General Program Description
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a full-time weekend program that provides graduates with the academic and clinical expertise to examine, evaluate, diagnose, and intervene in the management of impairments, functional limitations and disabilities of the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and integumentary systems. The DPT Program prepares graduates to practice as autonomous entry-level practitioners capable of providing administration, consultation, education and research in the physical therapy profession. Upon successful completion of the first year of the Program, students are granted a BS in Health Science. After successful completion of the remaining coursework, a DPT degree is awarded. The program, especially designed for the motivated adult learner, incorporates self-directed learning throughout the curriculum. Classes are held on weekends during the fall, spring and summer trimesters from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on Sundays. Classes are held between 9 to 15 weekends each semester.
Clinical Experiences
Practical skills are gained through four full-time 8-week clinical education assignments. Basic Clinical Education is completed between the second and third years, and Advanced Clinical Education I, II and III are taken at the completion of the third year.
Faculty
Six core faculty and three lecturers form the basis of the program faculty. They are assisted by numerous clinicians in laboratory instruction. Three of the full-time faculty hold post professional doctoral degrees, four are certified as clinical specialists, and five are engaged in clinical practice. Over the past 3 years, the faculty has averaged four publications in peer-reviewed journals. The faculty to student ratio is 1:10 in the lab.
Enrollment
Mercy College has a total student enrollment of 9,500. The physical therapy program accepts approximately 28 students per year.
Admission
All candidates for the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy must file an application with PTCAS at www.ptcas.org. Completed applications have to be submitted by January 15th. If you would like your fall coursework to apply towards your application, please follow the directions on the PTCAS website for submitting an academic update. The program begins in September. A complete application includes: graduate application form, application fee, official transcripts, Physical Therapy Prerequisite form, GRE score, essay, letters of recommendation, and work experience forms. Candidates with a science GPA of 3.6 or higher can submit applications by October 15 for consideration for early decision. If not accepted for early decision, applications will be considered with the regular pool of applicants. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are required to complete only the following prerequisite courses: 3 credits in each: Developmental Psychology and Statistics; and 4 credits in each: Biology I; Anatomy and Physiology I and II; General Chemistry I and II, and General physics I and II. Students who do not have a bachelor’s degree are required to complete 60 credits in general education in addition to the prerequisite courses. Other required admissions criteria include: GRE and a personal statement on why you are choosing a career in physical therapy. Applications are accepted from September 15 – January 15. Applications are reviewed and ranked according to the grade point average (GPA) of seven of the required science prerequisite coursework. Qualified applicants, based on GPA rank, will be invited for an interview from late fall through the early spring. Notice of admission occurs in mid-late March. Early decisions are made in February. The majority of students are transfers, and there is no state residency requirement. The male-female ratio is 1:1, the average student age is 29 years, and the average GPA is 3.4 and 33% of qualified applicants are admitted to the program (3-year average).
Outcomes
The ultimate pass rate for classes 2011-2013 as reported by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy is 91%. Approximately 80% of the admitted students graduated from the program and 100% of the graduates who sought employment are employed.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2014-15 academic year is $26,820. A description of all financial aid programs may be obtained by writing the Director of Financial Aid, at the above address. The physical therapy program disseminates information regarding financial aid opportunities available to its students.
Student life
An on-campus dormitory is available at Mercy College, and the College maintains an off-campus housing office to assist students in locating suitable accommodations. For information, contact The Office of Student Activities and Housing, at the above address or call 914/674-7277.