General Program Description

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at LIU – Brooklyn is one of 11 graduate and undergraduate programs in School of Health Professions (SHP). The DPT program is a 3 year, 118 credit full time program that begins in July. Students are in class Monday – Friday with some evening classes. Students spend approximately 25-30 hours per week in class. There are 35 weeks of full time clinical education experiences within the program. Graduation from the program occurs in May. Facilities include dedicated classrooms and teaching laboratories, a human dissection laboratory, Human Movement Research Laboratory, student computer laboratory, the LIU Center for Physical Rehabilitation: a clinical practice facility as well as the Steinberg Health, Wellness and Recreation Center. The DPT program at LIU is registered with the New York State Department of Education and achieved full accreditation with CAPTE in 2008, with our next review in 2017.

Clinical Experiences
There are four clinical practice courses distributed throughout the professional phase of the curriculum. Clinical experiences gradually increase in level of complexity as students progress through the program. There is a 6 week experience in the beginning of the second year of the program, a 9 week experience at the beginning of the 3rd year, and two 10 week experiences at the end of the academic portion of the curriculum at the end of the 3rd year of the program. We have agreements with over 300 clinical placement sites. Many of these are located in the greater NYC area, an others are located nationwide. Clinical practice experiences in the following areas are required: outpatient orthopedic, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and a specialty area of a student’s choice.

Faculty
There are 9.5 core faculty and 10 primary adjunct faculty members. Additional adjunct faculty members are also used based on area of expertise and program needs. Seven of the nine core faculty hold post professional doctoral degrees (PhD) and seven are ABPTS clinical specialists. Most of the core faculty are also actively engaged in clinical practice. Faculty have a strong scholarly record and have multiple peer-reviewed publications and presentations each year. The faculty to student ratio is 1: 12.5 Faculty are actively involved in student advisement and guidance. The faculty has a strong commitment to teaching, to personal advisement of students, to the fullest range of scholarship, and to faculty development and service to the University

Enrollment
The LIU Brooklyn Campus enrolls approximately 11,200 students in over 200 academic programs. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program enrolls 43 students each year from a pool of approximately 200 qualified students. The total number of students currently enrolled in the 3 year program is approximately 120.

Admission
All applicants to the LIU DPT Program must submit an application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). We only review official transcripts of applicants that have applied to us that have been submitted, verified and received by us through PTCAS. Application requirements include: a baccalaureate degree in any major; cumulative undergraduate grade-point average (G.P.A.) of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0; successful completion the following prerequisite science courses with a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and no grades lower than C: 1 semester of general biology with lab at least 4 credits; 2-semester sequence of general chemistry with lab at least 4 credits each; 2-semester sequence of general physics with lab at least 4 credits each; 1 semester of human anatomy or part 1 of a 2-semester sequence of combined anatomy-physiology at least 4 credits; lab required; 1 semester of human physiology or part 2 of a 2-semester sequence of combined anatomy-physiology (at least 3 credits; lab preferred, but not required for human physiology; lab required for combined anatomy-physiology); 1 semester of statistics at least 3 credits. Submit an official score report for the GRE general test or the GRE revised general test.** The recommended minimum composite (verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning) score is 900 for the GRE general test and 290 for the GRE revised general test. Provide evidence of a minimum of 36 hours of work experience in 2 different physical therapy settings, including an inpatient and an outpatient setting, with at least 18 hours in each setting. All applications will be reviewed and screened. Quality applicants will be notified and scheduled for an interview. Application deadlines: August for early decision candidates, March general admission. All requirements must be fulfilled prior to the July the start date of the program.

Outcomes
Graduates of the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program are prepared to function effectively in the multifaceted role of the physical therapist as clinician, educator, administrator, consultant, and consumer of professional research. Graduates are eligible to take National Physical Therapy Licensure examination in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The first time test taker passing rates on National Physical Therapy Examination for our most recent graduating class of 2014 was 100% (July testing). Our ultimate pass rates are 100%. Additionally, 100% Graduates from our program who seek employment are employed within 6 months of graduation.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
Annual tuition is approximately $40,000 per year. Additional fees are approximately $2500 per year. The LIU PT Scholars Award is a merit-based scholarship that offers up to $10,000 per academic year. The scholarship is awarded during the Fall and Spring semesters and can be renewed for up to 6 semesters based on student academic performance. Approximately 25 scholarships are offered to each incoming class. Other financial resources for graduate students include, graduate assistants /graduate student employment, external scholarships as well as private and public institutional loans. Please see our website for the most up to date tuition and fees.

Student life
At LIU Brooklyn, all students find an academic community where cultural, ethnic, religious, racial, sexual, and individual differences are respected and where commonalities are affirmed. This requires the Campus to be open and welcoming, even as it maintains respect for intellectual, cultural and academic traditions. With more than 11,200 students, over 200 academic programs and a proud history of excellence in Division I athletics, it continues to build on its tradition of inclusion and responsiveness to serve its students and the community at large. The Brooklyn Campus occupies an 11-acre site in Downtown Brooklyn and includes Schools of Health Professions, Education, Nursing, Business, Arts and Sciences and the College of Pharmacy. It is an urban oasis in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Additional facilities include Steinberg Health and Wellness center with state of the art athletics center, gym, aquatics center with pool and community wellness program space. Student housing is available in the 16 story Connolly Hall (dormitory style accommodations) as well as just off campus University affiliated apartments. Many DPT students find housing in the exciting and thriving Brooklyn communities close to campus.