General Program Description

The professional DPT Program at Drexel University provides quality doctoral-level education to students seeking entry-level careers in the profession. The curriculum provides for the acquisition, integration and application of specific content knowledge and fundamental concepts and skills while focusing on evidence-based practice and clinical decision-making. The program places emphasis on teaching-learning processes, leadership development and awareness of health management issues. The course work is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge base, refined examination, evaluation and diagnostic abilities, basic competencies as a clinical educator and greater readiness to practice more autonomously. The faculty is committed to preparing entry-level students to understand and appreciate the academic, social, political and economic forces that impinge on practice initiatives. The DPT curriculum progresses from simple knowledge to complex integration and application. The course objectives illustrate a hierarchy of learning within each academic quarter and throughout the curriculum. The methods of instruction include strategies and tactics from both receptive learning (lectures) and discovery learning (problem-based methodology) that are easily applicable in professional practice. Students examine patient/client conditions in both the academic and clinical settings by exploring related health issues, as well as the biopsychosocial and cultural issues that impact practice outcomes. Expected student outcomes demonstrate the principles of self-directed adult learning, critical thinking, problem solving, clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice. The DPT curriculum occurs in a 10-week quarter format over 10 quarters. The program is composed of 128 credits over 31 months, including 38 weeks of clinical education. Clinical education is integrated throughout the curriculum. A Clinical Internship and a Final Project are designed as the final integrative experiences for the DPT curriculum. More detailed information and specific courses can be found on the program’s web site: http://www.drexel.edu/physicalTherapy/programs/dpt/.

Clinical Experiences
Thirty-eight weeks of clinical education are integrated throughout the curriculum beginning in the first year. These experiences are designed to progress students from simple to complex applications of knowledge and skills to enhance clinical decision-making and professional judgment. Students interact with patients/clients and health care providers across the continuum of care. The Clinical Internship, 12 weeks in length, occurs during the final quarter of the DPT Program. The internship is based on an adult educational model in which students assume responsibility for negotiating learning experiences and designing learning outcomes. At this level of practice, students appreciate the role of the physical therapist beyond clinical management of patients and clients by participating in administration, consultation, education, professional development, research, and prevention, wellness and health promotion. Students complete a Clinical Internship Portfolio to record their learning experiences and professional development.

Faculty
There are sixteen core faculty members from the Programs in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences and three full-time faculty members from other departments within Drexel teaching in the DPT curriculum. Fifteen faculty members hold terminal degrees (PhD, ScD, EdD, DPT), while 1 other is matriculated in terminal degree programs. Among the faculty there are nine certified specialists in Orthopaedics (4), Neurology (1), Hand (1), Pediatrics (2), and Geriatrics (1). 50% of faculty members are actively involved in clinical practice. Faculty member, Robert Palisano, is editor of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics.

Enrollment
DPT enrollment varies depending on the year to create optimal faculty to student ratios. The fall 2012 incoming class included 52 students.

Admission
A bachelor’s degree is required for DPT admission. Required Prerequisite Courses include: – 2 General Biology courses with lab; – 1 Human or Mammalian Physiology course (preferably with lab) -or- 2 courses of Anatomy & Physiology I & II; – 1 Advanced Biology course at the 300-400 level. Some acceptable courses are Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Comparative Anatomy, Histology, Genetics, Research in Biology, and Exercise Physiology (does not need to be from the Biology department); – 2 General Chemistry courses with lab; – 2 General Physics courses with lab; – 2 Psychology courses – 1 General Psychology and 1 course Abnormal or Developmental (preferred); – 1 Introductory Statistics course (cannot be from the Business department); – 5 Humanities & Social Science courses (would be completed within a 4-year degree); Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required and scores should be 300 or greater combined score in the verbal & quantitative sections and 4.0 in the analytical section. 50 or more work or volunteer hours in the field. Two letters of recommendation are required including 1 from a science-based professor or adviser and 1 from a physical therapist. Application must be completed through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Services (PTCAS) at www.ptcas.org. All supplemental application documents including transcripts, GRE scores and letters of recommendation must be submitted to PTCAS before the application deadline. Applications are reviewed as they are received throughout the admissions cycle. Supporting documentation must be received to complete the application process. Those who have a complete application will be reviewed for a possible interview. Once all interviews are full then the admissions cycle will be closed for that year. Drexel sponsors an early assurance program in which students from select schools can apply in the summer after their junior year, as soon as the application opens, and complete by August 15th for an early interview and early admissions decision. If accepted by this program, a student will get an acceptance letter to Drexel University’s DPT program at the beginning of their senior year. Currently, this program is offered to Bucknell University, Drexel University, Gettysburg College, James Madison University, Penn State University, Rowan University, Towson University, and West Chester University. Students at these institutions should check with their health professions advisers for specific information about the agreement. Students are encouraged to inquire about the DPT program at any point in their collegiate career. A strong academic record is evidenced by the applicant’s overall and science grade point averages, breadth and depth of science background, and consistency of academic performance. Personal qualities such as maturity and effective interpersonal relationships as ascertained from letters of reference and the personal interview are highly regarded. The DPT class that entered Fall of 2012 had a mean cumulative GPA of 3.54, mean science GPA of 3.43 and GRE scores of 152 verbal, 151 quantitative, and 4.0 analytical writing, respectively. Drexel University admits high school seniors to the BS/DPT accelerated (3+3) DPT program. Students admitted to this highly selective program receive a B.S. in Pathway to Health Professions and a DPT in less than 6 years. Please contact [email protected] for more information

Outcomes
100% of the students in the 29 year history of the program have passed the licensure exam, including a 93.18% overall first time pass rate. 100% of the students who graduated in 2005, 2006 and 2007 passed the licensure exam on their first attempt.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for 2012-13 was $705 per quarter credit hour for the DPT program. The tuition rate can increase up to 4% per quarter credit each academic year. Some fees will also be incurred. Health insurance coverage is required and can be purchased from a university-sponsored group plan. Partial Dean’s Merit Scholarships are offered to qualified entering students and range from $25,000 – $62,500. The University’s Office of Financial Aid works with students to obtain the funds necessary to pursue their education from subsidized and unsubsidized federal loan programs and work-study.

Student life
The Office of Student Life serves the interests of students as a complement to their academic programs. Recently renovated on-campus housing featuring one, two and three bedroom apartments is available. Free membership to Sweat, a fitness facility located 2 blocks from campus, is offered to all students. Discount tickets are available for movies, ballet, theatre and athletic events. Students may utilize all facilities on the Drexel Main Campus in West Philadelphia which is accessible by a free campus shuttle. Free shuttles also operate between the Main Campus, the Health Sciences Campus and the Medical School Campus. Drexel’s urban setting gives students easy access to historic, cultural, scientific, dining and entertainment advantages of the city. New York, Washington, DC, the Pocono Mountains and New Jersey beaches are within easy commuting distance.