General Program Description
Beginning in the fall 2003, freshmen entering the physical therapy program will participate in a 6-year integrated undergraduate-professional graduate degree program leading to the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) degree. Students who enter the professional phase of the program from the USP undergraduate program will earn a bachelor in health science after 3.5 years. In addition to the 9.5 full-time faculty, the program also uses several adjunct faculty with clinical expertise in specialized areas. Undergraduate students begin the program with the fall semester while students in the professional phase of the program begin in mid-May. Summer sessions are included in the professional component of the curriculum. On average, students spend 22 hours per week in class. A thesis is not required, but students may elect to participate in a research project with members of the faculty. Degrees are conferred in May.
Clinical Experiences
There are service learning and volunteer clinical experiences throughout each professional year in addition to 40 weeks of full-time clinical experience. The full-time experiences consist of one 6-week, one 12-week and one 16-week rotation. Most full-time rotations take place within 100 miles of Philadelphia, but students are not limited to this geographical area. The rotations include experiences in general hospitals, acute care settings, rehabilitation centers, and special interest facilities (e.g., pediatrics, sports medicine). Students in the professional phase of the program also rotate through the USP-Mercy Pro Bono Clinic, a community based clinic, serving patients who lack medical insurance.
Enrollment
The College has a total enrollment of 2,500 students majoring in health, biological, or physical sciences. There are 246 physical therapy majors, with approximately 35-40 per class. Transfer students constitute less than 20% of the class.
Admission
The University practices a rolling admissions policy. Students may be accepted as freshmen if they have completed an academic high school curriculum that includes 3 years of laboratory science and 3 years of mathematics. Transfer students may be accepted into the sophomore or junior years, depending on which of the following prerequisites they have completed: 8 semester hours each in Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and 6 semester hours in Anatomy and Physiology;9 semester hours in Social Science (Psychology, Sociology and Communication); 6 semester hours in Intellectual Heritage; and 3 semester hours each of World Cultures, World History/Literature, Advanced Social Science and a Core Elective. If you have earned a Bachelor of Science degree and have decided to pursue a career in Physical Therapy at USP, this program is for you. You may transfer into the DPT program in the First Professional Year and begin to immediately benefit from the educational and clinical experiences at USP. Minimum program requirements for students with a baccalaureate degree: Chemistry with lab, 8 credits (Coursework should be a two-semester sequence); Biology with lab, 8 credits (Coursework should be a two-semester sequence); Physics with lab, 8 credits (Coursework should be a two-semester sequence); Anatomy and Physiology, 6 credits (Coursework should be a two-semester sequence); Math, 9 credits (Includes Calculus and Statistics); Social Sciences, 12 credits (Includes a mix of introductory and advanced coursework, a minimum of 6 credits in Psychology); English, 6 credits (Includes one writing-intensive course). Total: 57 credits. Semesters run from September to May. Summer sessions are included in the professional component of the curriculum. For information and applications, contact the Admissions Office at 215/596-8810.
Outcomes
No outcome information provided by the program.
Tuition, fees and financial aid
Tuition for the 2007-08 academic year is $28,180. Room and board, and additional fees averages $9,672. Funds are available in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study positions. More than 75% of all students receive some form of financial aid. For information call 215/596-8810.
Student life
Seventy percent of freshmen and sophomore students are on campus residents and are given priority in dormitory accommodations. Off-campus rentals are sufficiently available and are within walking distance of the University. The University is proud of its new Athletic and Recreation Center and encourages participation in athletics and recreation. There are 12 intercollegiate varsity sports and numerous intramural activities. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fraternities, sororities, and clubs.