General Program Description

NSU has 2 entry level DPT Programs: A traditional, campus-based 3-year DPT program offered on our Ft. Lauderdale Florida campus; and a Hybrid DPT program (4-years) offered on our Tampa Florida campus. Students are admitted for both programs in the summer semester based on GPA, GRE, prior education/work experience, written statement, references, and interview score (Tampa only). The Fort Lauderdale program is completed in 36 months, while the Tampa program is completed in 48 months.

Clinical Experiences
Students complete 36 to 40 weeks of full-time clinical internships in various settings with the goal of improving screening, examination and treatment skills to entry-level competency in both inpatient and outpatient settings across the lifespan. Our clinical internship sites are located nationally and internationally. During the curriculum there is early and repeated exposure to clients/patients in the classroom and in clinical settings.

Faculty
In Fort Lauderdale, there are 19 full-time faculty, of which 15 hold terminal doctoral degrees, 4 hold a post-professional PT degrees and 6 are ABPTS certified clinical specialists. In Tampa, there are 8 FT faculty members, of which 5 hold a terminal degree and 6 who are ABPTS certified clinical specialists. The faculty members are multicultural and have a broad base of professional physical therapy experiences.

Enrollment
Nova Southeastern University is the nation’s ninth largest, not-for-profit, independent university, with more than 27,000 students and 150,000 alumni. The main campus is a sprawling, 300-acre campus in Fort Lauderdale; and a presence throughout the United States and in nine countries around the world. Through five decades of explosive growth, our reputation for academic excellence and innovation continues to flourish. Student enrollment for the Fort Lauderdale campus is 50 students/year, and in the Tampa location we accept 40 students/year.

Admission
The Programs utilizes the PTCAS application system. There is an additional NSU supplemental application as well. A student may apply to either one or both NSU programs. The admission prerequisites are the same for both Programs (http://www.nova.edu/cah/pt/dpt/admissions_requirements.html). Applicants must complete all required coursework before matriculating into the PT program. The program selects students based on cumulative grade point average (GPA), prior academic performance, work experience, references, interview (Tampa only), completed application and recommendations. The general requirements include: 1) A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, 2) A minimum of 2.9 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a four point scale, 3) A minimum of 2.9 prerequisite and science grade point average (GPA) on a four point scale and a grade of C or better in each of the following prerequisite courses (Note: applied sciences are not acceptable for admission): Psychology/Sociology -2 semesters (one general psychology and an additional psychology or sociology) Statistics -1 semester Biology -1 semester Anatomy and Physiology -2 semesters (anatomy and physiology may be combined or separate) Chemistry -2 semesters with lab Physics -2 semesters with lab English -1 semester of composition or writing 4) Three recommendations (one must be from a physical therapist) on the required PTCAS evaluation form, 5) Previous experience acquired in the field of physical therapy on the required PTCAS experience form (optional but highly recommended), 6) GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores from the ETS (Educational Testing Service). The Admission Committee will not consider the application until the official GRE scores, and a fully completed supplemental application with indicated fees are received. (The supplemental application information will be e-mailed to the applicant once the application is verified by PTCAS and forwarded to NSU). Applications may be submitted at any time; however, only applicants who have submitted all application credentials (transcripts, evaluation forms, etc) prior to the specified deadline will be considered for admission.

Outcomes
The 3-year National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) pass rate weighted average for 2011, 2012 and 2013 is 98.7%. From 2011-2013, our overall graduation rate averaged 92% (3-year average). Of those surveyed, in 2010 to 2012, our 6 month employment rate was 100%.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The tuition for 2015-2016 (subject to change by the Board of Trustees without notice) is: $27,000 per year (Fort Lauderdale), and $20,300 per year in Tampa. The tuition cost is the same for both Florida residents and out of state students. A Health Professions Division general access fee of $145 is required each year. An NSU student services fee of $945.00 is also required annually. Acceptance Fee: $1000. This fee is required to reserve the accepted applicant’s place in the entering first-year class. This advance payment will be deducted from the tuition payment due on registration day, but is not refundable in the event of a withdrawal. It is payable within 2 weeks of an applicant’s acceptance. The Student Financial Aid program helps as many qualified students as possible to complete their health professions education. Various loans, scholarships, and grants are available to qualified students to help ease the high cost of health professionals’ education. These financial assistance programs are described in a separate university publication, Financial Freedom (http://www.nova.edu/financialaid). The Chancellor’s Scholarship is awarded to a student after the first year of the program. Enrolled students must be in good academic standing, and be a permanent resident of Florida. The candidate must be from a disadvantaged background and demonstrate financial need.

Student life
For Fort Lauderdale: Information concerning housing may be obtained from the Office of Residential Life, 3301 College Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314 (954-475-7052). There are many opportunities for recreation and athletics at NSU. A new sports-recreation complex has been built on the Fort Lauderdale campus. It is fully operational and augments the existing facilities for students, which consist of a pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a fitness center. Various sporting activities are available through the Campus Life Office. The Student Center houses billiard areas, table tennis, darts, and a television lounge. Quiet areas and a conference and reception room are located in the Rosenthal Building. For more information, please visit our website at www.nsu.nova.edu/pt. The Tampa Regional campus includes an on-site fitness center, student lounges and study rooms. Both campuses have an active student government association with access to professional sporting events in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando.