General Program Description

We offer both a weekend and a traditional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. The weekend program is designed to allow physical therapist assistants the ability to earn a DPT degree while attending courses every other weekend for less than three years. The weekend program classes begin in January of each year. The traditional program is designed as a 3+3 entry-level program. Students complete three years of undergraduate study and three years of graduate study; apply for admission to the professional program in the junior year, and complete their bachelor’s degree in year four. A direct Freshman Admission Option is available for qualifying students based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores, writing abilities, and community service/involvement. The traditional program classes begin in the fall of the each year. Transfer students are welcome to apply. Applications can be made through the Physical Therapy Central Application Service (PTCAS).

Clinical Experiences
Students enrolled in the weekend program are required to work as physical therapist assistants a minimum of 80 hours per month as a complement to their course work. This provides the opportunity for integrated clinical assignments. In addition, students complete three full-time, clinical experiences in acute care, sub-acute care/rehabilitation, outpatient, and a specialty area. These are completed at the end of the professional curriculum and consist of two eight week and one ten week affiliation. Sites for clinical experiences are located throughout the United States. Students enrolled in the traditional program complete 33 weeks of full-time clinical education integrated throughout the three year professional program. Students complete clinical experiences in acute care, sub-acute care/rehabilitation, outpatient, and a specialty area.

Faculty
There are twelve full-time and five part-time faculty members teaching the weekend and traditional physical therapy curricula at The University of Findlay. Of the full-time faculty members 85% hold post professional doctoral degrees; 42% are certified as clinical specialists; and 92% are engaged in clinical practice. The faculty to student ratio is 1:12.

Enrollment
The University of Findlay has a total enrollment of approximately 4,700 students. The weekend physical therapy program enrolls a maximum of 36 students in each class for a total enrollment of 108 students in the program. The traditional program enrolls a maximum of 36 students in each class for a total enrollment of 108 students in the physical therapy program.

Admission
In order to be eligible to apply to the weekend physical therapy program at The University of Findlay, each applicant must be a graduate of an accredited physical therapist assistant program, have a baccalaureate degree, have one year of work experience as a physical therapist assistant, and have a minimum science and overall grade point average of 3.0. In addition, students must complete prerequisite course work including eight semester hours in each: human anatomy and physiology, basic physics, and general chemistry as well as three semester hours in elementary statistics. The application deadline for the physical therapy program is May 1. Candidates are notified of their status in August. Course work begins the first weekend in January. In order to be eligible to apply to the traditional program applicants must complete eight semester hours of anatomy and physiology, general chemistry, and basic physics. Three semester hours of kinesiology/biomechanics, exercise physiology, elementary statistics, medical terminology, general psychology, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology. Applications are made through PTCAS and available in July of each year with a deadline for application of November 15 (post-marked no later). Incoming freshman with strong high school grade point averages (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) and ACT (26) or SAT (1170-1200 old SAT, or 1760 new SAT) scores may be eligible for freshman entry into the traditional DPT program; only 16 of 36 seats can be filled each year. A complete application to The University of Findlay must be received by December 1, of your senior year of high school, to be considered for the freshman admission option. A number of factors are considered for admission; some of those criteria are grades, writing ability, experience with physical therapy, experience with people with disabilities, and community involvement. Students will be made aware of the decision by January 15.

Outcomes
91.2% of traditional and 87.8% of weekend admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); employment rate is 100% within one month of graduation. Graduates taking the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) have an ultimate passing rate of 98.6% for the weekend and 96.3% for the traditional curriculum (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition and fees for the 2014-2015 academic school for in-state and out-of-state students is $814 per semester hour. The cost for books averages $350 per term. For information related to financial aid opportunities, please contact 419/434-4792.

Student life
The University of Findlay is known for its entrepreneurial approach to education, offering programs designed to prepare students for careers in the twenty-first century. The university is located in Findlay, Ohio, a small city situated 45 miles south of Toledo on I-75. With a population of 39,000, the city offers the safe and friendly environment of a small town, combined with opportunities for employment, shopping, and recreation. Founded in 1882 by the Churches of God, General Conference, and the City of Findlay, The University of Findlay has a tradition of providing personalized education services with close interaction between professors and students for over 125 years. Student opportunities include: 26 intercollegiate sports, intramural athletics, more than 50 student organizations, as well as theatre, art, vocal and instrumental music programs.