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Program Profile: Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program Description | Accreditation | Program Highlights
About the Profession | Faculty | Class Size
Length of Program | Locations | Prerequisites
Costs | Scholarships and Financial Aid | How to Apply

Program Description

Name of program: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Program Overview: The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a 100-credit, eight-semester program leading to the entry level credential for the practice of physical therapy in all 50 states. Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the Nation Physical Therapy Board Examination. The program includes 47 weeks of clinical affiliation or practicums during the three years and is complimented with a solid curriculum based on a human systems approach threaded with critical inquiry, problem solving, case studies and outcomes assessment. The department operates a physical and occupational therapy clinical practice which is dovetailed into each students learning during certain semesters. The program has been in operation since 1991 and is a member of the Graduate School and Kasiska College of Health Professions.

Accreditation

The DPT Program is Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The program met all CAPTE standards in 2006 and the next full accreditation is scheduled for 2016. Questions concerning accreditation can be directed to the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, 111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, or by phone at (703) 684-2784.

Program Highlights

  • The DPT program is the only physical therapy training program in Idaho.
  • The DPT program was one of the first to be accredited under the new 2006 CAPTE Standards.
  • The first time pass rate on the NPTE Board exam is 95% since the program's inception in 1991.
  • The program operates an outpatient faculty student clinical practice on campus.
  • Job placement in the last 5 years for all graduates is 100%.

About the Profession

The primary mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to provide entry level education in a supportive learning environment fostering diverse and interdisciplinary didactic and clinical experiences, clinical skills acquisition, and a desire for life long learning to enhance the delivery of physical therapy services and the profession. Further, the program emphasizes faculty and student enrichment through scholarly endeavors, teaching, service and clinical practice contributions within their areas of expertise. Graduates have wonderful practice options in private practice, hospitals settings, nursing home facilities, industry and school systems. The profession also offers numerous specialty practices such as pediatrics, sports, orthopedics, geriatrics, hand therapy, neurological practice, wound healing and cardiopulmonary. The job market as of this writing in 2007 is excellent. Starting salaries are generally hight in larger metropolitan areas.

Potential Salary: $55,000 - $100,000

Faculty

Seven full-time faculty, 50 clinical faculty and 144 clinical sites.

  • Several faculty in the program have received awards for outstanding teaching and service from the university and the clinical community.
  • Ninety percent of faculty members have published in peer reviewed journals.
  • All faculty are involved in patient care either in the department practice or in the community.
  • Numerous faculty hold positions in professional associations at the state, regional, and national levels.

Class Size

Fixed Seats: Yes

Number of students in entering class: 24

Total number of students enrolled in program: 71

Length of Program

Number of academic years needed to complete the program: 3

Locations

Locations offered: Pocatello

Program offered fully online? No

Program delivered through distance presentation? No

Prerequisites

Required Degree: BS, BA or other four-year undergraduate degree. Please see the program's web site for additional specifics.

Costs

Tuition: Resident: $3,103/Semester
Non-resident: $7,445/Semester
Summer Sessions: $259 credit

Professional fees: Resident: $783
Non resident: $2,700

Equipment: $100 semester

Books: $300 semester

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Scholarship Deadline: Contact the Scholarship Office for more information.

Financial Aid Deadline: Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: December 15 each year

Program Start Date: August: Fall semester

Other Information: Department website