General Program Description

The mission of the Department is the education of students to become generalist physical therapist professionals who are reflective, competent, compassionate, and autonomous, and who are prepared to meet the changing physical therapy needs of society. The faculty foster the growth of reflective practice, critical thinking, professional service and life long learning in students through excellence in teaching, service and critical inquiry. Through curricular experiences, students have opportunities to develop skills in self-assessment, clinical practice, professional core values and behaviors, and evidence-based practice.. The Department supports the tenet that each student should become “all s/he is capable of being.” Class sizes are small, and students benefit from the connection to Upstate’s medical school and teaching hospital. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program requires three years of professional study. The first year begins in June. The program of study includes three years of classroom instruction and clinical work spread over nine terms. Students must attend the program full-time. All students participate in a White Coat Ceremony during their first year that welcomes them as they begin to make the transition to physical therapist practitioners.

Clinical Experiences
Thirty six weeks of clinical education is interspersed throughout the program. Students participate in integrated clinical experiences during the first year of the program, an eight-week experience in the second summer of the program, an eight week experience in the third summer and a culminating 20 weeks of clinical experience during the last semester of the program. Students benefit from a wide selection of clinical sites.

Faculty
There are ten full-time faculty. The faculty is a rich mix of individuals with post-professional doctoral preparation, clinical doctorates and clinical specialization. Among the clinical specialists are pediatric specialists, orthopedic specialists, a cardiopulmonary specialist and a geriatric specialist. The full-time faculty to student ratio is 1:9.7 and faculty are readily accessible to students both in and out of class. Faculty members receive grants, publish in peer-reviewed journals, hold offices at the state and national levels, teach and present research at national and international conferences, and participate on national task forces. The faculty provide a good blend of professional and clinical expertise.

Enrollment
The University has a total enrollment of 1,128 students that includes health sciences, medical, nursing and graduate students. The College of Health Professions accepts 258 students. The physical therapy program accepts a maximum of 33 students each June, for a total maximum program enrollment of 99 students.

Admission
The information provided below is for admission to the professional (entry-level) doctoral degree program. Admission to the program is based on academic achievement and personal qualifications that are essential to the successful practice of physical therapy. Admissions requirements include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, including completion of 40 credits of prerequisite course work, GRE scores, first aid and CPR certification, and volunteer or work experience in physical therapy. Three years of professional study are offered at this college. Prior to making formal application, SUNY Upstate requires students to work or volunteer in a physical therapy department. A variety of volunteer experiences are encouraged. Applications are reviewed from October through February, with a deadline of February 1st. All required course work must be completed prior to June 1. The prerequisite course work includes 4 credit hours of General Biology, 8 credit hours each of General Chemistry, General Physics and Anatomy & Physiology, 3 credit hours of English (composition recommended), 3 credit hours of Statistics, 3 credit hours of Psychology (Child or Developmental recommended), and 3 credit hours of Social Sciences. All science courses must include labs. Students with a minimum prerequisite and overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, are considered for interview, with priority given to those with a 3.3 or higher. The average GPA of the most recently admitted class was 3.59 on a 4.0 point scale.

Outcomes
93.8% of admitted students graduate from the program (based on 2009-2011 three year average); the ultimate licensure pass rate for 2009-2012 is 100%; and 100% are employed. The average 3 year first-time pass rate (2010 – 2012) is 93.42% compared to a NYS average of 80.2% and US average or 88.7%.

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The cost of tuition and fees (including estimated health insurance costs) for the 2013-14 academic year for in-state students is $16,500. Tuition and fees for out-of-state students is $29,380. per year. Eighty-five percent of the students at the College of Health Professions receive financial aid. Grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study are available to physical therapy students.

Student life
Student housing is available for all students. Eighty percent of the physical therapy students live on or near campus. The intimate campus is a health science university in the heart of Syracuse. The Greater Syracuse region is a scenic resort type area with each season offering special natural beauty and entertainment.