Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy, t-D.P.T.

Effective Spring 2017 - This program is not accepting any new students. Students interested in a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy can enroll in the Physical Therapy, D.P.T.  

Current students, please refer to the FAQ web page linked here to learn about the “teach out” process. Please meet with your Academic Advisor regarding your current Study Plan.

The College of Health and Human Services  transitional Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy (t-DPT) is designed for the student who has completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy and has at least six months of full-time work experience in physical therapy practice.

The purpose of the t-DPT is to prepare licensed physical therapists to meet the challenges of a changing practice environment. Completion of this degree program will enhance the ability of practicing physical therapists to be leaders, educators and clinicians who incorporate evidence and cultural competence into practice. This program serves as a bridge between the content taught in bachelors and masters level programs and current physical therapy practice at the doctoral level.

Program Objectives

At the conclusion of the t-DPT program, the student will be able to:

1. Screen, examine, evaluate, and diagnose individuals with impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, physical dysfunction, health, and wellness.
2. Plan and implement standard and innovative interventions for individuals with impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, physical dysfunction, health, and wellness.
3. Determine the optimal level of improvement in function and the amount of time to reach that level for a patient with an impairment, functional limitation, or disability related to movement.
4. Instruct individuals and groups in the prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, physical dysfunction, health, and wellness.
5. Demonstrate social responsibility, citizenship, and advocacy including participation in community and human service organizations and activities.
6. Integrate scientific and clinical evidence in physical therapy practice, and to contribute to the evidence for practice.
7. In professional interactions:
   1. exhibit moral, ethical, and legal behavior;
   2. display sensitivity to individual differences and values;
   3. communicate appropriately;
   4. display effective leadership skills;
   5. display effective administrative and consultative behaviors; and
   6. effectively use contemporary technology. 
8. Demonstrate effective teaching skills that are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of the learner.

Accreditation

The Physical Therapy program has been granted Accreditation Status for the first-professional DPT by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), at 1111 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, telephone 703.706.3245, or by e-mail at accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. The program is not required to seek additional approvals for the t-DPT through the CAPTE.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission will be accepted at any time during the year. Applications for admission are available from the Physical Therapy Department Office and online at www.govst.edu/tdpt. The Department of Physical Therapy Admissions Committee will review applications before an offer of admission is extended.

In addition to meeting the university admission criteria for graduate students, the following are required of applicants:

1. current licensure as a Physical Therapist in the United States or its territories;
2. a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical therapy, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale;
3. a minimum of six months of experience in full time practice as a physical therapist (1,000 hours);
4. two letters of recommendation;
5. computer access to complete online course work; and
6. approval for prior course work of up to six credit hours may be awarded based on individual qualifications and completion of the following:
   • Previous coursework at Governors State University
   • Award of American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties certification
   • Completion of a credentialed clinical residency program
7. Internationally educated physical therapists must submit official academic credentials with evaluation from the Educational Credentials Evaluation (ECE) organization in Milwaukee, WI and may be required to submit a minimum acceptable score on the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL).