General Program Description

The program is designed to prepare professionals attuned to the cultural, social, psychological and biological factors that contribute to the determinants of health, illness and disability. The mission of the program is to graduate clinically competent physical therapists who demonstrate exemplary character and assume the responsibilities of citizenship. Graduates are expected to demonstrate clinical excellence, compassion, and concern for others. The physical therapy program is designed as an entry-level clinical doctorate program based on the 4+3 curriculum model and requires nine semesters to complete the professional course work. Pre-physical therapy 3+3 curriculum students must inquire for detailed instructions on course distributions for the 6-year dual degree (BS/DPT) program (only those institutions with articulating agreements with Widener). There are ten full-time faculty members as well as additional adjunct faculty and lecturers. Students spend an average of 25 hours per week in class.

Clinical Experiences
The curriculum offers integrated supervised clinical observations and experiences to present students with opportunities to devise an expanding base of solutions and plans based on realistic case models. First-year students are provided with limited fieldwork in local physical therapy clinics and with paid professional patients in labs. Throughout the three years, each student is also required to participate in a variety of formal clinical education experiences in a variety of settings. The curriculum is affiliated with more than 400 clinics nationwide. Students should be prepared for the extra travel/housing costs when assigned to areas that are not local. Full-time clinical experiences are scheduled for 10-12 weeks at three intervals during the program (a total of 32 weeks). Students may also gain clinical exposure by volunteering in the program’s student-led, student-run pro bono clinic, through our community health practica, paid professional patients, and high fidelity simulation.

Faculty
Of the ten full-time faculty members, nine hold post-professional doctoral degrees, five are certified as clinical specialists, and all are engaged in active clinical practice and/or community service, as well as clinical research. Over the past three years the faculty has garnered over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals and over 60 peer-reviewed professional presentations. Our faculty have authored or made contributions to several physical therapy textbooks and created one of the first physical therapy “apps” – iOrtho. The faculty to student ratio for all laboratory experiences is maintained at 1:12, the core faculty to student ratio is 1:14.

Enrollment
Widener University has nearly 9,000 students on its four campuses in Chester, Exton, and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware. The Institute for Physical Therapy Education, located on Widener’s main campus in Chester, offers a doctoral degree program (DPT) with a planned annual enrollment of 48 students per class.

Admission
5As of July 2011, application to the program is through PTCAS, the physical therapy centralized application service. Students may apply online when the PTCAS portal opens in July, with a soft application deadline for Summer 2015 entry of November 15, 2014. No applications will be received after January 15, 2015. Updates on application deadlines for Summer entry each year will be posted on PTCAS in July. Additional/supplemental application materials that can not be submitted online can be accessed through a link at the PTCAS.org site. Additional program and admissions information can be found at www.widener.edu/ipte. No interviews are required but a campus visit as an “Accepted Student for a Day” is highly recommended. Admission to the graduate program is restricted to students who demonstrate their capacity for graduate-level studies through performance on the GRE and a satisfactory grade point average (GPA). Students are required to submit GRE scores. Ideal candidates will perform at least at or above the 50th percentile each on the verbal and quantitative segments of the GRE. A prerequisite GPA is re-computed for all applicants. The science portion of the re-computed GPA is expected to be 3.0 or higher. Science prerequisites include 3 semester hours in each: biology, anatomy, and physiology; 6 semester hours of physics; and 8 semester hours of chemistry. In the humanities and social sciences, applicants must have 6 semester hours of psychology, 3 semester hours of social science (sociology or anthropology preferred), and 3 semester hours in statistics. It is assumed that applicants possessing a bachelor’s degree from the United States will have had 3 semester hours in English composition and 6 semester hours in general humanities (the most recent courses taken that meet these requirements will be used to calculate the applicants pre-requisite GPA in the humanities and social sciences). The humanities/social science GPA is also expected to be at least 3.0. In the past, competitive applicants have an average science pre-requisite GPA of at least 3.4. Evidence of observational (paid or volunteer) experiences in physical therapy must also be provided (a minimum of 40 hours, preferably in two different types of settings – including inpatient and outpatient settings). To view a copy of the current Institute Bulletin which includes a description of the curriculum, degree requirements, and academic policies, please visit www.widener.edu/ipte. Approximately XX% of qualified applicants are offered admission to the program (3-year average).

Outcomes
93.6% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average – 2009 through 2011). 95.6% of all graduates who took the licensing exam, passed it (ultimate pass rate, 3-year average – 2010 through 2012). 100% of graduates were employed in physical therapy within 6 months of graduation and licensure (3-year average – 2010 through 2012). Updated information on accreditation and outcomes are posted online at: http://www.widener.edu/academics/schools/shsp/physical_therapy/accreditation_outcomes.aspx.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
In 2014-15, tuition was calculated at $784 per credit. The first two years of the program are 42-44 credits per year, with the final year at 35 credits. For tuition updates, call 610-499-1277. At least 90% of students receive financial aid in the form of federal loan programs and program scholarships. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 610-499-4174. Outside employment while in the professional phase of the program is permitted, but students should seek counsel as to whether it is advisable given their course load for a given semester.

Student life
Students in the program have a variety of options for involvement in leadership and community engagement. The Physical Therapy Student Association sponsors social gatherings, community service projects, and fundraising events throughout the year. Student also complete a variety of Community Health Practica through service-learning opportunities throughout the curriculum. A variety of interdisciplinary events and elective options are available. In September of 2009 the Institute opened the Chester Community Physical Therapy Clinic which is a student-led and student-run pro bono clinic serving the needs of the uninsured and underinsured in our community. To experience what it is like to be a student in our program and to interact with current students, it is recommended that accepted students attend an “Accepted Student-for-a-Day” visit by calling 610-499-4272 or [email protected].