General Program Description

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a national model for metropolitan universities. The Carnegie Foundation recognized the University for its Community Engagement. The campus is located downtown in a city designated by Outdoor Magazine as the ‘Best Town Ever’. The Riverwalk is adjacent to campus so that students can easily access walking/biking trails. The physical therapy program begins in August and includes eight semesters of course work. Degrees are conferred in May. The program admits only doctor of physical therapy degree students. All classes are held in Davenport Hall. An online transitional doctoral degree program was initiated in 2006. The program web site is www.utc.edu/physicaltherapy.

Clinical Experiences
Students participate in 4 full-time clinical experiences for a total of 36 weeks of the curriculum. The emphasis of the first year of the program is the musculoskeletal system. Students then participate in clinical experiences in outpatient orthopedic settings for 7 weeks in the summer. The emphasis of year 2 is the other systems including medical/surgical and neurologic content. Students participate in experiences in acute care hospitals (6 weeks) and neurorehabilitation settings (8 weeks) in the following summer. The 15 week Clinical Internship occurs the last semester of the program (spring) and students choose the clinical emphases. Our program affiliates with approximately 250 clinical sites located mostly in the southeast.

Faculty
There are eight full-time faculty members who hold post-professional doctoral degrees; 5 faculty members are certified as clinical specialists (orthopedics, pediatrics, neurologic, sports), and 87% are engaged in clinical practice. Over the past 3 years, the faculty has averaged 3.7 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Most present regularly at national meetings. The faculty to student ratio is 1:9.6.

Enrollment
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is one of four campuses within the University of Tennessee system. Total enrollment at the Chattanooga campus is approximately 12,000 students. The program in physical therapy accepts 30 students per class.

Admission
The program is an entry-level doctoral program requiring an undergraduate degree for admissions. Students who are accepted into the program must be enrolled on a full-time basis for each of the eight semesters of the program. The mean grade point average for accepted students is approximately 3.8. Major-related prerequisites include 6 semester hours of psychology; 3 semester hours of statistics; 3 semester hours of exercise physiology; and 8 semester hours of general biology, general chemistry, general physics, and anatomy/physiology. The early decision deadline is August 15. To be considered for early decision, applicants must have a minimum of 3.4 cumulative GPA, 3.4 core GPA (required science courses), 3.5 GRE analytical writing score, and 300 GRE combined verbal and quantitative score. The final deadline is November 15. To be considered during the final round, applicants must have a 3.2 cumulative GPA, 3.2 core GPA (required science courses), and 3.0 GRE analytical writing score. All applicants must apply through PTCAS.

Outcomes
100% of the graduates passed the licensure exam (3-year average) with 98% on the first try; 100% of the program graduates responding to surveys are employed (3-year average).

Tuition, fees and financial aid
The average cost for in-state tuition, fees, supplies, books, and room and board for resident students is approximately $4200 per semester. The PT program offers multiple scholarships based on financial need or scholarship/merit. See our website for specific details.

Student life
Most of the PT students live off campus where apartments are available within a 5-mile radius of campus. Dormitories are also available on campus for students at a reasonable price. The Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) is located 2 blocks from the PT department and houses an indoor swimming pool with a lazy river, multiple gyms, racquetball courts, cardio equipment, and weight-training facilities. On the south side of the campus, there is an outdoor recreational area that consists of softball, football and soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, and a jogging track. Intramural, recreational, and fitness-oriented activities are scheduled throughout the year. Students can check-out kayaks and other outdoor equipment from the ARC.