General Program Description

This nine semester (3 full calendar year) program is designed to educate the student as a general practitioner in physical therapy. An emphasis on critical thinking and ethical decision-making provides the basis for a systems-based curriculum which promotes the delivery of effective and compassionate patient care. The University’s mission of “Learning, Leadership, and Service in the Jesuit Tradition” is reflected in all aspects of the physical therapy program.

Clinical Experiences
Students participate in short-term, part-time clinical experiences during the first year of the program. In the second year, students complete a short-term, full-time clinical experience. Beginning in the third year, students participate in 33 weeks of full-time clinical experience, including a specialty assignment of their choice. Students are required to participate in a variety of clinical experiences, consistent with the general practice of physical therapy. Clinical sites are available throughout the United States.

Faculty
There are ten full-time and five part-time faculty members. Of the full-time faculty 90% hold postprofessional doctoral degrees, and eight are engaged in clinical practice. Over the past 3 years, the faculty has averaged two publications in peer-reviewed journals. The faculty to student ratio is 1:12.

Enrollment
Total enrollment for Rockhurst University is approximately 3,000 students. The physical therapy program accepts up to 44 students each year. Total current enrollment is 98 students (23 men, 75 women).

Admission
Graduate school applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree prior to enrollment and should have a cumulative and science grade point average of at least 3.00. Prerequisites include English, communication, ethics, developmental psychology, biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, and statistics. Prospective students can get more information about the program online at http://www.rockhurst.edu/academic/pt/index.html and can apply online at https://oracleweb.rockhurst.edu. 80% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).

Outcomes
85% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average). 95.0% of graduates pass the licensure examination on first try, 100% on re-take (3-year average). 100% of graduates responding to surveys reported finding a job within six months of graduation (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition is $635 per credit for graduate students. Seventy percent of full-time graduate students receive financial aid, which is primarily in the form of loans. The department offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to students enrolled in the program. Check with the department for more information.

Student life
Located in Kansas City, the Rockhurst University comprises 10 buildings. Eighty-two percent of the freshmen and 63% of the sophomores live on campus in dorms. The student body is diverse, with representatives from 26 states and 20 foreign countries. A townhouse complex is available for upperclassmen and graduate students. Intercollegiate athletics include soccer, cross country, tennis, golf, volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball, and baseball. The airport is 35 miles from the campus.