Physical Therapy Department
Program Description
The Physical Therapy Program is an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program, accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Education, which prepares students for state professional license examination. The curriculum emphasizes clinical skill and research capability development through a three-year graduate study plan of didactic coursework, faculty-guided research projects, and clinical internships. A significant number of teaching assistantships are available on a competitive basis.
The Physical Therapy Department is currently housed within the Independence Square Building on Rt. 138 at the west end of campus. The close proximity of the Department to other agencies and groups in the Independence Square Building (Exercise Science Program, Communicative Disorders, Seniors Helping Others, United Cerebral Palsy, etc.) is unique, and encourages collaboration in service, research, and instruction.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns related to the Physical Therapy Department, please contact Jane Schmitz.
Program Philosophy
The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Rhode Island is dedicated to producing skilled Physical Therapists with the broad knowledge, understanding, and competence needed in the evaluation and treatment of human movement dysfunction. The Program provides theoretic and clinical learning experiences based on scientific information and focused on the practical aspects of modern clinical therapeutic methods.
Our Mission Statement
We are dedicated to graduating doctors of physical therapy competent in providing physical therapy to a variety of patient/client populations in Rhode Island and nationwide; who value the need for and use of evidence in practice and ; who are committed to professional development through life long learning; and are active contributors to their communities. The Program aspires to advance the theory and practice of PT and provide service to the University, State, and nation. The Program works to promote the profession, interacting communities and related disciplines.
The program is highly selective and seeks candidates who exhibit a combination of success in the sciences and in serving persons who have a disability. The curriculum is designed to challenge students toward excellence in research and service.
Accreditations
The Program is fully accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. CAPTE is the sole accreditation agency for physical therapy programs in the nation. It is our policy to maintain accreditation, and our next site visit is scheduled to be September, 2015. Licensure through the state is required for practice as a physical therapist. Licensure is gained through successful completion of the National Physical Therapy Examination offered by the Federation of State Boards in Physical Therapy.
83% of admitted students graduate from the program (3-year average); 100% of graduates over the past three years have successfully passed the licensure exam; and 100% of those program graduates responding to surveys are employed if they desire to be so (3-year average).
Comments about the URI - PT Program can be mailed to the American Physical Therapy Association, Attention: Accreditation Department, 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488; Fax: 703/684-7343; or e-mailed to accreditation@apta.org.
Clinical Affiliations
The clinical education component of the University of Rhode Island Physical Therapy Program curriculum occurs throughout the duration of the program. It begins in the academic portion of the curriculum with a part-time clinical experience at local sites designed for students to practice basic skills learned throughout the first 2 1/2 years of coursework. The three full time clinical internships are 12 weeks in duration and consist of experiences in acute care, rehabilitation, orthopedics, sports, pediatric and geriatric settings. Sites are concentrated in the Rhode Island and New England area, but sites have been established across the United States.
A major goal of the PT program is to develop and maintain positive working experiences with clinical internship sites. This attention helps to produce consistency and adherence to high standards in assuring quality learning experiences for students.
Announcements
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The Physical Therapy Department at URI participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants for the 2014 entering class can apply online using the PTCAS Web application, beginning in July 2013. To learn more about the PTCAS application process, please visit www.ptcas.org.
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The Annual Open House will be held on September 26, 2013 from 4:30pm-6pm in Independence Square.
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Interviews for the 2014 entering class will be held on January 3 and 4, 2014. Interviews are by invitation only.
Program Highlights
