General Program Description

Our 3 year entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program delivers, within a Christian environment, the knowledge base and clinical skills that will prepare students for contemporary physical therapy practice across the full spectrum of physical therapy services. The faculty of the program are exceptionally well prepared to teach in their area of expertise and are committed to helping students reach their maximum potential. Faculty members also serve as mentors to students for clinical practice, research and professional service to the community. Students are encouraged to help each other succeed through student-to-student peer coaching. Students learn the art of caring while developing the skills required to perform a physical therapy examination and evaluation, establish a differential diagnosis, and provide direct physical therapy intervention for their clients as independent practitioners. Graduates receive two degrees: a Bachelor of Health Science after completion of their first year and the Doctor of Physical Therapy upon completion of the program. The DPT program is accredited by CAPTE and is one of the few CAPTE-accredited programs to receive accreditation without having to write a progress report. Graduates are eligible to take the licensure exam in the state of their choice.

Clinical Experiences
The clinical education component of the curriculum comprises 39 weeks of full-time clinical training spaced throughout the 3-year professional program. Andrews University is affiliated with approximately 500 clinical education centers located predominately in the United States but also includes countries such as Argentina, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Faculty
The Physical Therapy Department has nine core faculty members along with approximately eleven associate faculty and many guest lecturers. A large majority of the core faculty hold post professional doctoral degrees or are currently completing one. All core faculty are actively engaged in research and regularly publish or present their findings at state or national conferences. The core faculty-to-student ratio is 1:15.

Enrollment
Andrews University is a Christian university with an enrollment of approximately 3,400 students participating in associate to doctoral level programs. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program accepts 40 students per year from a nationwide pool of applicants.

Admission
Andrews University Physical Therapy program has a rolling admissions process and all applicants must apply through PTCAS. Admission to the DPT program requires just three years of college coursework which includes 92 semester credits of science and general education courses with at least 15 upper division credits from three or more content areas. Persons holding a bachelor’s degree or higher may also apply, however a bachelor’s is not required. Minimum GPA requirements include a 3.2 in both science and overall prerequisites, however, to be competitive a 3.5 science and overall GPA is preferred. Other requirements include 80 hours of clinical observation and a minimum composite (Verbal and Quantitative) GRE score of 800 (prior to August 1, 2011) or 270 (after August 1, 2011) is required and a minimum Writing score of 3.0. Applications are accepted when a minimum of four or more prerequisite science courses and a minimum of 64 semester credits have been completed. Applicants who have been given any part of their education outside the US or Canada or whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Eligible applicants are invited for a personal interview. Each new class begins fall semester. For an Information/Application Packet contact the Physical Therapy Admissions Office at 800/827-2878 (menu option 0) or [email protected]. Information may also be downloaded through Acrobat Reader at http://www.andrews.edu/shp/pt/.

Outcomes
Of our DPT graduates, 99% pass the licensure exam, and 100% of those reporting are employed within six months after graduation (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2014-15 academic year is $32,136 and there is a professional fee of $1,200 per year. Andrews University is a private Christian university; therefore state residency is not required. Scholarships, loans and graduate assistantships are available to qualified physical therapy students and the majority of the students receive financial aid. Financial aid personnel are committed to assisting students and welcome early requests for securing needed educational funds. For further information go to http://www.andrews.edu/shp/pt/entry-level/costs_dpt.html. You may also contact Student Financial Services at 800/253-2874, or the Physical Therapy Department at 800/827-2878.

Student life
Andrews University is an international community with the student body representing 98 countries across the globe. The campus is situated on 1,600 beautifully landscaped acres and designated as an arboretum. Parking is easily accessible at all campus locations. Dormitories and apartments are located on and around the campus. Berrien Springs is a rural community located 2 hours east of Chicago, 3 hours west of Detroit, and 30 minutes north of the University of Notre Dame. A commercial airport and Amtrak train station is located in South Bend, Indiana, 25 minutes away. The Andrews University campus and surrounding communities offer work and recreational opportunities. The sandy beaches of Lake Michigan, major shopping malls, sporting arenas and a large variety of restaurants and entertainment are available within 30 minutes.