General Program Description

Elon has taken pride in developing an outstanding educational program from the inception. Partnering with Cone Health-Alamance Regional Medical Center, the program began as a Master of Physical Therapy in 1998, and transitioned to a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. Elon’s DPT program produces highly skilled, clinical generalists. Alumni exemplify compassion for individuals of every age, means and ethnicity, and are prepared for leadership, possessing professional integrity as they become part of the healthcare team. Alamance Regional’s values mirror those of Elon University: excellence, compassion, efficiency, creativity and leadership. The partnership with Alamance Regional provides continuing professional growth for the physical therapy faculty and offers clinical and research opportunities for students. Elon’s three-year modular curriculum is carefully designed to build on a solid science foundation while integrating hands-on clinical practicums. Each module is made up of related courses, and the length of the modules – ranging from four to 24 weeks — is driven by course content. The program begins in January, allowing graduates to enter the job market in December —a different time than most schools. The Elon DPT program includes 48 weeks of clinical practice — above the national average. Beginning the second year, students complete three eight-week clinical practicums. Elon has contacts at more than 550 patient-care settings in 39 states. The program culminates with a 24-week internship, generally at select North and South Carolina facilities that have developed clinical and research partnerships with Elon. In order to keep pace with the increasing demand for physical therapists, the DPT program expanded the scope of its offerings. Beginning January 2012, classes moved to the new Gerald L. Francis Center, a state-of-the-art facility that houses Elon’s newly established School of Health Sciences. As part of the program’s continued dedication to a low student-faculty ratio a new faculty member will be employed as the cohort grows from 36 to 44.

Clinical Experiences
After the completion of Year I (January through December), the DPT student will incorporate didactic knowledge during the 8-week Clinical Practicum I course in one of approximately 550 Elon-affiliated health care facilities in more than 35 states. Continuing in Year II, in April the DPT student will return to campus for a 16-week module that focuses on the client with neurological problems. The consecutive 8-week Clinical Practicums (II & III) course in an Elon affiliated rehabilitation health care facility, Skilled Nursing Facility, and/or Acute Care hospital complete the second year. At the end of Year II, the DPT student will return to campus for approximately 7 months of study. Before going on a 24-week Internship, the student will have a 6-week module in a selective track tailored to prepare the student with advanced clinical skills for the Internship. The Internship will have carefully planned weekly curricular objectives so the students’ transition to the clinical environment will be almost seamless. There will be a very close relationship developed among the students, preceptors, and Elon University faculty. Incorporation of technology, as well as on-site faculty visits, will provide methods to communicate and achieve curricular goals for DPT students. Additionally, a Global Learning Opportunity program was created in 2013 to offer clinical and/or service-learning experiences that take place off campus in a professionally relevant setting. Graduates will be prepared as clinical generalists to provide services throughout the broad spectrum of care, including but not limited to intensive care, acute care, rehabilitation, outpatient, home care and skilled nursing. Physical therapists work as members of the health-care team, and they function as the point of entry into the health-care system.

Faculty
There are fourteen full-time and seven part-time faculty positions. Currently, 100% of the full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees, four are certified as clinical specialists in geriatrics, neurology, and orthopedics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and one is a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM). Twelve of the 14 full-time faculty are physical therapists; one faculty member is an occupational therapist who has a clinical expertise in hand rehabilitation; and another has a Ph.D. and post-doc in biomechanics. Three of the four part-time faculty are physical therapists and hold doctoral degrees (DPT), one is a certified clinical specialist in orthopedics from the ABPTS, and one is a lymphedema specialist. The fourth part-time faculty member is a speech-language pathologist and hospital administrator. Last year, faculty averaged 3.5 publications and presentations through a peer-reviewed process. Elon DPT faculty also give local, state, and national presentations at conferences annually. The faculty to student ratio is 1:9.5 students with a goal of 44 students per class. The faculty for the program are academically well prepared and bring a balance of clinical expertise and research experience to both the classroom and the clinical skills courses. Eight of the full-time faculty continue to practice in their area of clinical expertise. The faculty work cooperatively to prepare the Elon graduate to be a clinical generalist. The curriculum includes many unique active-learning opportunities for the student. Classes and laboratories are small so that the student-faculty ratio creates an environment where faculty members are accessible to students. Faculty serve as role models for students through their participation in teaching, research, clinical practice, and community service. Faculty are active in leadership positions with the APTA at the district, state, and national level.

Enrollment
The University has an enrollment of 5,599 undergraduate students. There are approximately 706 graduate students in the six graduate programs: MBA, MEd, DPT, PA, M.A. in Interactive Media and Law. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program enrolls a class of 44 students each January.

