Doctor of Physical Therapy
Program Description
The University’s Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy (DPT) prepares students for professional practice as general practitioners who demonstrate self-directed, ongoing learning, competency in clinical practice, a commitment to the application of professional skills, and knowledge in service to others. The program’s curriculum is a problem-based learning (PBL) design. PBL places emphasis on the development of a reflective practitioner by teaching students to learn from and solve clinical problems. Curriculum content is organized around carefully designed clinical patient problems that students study, discuss, and research in small tutorial groups. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple disciplines as it is relevant to the clinical problem. Tutorial group work develops interdependence among students and supports the use of peers in learning and problem-solving. Clinical education includes part-time, integrated experiences in each of the academic semesters, and full-time clinical education in the summer following the first year and during the fall and spring of the third year. Clinical education totals thirty-eight (38) weeks of full-time work and approximately twelve (12) to sixteen (16) hours per semester of direct patient care.
Mission Statement of the SHU DPT Program
Sacred Heart University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, committed to the personal and professional development of students, prepares self-directed practitioners who embrace the use of best evidence and sound clinical reasoning as leaders in service to patients and communities.
Program Accreditation
The Physical Therapy program was initially accredited by both the Connecticut Department of Higher Education (CTDHE) in 1998 and the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in 1999, in 2004, and reaffirmed again in 2014. In 2003, both agencies approved transition of the program to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. CAPTE accreditation is an ongoing process for all PT programs. The PT program at Sacred Heart University received continuing accreditation in 2014 with the next CAPTE accreditation review occurring in 2024.
Disclosure, Certification, Licensure
- Licensure Exam
- Eligibility for state licensure
- NCSARA
The SHU DPT Program established goals for its students, graduates, faculty, and program. These goals are aligned with the themes of the program's revised Mission, the Mission of the College of Health Professions, and the University's Strategic Plan.
Personal and professional development of students
- Student Goal: By completion of the program, students take on the mantle of the profession of physical therapy.
- Graduate Goal: Alumni of the SHU DPT Program demonstrate a commitment to continued professional development.
- Faculty Goal: Faculty serve as mentors and role models in the personal and professional development of students.
- Program Goal: The SHU DPT Program, through its curriculum, supports the development of a commitment of life-long learning.
Prepare practitioners who use best evidence and sound clinical reasoning.
- Student Goal: By completion of the program, students utilize best evidence and sound clinical reasoning.
- Graduate Goal: Alumni of the SHU DPT Program demonstrate a competency in use of best evidence and sound clinical judgment.
- Faculty Goal: Faculty serve as mentors and role models in use of best evidence and sound clinical reasoning.
- Program Goal: The SHU DPT Program, through student and faculty development, ensures the use of best evidence and sound reasoning.
Prepare self-directed practitioners.
- Student Goal: Students will recognize the value of being a self-directed practitioner.
- Graduate Goal: Graduates participate in ongoing professional development and continuing competence.
- Faculty Goal: Faculty will demonstrate a passion for the physical therapy profession, as well as commitment to curiosity and life-long learning.
- Program Goal: The SHU DPT Program, through its problem-based learning curriculum, fosters the development and use of self-directed learning behaviors.
Develop leaders in service to patients and communities
- Student Goal: Students will utilize knowledge and skills to engage in service-learning activities within the greater university community.
- Graduate Goal: Graduates of the PT Program will engage in quality improvement or outreach service within their facilities and/or communities.
- Faculty Goal: Faculty will provide role modeling for service to the greater community.
- Program Goal: The Program will provide resources and support for community-based service activities. The Program through its curriculum develops leaders in service to patients.
Admission Requirements
Students entering the program must have completed an undergraduate degree in the discipline of their choice. Students also must have completed the necessary course prerequisites prior to the start of the doctoral program and have no more than two prerequisite courses outstanding at the time of application. External applicants must submit all materials for admission consideration by December 1, in the year of application and apply through PTCAS. Internal applicants must submit all materials for admission consideration by September 15, in the year of application.
Admission Requirements Include:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree and all pre-requisite courses from a regionally accredited College or University
- Undergraduate and pre-requisite GPA of 3.2 or higher
-
No grade lower than a “C” in any pre-requisite course. Applicants may retake a maximum of two courses one time each for grade replacement and use in pre-requisite GPA calculation.
- Two letters of recommendation: one from an employer, one from a recent professor
- Observation of PT practice in two different types of clinical practice settings (i.e. inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation, etc.) for a minimum of 50 hours total.
-
Successful completion of the Admission Interview.
The Graduate Transfer Credit Policy governs the approval of transfer credits. The SHU DPT Program does not accept transfer credit.
