×ö°®ÊÓƵ

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

Program Director: Dr. Erin Faraclas, PT, DPT, Ph.D. Ìý

×ö°®ÊÓƵ Course Catalog

×ö°®ÊÓƵ is proud to offer a modern, practical, immersive curriculum for our unique degree programs.ÌýOur career-focused education brings learning to life.

Q&A and Technical Standards

Questions & Answers

1. What are the entrance requirements for the DPT Bridge program? The requirements for application and admission for the DPT Bridge Program are listed below. Candidates may apply with or without an earned bachelor’s degree.Ìý Students who have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the USA will apply through PTCAS ([http://about:blank/]https://ptcasdirectory.apta.org/). Students who do not have an earned bachelor’s degree will apply through PTCAS ([http://about:blank/]https://ptcasdirectory.apta.org/) and through the ×ö°®ÊÓƵ application portal to submit all relevant documentation for the transfer of all prerequisite credits. Candidates will also need to submit a personal statement as part of the admission process that details your interest in the program and how it will enable you to accomplish your professional goals.

Admission requirements:ÌýÌý

• • • • Evidence of having graduated from a CAPTE accredited physical therapist assistant program.ÌýÌý
      • Active PTA license in a U.S. jurisdiction, currently working with contemporary evidence of work by resume, recommended a minimum of 32 hours per month.ÌýÌýÌý
      • One-year full-time experience (or equivalent) working as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant within 3 years of matriculation.Ìý
      • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0/4.0 and minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0/4.0ÌýÌý
      • Successful completion of at least 60 undergraduate semester-credits (or 90 quarter-credits) through PTA degree.ÌýÌýÌý
      • Three professional letters of reference. One must be from a supervising PT. It is recommended one from a past professor if available or secondary supervisory reference if not. Letters from family and friends will not be accepted.ÌýÌýÌý
      • GREs taken within the last 10 years. No minimum after first cohort accepted average scores of cohort will be published for subsequent cohorts.Ìý
      • TOEFL if applicable.ÌýÌý
      • Transcripts for all college coursework. Prerequisite courses must be completed at a minimum level of C (B- is preferred), with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0/4.0 and a minimum science prerequisite grade point average of 3.0/4.0. Please note that all science courses must be appropriate for majors in that discipline. We allow up to three repeated courses where we take the highest grade. We count the first three repeats taken, regardless of the course. After that, we take both grades in the GPA calculations. W does not count as a repeat. AP credits for pre-requisite courses with a score of 4 or better will be accepted. Courses taken Pass/No Pass will not be accepted. An exception will be granted for classes taken as Pass/No Pass during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For these courses, students must receive course credit, verified on a transcript with a Pass grade equivalent of A, B, or C.Ìý
      • Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree: 60 semester creditsÌý

Prerequisite courses:Ìý

• • • • BIO 116 Introduction to Biology Course (not botany) 3 semester credits (equal to 4 quarter credits)Ìý
      • BIO *107 Comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology I and Lab 3 semester credits with labÌý
      • BIO *127 Comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab 3 semester credits with labÌý
      • CHM *300 Chemistry I and Lab (MA/SCI Core) 3 semester credits with labÌý
      • CHM *400 Chemistry II and Lab (MA/SCI Core) 3 semester creditsÌý
      • PHY *200 Physics I & Lab (MA/SCI Core) 3 semester credits with labÌý
      • PHY *300 Physics II & Lab (MA/SCI Core) 3 semester credits with labÌý
      • PS 201 Introduction to Psychology (SS Core) 3 semester creditsÌý
      • PS 410 Applied Research Statistics (SS Core) 3 semester creditsÌý
      • PS 440 Developmental Psychology (SS Core) 3 semester creditsÌý
      • RS *411 Exercise Physiology and Laboratory 4 semester credits Ìý

1. Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree to apply to the DPT Bridge Program? No, you do not need to have a bachelor’s degree to apply to the DPT Bridge Program. You do need to meet the entrance requirements including the prerequisite courses, GPA and application process as described for applicants without a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a bachelor’s program at ×ö°®ÊÓƵ if you do not already have a bachelor’s degree completed by time of entrance to the program.Ìý
2. I am a PTA and I do not have a bachelor’s degree. Will this affect my coursework or the length of the program?ÌýThe length of the DPT program will not be affected if you do not have a bachelor’s degree. There are courses that will be needed to complete the bachelor’s degree outside of the prerequisites and DPT courses. These must be completed prior to starting the DPT, you will finish your bachelor’s degree with the remaining 2 terms as your first 2 terms of the DPT dually enrolled.ÌýÌý
3. I am a PTA and have already earned my bachelor’s degree. Will this affect my coursework or the length of the program?ÌýÌý Holding a bachelor’s degree will not affect the length of the program or the coursework.Ìý
4. Do I need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) to be accepted into the program?ÌýIf you are an external applicant and completed your PTA degree and Bachelor’s degree outside of ×ö°®ÊÓƵ, GRE’s are required and must be taken within 10 years before application.

