Goals and Objectives

GOAL OF DPT PROGRAM

THE PURPOSE OF THE DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM (DPT) IS TO PREPARE PHYSICAL THERAPISTS WHO WILL:

  1. Be primary providers of physical therapy care.
  2. Serve as responsible members in the professional community and are willing and able to assume leadership roles in the communities they serve.
  3. Identify re-searchable problems, advocate and participate in research, and incorporate research findings into clinical practice.
  4. Understand and place in context the social, economic and cultural issues of practice and effectively advocate for changes in policy.
  5. Correlate theory with practice and think creatively about, react to, adapt or shape new practice environments.
  6. Participate in and provide education for communities, patients, peers, students and others.

OBJECTIVES OF DPT PROGRAM

GRADUATES OF THE DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM WILL:

  1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences relevant to physical therapy, both in their fundamental context and in their application to the discipline of physical therapy.
  2. Understand, correlate and apply theoretical foundations of knowledge to the practice of physical therapy; evaluate and clarify new or evolving theory relevant to physical therapy.
  3. Demonstrate the behaviors of the scholarly clinician by developing and utilizing the process of critical thinking and inquiry, particularly focused on the improvement of the practice of physical therapy and the delivery of health care.
  4. Engage in reflective practice through sound clinical decision making, critical self-assessment and commitment to lifelong learning.
  5. Demonstrate mastery of entry level professional clinical skills. Provision of these services is based on the best available evidence and includes physical therapy examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, prevention activities, wellness initiatives and appropriate health care utilization.
  6. Prepared to influence the development of human health care regulations and policies that are consistent with the needs of the patient and of the society.
  7. Demonstrate leadership, management, and communication skills to effectively participate in physical therapy practice and the health care team.
  8. Incorporate and demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviors to all persons.
  9. Demonstrate the professional and social skills to adapt to changing health care environments to effectively provide physical therapy care
  10. Approved by Higher Education Commission (From Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum)