must have a laboratory). Students must complete a baccalaureate degree prior entering the program. A minimum of 10 hours of experience in a physical therapy setting is also required. Application deadline is January 15.
Outcomes
72% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The approximate annual cost of attendance is $22,828 for residents living off campus, and $33,922 for nonresidents living off campus. For specific information contact the Office of Student Financial Aid, Florida A&M University, Foote-Hilyer Administration Center, Tallahassee, FL 32307-3200 or http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?FinancialAid&CostofAttendance.
Student life
A variety of limited housing facilities is available including residence halls, university-owned apartments, fraternity houses, and married student housing. Off-campus housing is available, but the student must assume responsibility for securing this type of arrangement. The university is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for men’s and women’s sports. The university is located in Tallahassee, amidst the hills of northern Florida and on the highest of seven hills in the city on a 419-acre campus.