5. Is ×ö°®ÊÓƵ accredited? ×ö°®ÊÓƵ is accredited by the ×ö°®ÊÓƵ Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles ×ö°®ÊÓƵ to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see ×ö°®ÊÓƵ’s catalog.Ìý

6. Is the DPT program at ×ö°®ÊÓƵ accredited? Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone; 703-706-3245; [email protected] is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.ÌýÌýÌý

   Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT;) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT’s website.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

   ×ö°®ÊÓƵ Institute of Technology is seeking accreditation of a new physical therapist education program from CAPTE. The program is planning to submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on May 1, 2025. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the professional phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in professional courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted accreditation.ÌýÌý

7. Can I transfer credits earned at another college to ×ö°®ÊÓƵ? Students cannot transfer any courses to replace DPT courses in their curriculum.ÌýÌý

8. Are there other things I should know about the admissions process? The DPT program at ×ö°®ÊÓƵ does not discriminate against qualified people with disabilities in the admissions process. We do require all students to meet the Program’s Essential Functions and Technical Standards with or without reasonable accommodations.ÌýÌý

9. ÌýDo I need to maintain a certain grade point average?Ìý Yes. You are required to have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0/4.0 and a minimum science prerequisite grade point average of 3.0/4.0 in order to apply to the DPT Bridge Program. You are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program.Ìý Students who fail more than two courses in the curriculum, or fail the same course twice, or whose GPA falls below 3.0 for more than 2 terms will be dismissed. Students who are dismissed will have the option of reapplying to the program after 2 years of full-time clinical practice as a PTA and will repeat the program in its entirety.ÌýÌýÌý

   Ìý

10. Do I need to have a Criminal Background check?All DPT students are required to have a criminal background check. The Joint Commission on requires all healthcare facilities which they accredit to perform criminal background checks on students. Prior to entering clinical affiliation, students will be required to undergo a criminal background check. In addition to the criminal background check required by (The Joint Commission), some clinical sites may also require a national criminal background check. It will be necessary for students to sign a Consent and Disclaimer permitting ×ö°®ÊÓƵ to perform a criminal background check and a Release and Authorization permitting ×ö°®ÊÓƵ to disclose the results of the criminal background check to a clinical site where the student is being considered for placement. Students have an obligation to self-disclose to the Department Chair any criminal convictions or pending criminal federal, state, or local charges which occur after a criminal background check has been performed. When they do, the student must undergo an updated background check. If a background check reveals any criminal convictions, the student may be disqualified from a clinical placement or employment in the field. When a student is declined a placement by a site as a result of a positive background check, another attempt will be made to place a student in a clinical site. If a background check reveals any criminal convictions, the student may be disqualified from a clinical placement or employment in the field. Further, students convicted of a felony will need to comply with state licensure requirements for The Rhode Island Department of Health. Students assume the cost of all background checks. ÌýÌýÌýSome facilities may also require a drug screen prior to accepting a student for clinical placement. ×ö°®ÊÓƵ makes no guarantee that once a student is matriculated, the student will be able to attend any clinical affiliation training setting, sit for the national certification, or gain licensure if the student has a prior criminal conviction. This is the student’s responsibility to discover what they must do to manage a positive criminal background investigation. A graduate from the program may not be able to obtain a license depending on the criminal offense and the decision of the license board in each state.ÌýÌý

11. When do my classes meet?ÌýThis is a hybrid program with a combination of weeks done remotely with asynchronous and synchronous work online and onsite intensive laboratory weeks in person at the East Greenwich campus.Ìý The specific pattern of attendance for dates will be listed on the website and student handbook when scheduled.ÌýÌý

    Classes canceled by the College for any reason will be rescheduled.ÌýÌýÌý

12. How large will my classes be? The average size for a class is about 18 to 20 students; however, larger and smaller classes occur from time to time. Laboratory coursework will have a ratio of 9 students to instructor.ÌýÌýÌý
13. Where do my classes meet? Remote work occurs online; in-person onsite intensive work occurs on the East Greenwich campus. Ìý
14. How long should it take me to complete my program? If you successfully complete each course as listed in the DPT curriculum you will finish in 31 months over 11 terms.ÌýÌýÌý
15. How many credits do I need to acquire my Financial Aid? Students entering the program will be eligible for various forms of financial aid, including loans. See your financial aid officer for additional details. The program has enough credits each semester to apply for financial aid.Ìý

16. 17. What does my program cost? The cost will be as outlined in your enrollment agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials.ÌýÌýÌý

17. What kind of employment assistance does ×ö°®ÊÓƵ offer? ÌýThe Career Services Office assists ×ö°®ÊÓƵ students and graduates in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers has existedÌýas a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and ×ö°®ÊÓƵ does not guarantee to its graduates employment or a specific starting salary.ÌýÌý

