Entry Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
(845) 398-4800, extension 6049 or fax: (845) 398-4892
The role of the physical therapist is exciting and challenging. The professional uses therapeutic intervention to improve the quality and satisfaction of the lives of diverse clients throughout the life span. Clientele may include children with disabilities, victims of trauma, and seniors with generalized weaknesses.
Working with patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals, physical therapists promote the achievement of their patients' goals by fostering their recovery. The focus of therapy may consist of programs to increase strength, to relieve pain, and to assist one to achieve optimal function in the environment.
Physical therapists also serve as teachers, providing important instruction in a wide array of areas, including on-going rehabilitation in the activities of daily living, prenatal and post natal programs, and overall fitness and health promotion. Physical therapists can work in a variety of fields, such as rehabilitation, community health, industry, sports, neonatal intensive care, school, research, education, and administration.
This mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program of Dominican College is as follows: The entry-level physical therapy program is dedicated to preparing graduates in a non-traditional format to become skilled, ethical and respectful doctors of physical therapy with a commitment to evidence based practice and lifelong learning. Through a strong science foundation and a challenging yet supportive environment, graduates are prepared to deliver the highest standards of practice to meet the ever-changing societal needs related to movement, function and health.
The Program's goal is to graduate autonomous physical therapists who are able to provide professional services by addressing the needs of the "whole" client in an ever-changing health care environment, in addition to serving as teachers, consultants, researchers, and administrators.
Dominican College offers a Physical Therapy Program leading to
- two degrees, Bachelor of Arts in Biology (Pre-Med) and Doctor of Physical Therapy, for the traditional or transfer student in a combined 3 + 3 (over 10 trimesters. Refer to entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy Professional Sequence)
- a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree for the student who has already earned a baccalaureate degree
As part of Dominican's Weekend College, the professional courses are scheduled on a trimester system — summer, fall, winter/spring. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program meets eight weekends per trimester. Each instructional weekend includes Friday evening, all-day Saturday, and all-day Sunday. The four full-time clinical affiliations, totaling 36 weeks, are scheduled during the regular work days of the facility. The non traditional format schedule allows a student to continue employment, to maintain family responsibilities, and to pursue other interests. Students are cautioned, however, that long work hours are generally incompatible with success in the Program, which requires extensive study time, and that the Program cannot consider competing work obligations as a substitute for the maintenance of academic standards. In particular,an absence for more than 1/8 of the total contact hours in any professional course, for any reason, will result in a failing grade.
The program is fully accredited by CAPTE. ( Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education)
CAPTE, 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone (703) 684-2782.
