General Program Description

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a comprehensive degree designed to prepare clinicians who can think critically and solve problems; apply scientifically validated therapeutic skills and techniques effectively; respect the uniqueness, dignity, and diversity of the individual; and understand the responsibilities of the health care provider in the 21st century. Faculty and students are members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and participate at the national and state levels by attending professional meetings and presenting research findings. The Physical Therapy Program’s mission and philosophy grow from the liberal arts and sciences tradition of the College as the basis for educating responsible physical therapists. From the inaugural graduating class of 1999 to the present, the College has been privileged to participate in the education and development of proficient, caring, and well rounded physical therapists as evidenced by comments from clinical instructors and employers. The College of Mount St. Joseph Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a three year program, using a 4 + 3 model. Students complete an undergraduate degree in an area of their choice prior to entering the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Students must earn an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and meet all admission requirements to be eligible for admission to the Mount’s DPT program. The Mount’s DPT curriculum threads the themes of patient/client management; professionalism; service; communication; critical inquiry; education and practice management throughout a progressive sequence of didactic, laboratory and clinical experiences.

Clinical Experiences
Students complete Forty-two (42) weeks of full-time clinical internship experiences during the DPT program. Internships range from 8-10 weeks in length and must be completed on a full-time basis. Clinical internships are completed off campus and may involve travel and/or relocation. Typically, the College maintains over 300 clinical sites in 27 states and Canada.

Enrollment
There are approximately 2,300 graduate and undergraduate students at the College. The Physical Therapy Program accepts up to 36 students each year. Each entering DPT class begins in June with graduation 3 years later in May.

Admission
Prospective students can find admission information at http://www.msj.edu/view/academics/graduate-programs/physical-therapy/admission-requirements.aspx ADMISSION CRITERIA: ONE Applicants must hold or earn a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution before matriculating to the DPT. Degrees must be validated with official transcripts. TWO Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. THREE Applicants must complete a pre-requisite course form and send relevant course descriptions documenting the completion of OR the planned completion of the following prerequisite coursework and document with official transcripts and catalog course descriptions: Sciences: 1 year each (2 semesters; 3 quarters) of the following with laboratory: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, and Chemistry as well as 1 course in Statistics, Psychology, Sociology,and Ethics. No grade below a C will be accepted in any prerequisite course. Applicants may complete program pre-requisites after application, however, all course pre-requisites must be completed by the start of coursework in mid June. FOUR Observation Hours in Physical Therapy are required. Completion of at least 80 hours of documented paid or volunteer experience in at least 2 distinctly different physical therapy settings is required. Applicants are expected to locate and contact hospitals, clinics and/or facilities where physical therapy is practiced. FIVE Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are also required. Only scores within the last 7 years will be accepted. SIX The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for individuals whose native language is not English (only scores within the last 2 years will be accepted). APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 1 of the year preceding mid-June start date. All application materials must be on file by November 1 for the student’s file to be reviewed for admission.

Outcomes
Graduation Rate: The College of Mount St. Joseph DPT average graduation rate for the past 3 years is 88%. Licensure Results: The overall licensure examination pass rate for the DPT class of 2012 is 100%, and the average for the past 3 years is 98%. Employment Rate: Over the last 5 years 100% of graduates seeking employment were employed within 6 months of graduation.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 3 year, 9 semester DPT program is $9.000 per semester, plus books and fees (annual fees are approximately $1,000.00). Additional costs are associated with clinical internships (including but not limited to transportation, room, and board for 8-10 weeks of an internship out of town).

Student life
The College of Mount St Joseph located in suburban Cincinnati, is a Catholic coeducational liberal arts college. Focusing on career preparation, the College emphasizes individualized learning in small classes and offers students career experience opportunities through cooperative education in every undergraduate major, leadership development and student activities. The Jean Patrice Harrington Student Center features: Student Organizations and Leadership Suites; game room, media lounge; Wellness Center; Children’s Center; food court; 2000 seat gym; running track; fitness center with aerobic and weight room; squash, racquetball/handball courts; athletic training facilities; locker rooms; Athletic Department and Student Services Offices; lounges; study areas and meeting spaces; courtyard plaza; outdoor basketball court; outdoor tennis courts; and sand volleyball court. The College is a member of the NCAA and sponsors: basketball, softball, tennis, soccer, track, cross country, and volleyball for women; and baseball, basketball, football, tennis, track, cross country, and wrestling for men. The College recreation program offers intramurals for co-ed volleyball, basketball, softball, and aerobics.