Admission
Students may apply through PTCAS (www.ptcas.org). DPT applicants must possess an undergraduate degree in a field other than physical therapy. The following prerequisite courses must be successfully completed by time of matriculation: 6 science courses: the applicant must have 6 natural and/or life sciences courses selected from the following (3-credit hour course or higher with lab): Biology, Chemistry, Human Anatomy/Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Pathology and/or Physics. In addition, applicants must have 1 psychology course. Also, the students must submit official Graduate Record Examination scores for all 3 sections. In addition to the completed application, 3 letters of recommendation forms must be submitted, a personal statement, work/volunteer experience form, and official transcripts of all undergraduate courses. Admission to the DPT program is highly selective. The most qualified candidates will be invited for a personal interview on the university campus.

Outcomes
Of the students entering the DPT program in January of 2009, 2010, and 2011 (Graduates in December of 2011, 2012, and 2013) there was a 100% graduation rate. The total percent who passed the National Physical Therapy licensure examination from the Classes of 2011, 2012, and 2013 is 99.17%. Every year since 2000 when the charter MPT class graduated from Elon’s program, 100% of all graduates from the program who desired to be employed in the field of physical therapy have been successful in finding employment within a short time after graduation.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for January – December 2015 is set at $34,680. There are no additional fees except graduation fees. Students are responsible for all costs associated with clinical education. Elon University is a private school; therefore, tuition rates are the same for both in-state students and out-of -state students. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Elon University Financial Aid Application to be considered for financial aid. The primary source of financial assistance for physical therapy students attending Elon University will be the federal Stafford Student Loan Program. Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 through the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program. The student will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. For students who need financial assistance beyond the $20,500 Stafford Loan maximum, there is the federal Graduate PLUS Loan program. Elon participates in the Forgivable Education Loans for Service program. Created by the 2011 NC General Assembly, this program is a forgivable loan providing funding for students pursing degrees in certain critical fields. Students must be NC residents. Doctor of Physical Therapy students may be eligible for up to $14,000 annually. A limited number of DPT scholarships ranging from $5,000-$14,000 annually will be awarded to students who have demonstrated academic ability and talent as well as an enthusiasm and commitment to the physical therapy profession. Every admitted student will be considered for scholarship in light of all academic work, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, interview scores, and demonstrated leadership ability. Students will be notified of their award at the time of acceptance if selected. Students who receive a scholarship are required to maintain good academic and professional standing in the program. Elon’s DPT program is participating in the federal government’s Yellow Ribbon Program, designed to assist post-9/11 veterans with secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities. Elon’s DPT program will contribute $5,000 to three post-9/11 veterans on a first-come, first-serve basis, which will be matched by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. DPT candidates and students are encouraged to apply to clubs, organizations, corporations, agencies and foundations for funding that may be used at any school the student chooses to attend. These groups may be able to offer students scholarship and grant funding that does not have to be repaid. In addition, many hospitals and rehabilitation centers offer tuition reimbursement for students who contract to work at their facility after graduation for a specified period of time. Students should inquire about this possibility at the facility where they are interested in working. Students may also obtain a listing of potential funding sources by reviewing the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website.

Student life
The PT program is located in the Gerald L. Francis Center, home of the School of Health Sciences. The Francis Center includes 50,000 square feet dedicated to the doctor of physical therapy program and the master of physician assistant studies program. The physical therapy program’s dedicated teaching space includes three classrooms, a biomechanics lab, neuropediatrics lab, musculoskeletal lab, simulation exam rooms and an osteology lab. Shared space with the PA program includes a human donor anatomy lab, locker rooms and numerous student common spaces. New teaching and research equipment includes a second Biodex system for campus, a Qualisys gait analysis and rehabilitation system, which includes 12 cameras and a 16-channel wireless EMG system, plus two force plates and a Robomedica system. The state-of-the-art Belk Library features the latest in information technology and is located at the center of campus, convenient to all graduate program classrooms. It is uniquely designed to integrate print, electronic and audiovisual resources, with an extensive program of research, tutoring and technical support available during all hours 8 of operation to assist students and faculty. More than 200 Macintosh and Windows desktop computers and wireless laptop computers offer access to the online catalog. The student center is located at the Moseley Center with 74,000 square feet of space for student activities. Also, there is the Belk Pool and Stuart Fitness Center where students gather to maintain health and wellness. All student services are available to PT students. Elon University plays in NCAA Division I athletics and students may attend (at no charge) all games on campus by using their student identification. There are many cultural and social opportunities offered throughout the year with students having the opportunity to attend at no charge. Elon’s historic 502-acre wooded campus is ideally situated in central North Carolina adjacent to Burlington, a city of 52,000 and midway between the mountains and the beach. Majestic oak trees surround the campus’ ivy-covered brick buildings and facilities. The University is a 30-minute drive from UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, and 20 minutes from Greensboro, a city that regularly offers major concerts and sporting events. A dozen other colleges and universities are less than an hour’s drive away. Airline services are conveniently located at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro and at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Amtrak serves Greensboro and Raleigh with daily connections to Burlington.