General Program Description
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (formerly UMDNJ) is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and continuing education of health professionals and scientists. The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) North Program located in Newark, New Jersey is a full-time 3-year program that prepares students to enter the physical therapy profession. The program emphasizes the development of problem solving processes as well as foundational research knowledge to support evidence-based practice and life-long learning. This comprehensive 110 credit graduate program prepares students for leadership roles within the profession through its vibrant and supportive educational environment that attracts and nurtures the very best faculty and students. The physical therapy department has a rich tradition of academic excellence in education, research, patient care and community service. The first year of the academic program begins in August and ends in May. This didactic portion of the curriculum is followed by an 8-week full-time clinical experience. The second year begins in September and is completed in June. The third year of the program is composed of three full-time clinical rotations. The department also offers a a PhD for experienced therapists and a joint PhD/DPT.
Clinical Experiences
The 3 years of professional course work include 42 weeks of practical clinical experiences in a wide variety of settings. In addition to over 400 affiliating facilities the program provides on-site experiences through University Hospital and our school-based physical therapy faculty practice. There is also a student run pro bono clinic offering students direct access patient care experiences.
Faculty
There are 24 full-time faculty members. There are 18 core-teaching faculty all hold post-professional doctoral degrees and 12 have terminal doctoral degrees and five are certified as clinical specialists. Six of the faculty are engaged in the clinical faculty practice. Over the past 3 years, the faculty has averaged ten publications per year in peer-reviewed journals. The faculty to student ratio is 1:7.
Enrollment
The Rutgers University School of Health Related Professions has over 1,000 students enrolled in 40 specialties. Sixty-fiver students are accepted annually into the physical therapy program.
Admission
There are two routes of entry into this collaborative 3-year program at Rutgers. College graduates with a bachelor’s degree apply directly to Rutgers . High school seniors and transfer students may apply to affiliating colleges and universities. Forty-four applicants are admitted each year using the following criteria: satisfactory grade point average (A-B range); satisfactory scores on all three sections (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the Graduate Record Examination; and knowledge of the field through actual work or volunteer experience. Prerequisites for admission include 3 credits in each of the following: Advanced Math, (Pre Calc, Calculus), statistics, and psychology; and 8 credits in each of the following: anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and physics. Applications must be submitted to PTCAS by October 1st to be considered.
Outcomes
98% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3 year average 2011-2013). For those graduates choosing to work immediately following graduation, 100% were employed following receipt of their license (NJ state law does not permit temporary licenses).
Tuition, fees and financial aid
The cost per credit for the program is $625 for in-state and $938 for out-of-state residents. Books and laboratory fees are approximately $1,500 per year. Financial aid is available through Rutgers .
Student life
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is a young, dynamic institution of higher education dedicated, ranked in the top 50 of University in the world. The school and Program are dedicated to the best in health profession education, research, and service to the community and state. This academic health science center is conveniently located near northern New Jersey suburbs as well as the New York metropolitan area. Many students live in the newly construcrted residence hall or in apartments in the surrounding suburban communities.