Clinical Education
The curriculum includes 19 credits of full-time clinical education at affiliating clinical sites across the United States. These activities occur in the summer following the first year and during the fall, winter, and spring of the third year. Student placement for these clinical education experiences provides each student with a variety of learning experiences within different types of practice settings. The DPT program is affiliated with more than 700 clinical facilities representing a wide range of practice settings, located predominately in the northeastern United States, but include sites across the country. Each site must have a formal contractual relationship with the University that includes a description of the responsibilities associated with clinical education. Students should anticipate the additional costs of clinical education in the curriculum, including travel, housing, meals, and living expenses. Planning for clinical education is done through the DPT program by the directors of clinical education (DCEs). Students will receive individual advisement regarding clinical education planning. Students will be asked to make clinical education placement requests; however, final placement decisions are the responsibility of the DCEs.
Degree Requirements
The program is a three-year, 109 credit course of study offered on a full-time basis. The program leads to preparation for licensure as a physical therapist.
Prerequisite Requirements:
Undergraduate prerequisite required coursework includes (see course descriptions below):
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (6-8 credits with lab)
- Biology (6-8 credits with lab)
- Chemistry (Inorganic, 6-8 credits with lab)
- Physics (Non-calculus, 6-8 credits with lab)
- Statistics (Descriptive and inferential, 3-4 credits)
- Mathematics (Pre-calculus or higher, 3-4 credits)
- Psychology (Introduction and upper level, 6-8 credits)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology and Statistics must be taken in the last 10 years
Please note the following:
- Catalog descriptions must match SHU catalog descriptions listed below, especially lab component; this included courses taken in an online format.
- No more than 2 prerequisite courses can be outstanding at the time of application
- AP course credit from high school, accepted by the undergraduate institution, satisfies the prerequisite requirements regardless of where the course was taken. However, AP course grades do not factor into the prerequisite GPA calculation
Prerequisite Courses (45 credits)
| BI 111 | Concepts in Biology I: Molecules to Cells | 3 |
| BI 112 | Concepts in Biology II: Cells to Organisms | 3 |
| BI 113 | Concepts in Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 114 | Concepts in Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 206 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BI 207 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BI 208 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BI 209 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| CH 151 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 152 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 153 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CH 154 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| MA 131 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| MA 140 | Precalculus | 4 |
| PY 111 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PY 112 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PY 113 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PY 114 | General Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Two psychology electives | 6 |
Required Courses
|
Course Sequence Professional Year 1
|
Fall
|
Spring |
|
| PT-611 - Structure & Function I |
6 |
PT-612 - Structure & Function II |
6 |
| PT-621 - Examination & Documentation I |
4 |
PT-622 - Examination & Documentation I |
5 |
| PT-631 - Evaluation & Intervention I |
5 |
PT-632 - Evaluation & Intervention I |
6 |
| |
|
PT-642 - Foundations of Evidence Based Practice |
2 |
| Total Credits |
15 |
Total Credits |
19 |
| |
|
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
|
| PT-740 - Professional Practice I |
1 |
|
|
| PT-651 - Clinical Experience I (8 weeks) |
4 |
|
|
| Total Credits |
5 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Total Credits Year 1 = 39 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Course Sequence Professional Year 2
|
| Fall |
Spring |
| PT-713 - Structure & Function III |
6 |
PT-714 - Structure & Function IV |
5 |
| PT-723 - Examination & Documentation III |
4 |
PT-724 - Examination & Documentation IV |
4 |
| PT-733 - Evaluation & Intervention III |
4 |
PT-734 - Evaluation & Intervention IV |
5 |
| PT-743 - Grand Rounds |
3 |
PT-741 - Professional Practice II |
1 |
| |
|
PT-760 - Special Project I |
3
|
| Total Credits |
17 |
Total Credits |
18 |
| Total Credits Year 2 = 35 |
| |
|
Course Sequence Professional Year 3
|
Late Spring/Summer
|
Fall/Spring |
|
| PT-825 - Contemporary Practice in PT |
8 |
PT-852 - Clinical Experience II (10 weeks) |
5 |
| PT-845 - Professional Practice III |
5 |
PT-853 - Clinical Experience III (10 weeks) |
5
|
| PT-861 - Special Project II |
4 |
PT-854 - Clinical Experience IV (10 weeks) |
5 |
| PT-8XX - Special Topics Elective |
3 |
|
|
| Total Credits |
20 |
Total Credits |
15 |
| Total Credits Year 3 = 35 |
|
| |
|
| Total Credits 109 |
|
| Professional Credits: 90 |
Clinical Credits: 19 |
|