18. Where will job opportunities exist? The DPT program will prepare you to sit for the national licensure examination in any of the 50 United States and graduates will have the ability to look nationally for employment opportunities.ÌýÌýÌý
19. Is there any state or federal licensing required in my field? All Graduates of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are required to pass the National Physical Therapist Examination to obtain licensure. Individual additional licensure requirements vary by state.Ìý

Technical Standards/ Essential FunctionsÌýÌý

The Bridge to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is a rigorous and intense program requiring specific functions and abilities for the safety and success of students enrolled in the program. The knowledge skills and abilities of the program are the same as the knowledge skills and abilities needed for clinical practice upon graduation.Ìý Ìý

Physical Therapist Graduates are expected upon graduation to demonstrate entry-level knowledge skills and abilities across clinical practice settings as a generalist practice. Essential functions are the aptitudes and abilities required of physical therapist students to successfully complete the curriculum of the Bridge to DPT program, and to perform the clinical skills of a physical therapist consistent with The APTA Professional Standards and the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice. Ìý

These essential functions of the DPT Bridge Program establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies to enter this field. Successful students must possess the following skills and abilities or be able to demonstrate that they can complete the requirements of the program with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. Ìý

Upon admission, students must be able to perform each of the essential functions outlined below during classroom, laboratory, and patient clinical care and research settings.ÌýÌýÌý

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSÌýÌý

Students are required to perform the following essential functions of the DPT program:ÌýÌý

AffectiveÌý Behaviors:ÌýÌý

• • Ability to maintain emotional stability and the maturity necessary to interact with other members of the faculty, students, patients, and caregivers in a responsible manner. Ìý
  • Meet deadlines and time requirements for assignments.ÌýÌý
  • ÌýUtilize strategies to appropriately react to feedback and under difficult situations.ÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate professionalism as outlined by the American Physical Therapy Associations Core ValuesÌýÌý
  • Develop professional, respectful, culturally sensitive empathetic relationships with individuals from all lifestyles, cultures, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities.ÌýÌýÌý

• • Develop and have effective relationships with faculty, students, professional colleagues, peers, patients/clients, families, and the general public.ÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate an ability to function effectively in complex, highly stimulating environments.ÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate responsibility for self-directed assessment, reflection, and professional growth.ÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate accountability for the consequences of one’s own actions with honesty, and empathy.ÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior, proper judgment, and decision-making skills in and out of class.ÌýÌý

Communications Skills:ÌýÌý

• • Communicate effectively with faculty, clients, staff, and other professionals using layman’s terms or medical terminology as appropriate. Ìý
  • Orally report data and observations in language appropriate to the situation.ÌýÌý
  • Read English sufficiently to understand and comprehend college-level textbooks, written protocols, documentation in client’s chart, information necessary for documentation, evaluation, and directions on tools or packaging. Ìý
  • Interpret and respond professionally to non-verbal, verbal, and written communication from patients, faculty, students and the community. Ìý
  • Write English sufficiently to legibly record client evaluations, progress notes, and other documentation for the client’s chart. Ìý
  • Express thoughts clearly and succinctly in one-on-one and larger group settings.ÌýÌý
  • Give written or verbal instructions in English to direct others in their work and to carry out intervention and assessment.ÌýÌý

Cognitive Ability:ÌýÌý

• • Process, synthesize, organize, and learn new material in order to plan and implement a variety of activities. Ìý
  • Identify cause-and-effect relationships in clinical situations; synthesize data and draw sound conclusions.ÌýÌý
  • Problem solve independently using several variables at once.ÌýÌý
  • Utilize basic math concepts for measurement and construction tasks.ÌýÌý
  • Imitate role modeling of professional skills and behaviors.ÌýÌý
  • Perceive events realistically, and think rationally and clearly to function in routine and emergency situationsÌý Ìý

• • Follow written or verbal instructions in English.ÌýÌý
  • Prioritize information from several sources to solve problems.ÌýÌýÌý
  • Measure, Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data and multiple sources of information.Ìý Ìý
  • Recall, interpret, apply, and deduce information. Ìý
  • Respond to emergent and unsafe situations with timely judgments and reactions. Ìý
  • Professionally seek assistance from others, apply and accept feedbackÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate adherence to legal and regulatory requirementsÌýÌý
  • Demonstrate Self-management skills in organizing, preparing, and time management.Ìý Ìý

Physical Ability:ÌýÌý

• • Ability to stand and/or sit for long periods of time.ÌýÌý
  • Possess balance, movement, hand-eye coordination, physical capability, and dexterity required to perform patient care tasks safely.ÌýÌý
  • Ability to perform learned skills, independently, with accuracy and completeness.ÌýÌý
  • Be able to perform intermittent physical activity for 8 hours a day in clinical skills labs and patient care settings.ÌýÌýÌý
  • Be able to tolerate equipment such as gloves, masks, and other personal protective equipment throughout an 8-hour day. Ìý
  • React to emergent situations including sudden movement of others for their and your own safety.ÌýÌý
  • Maintain physical health through required immunizations of clinical care.ÌýÌýÌý

Manual Ability:ÌýÌý

• • Sufficient motor function and sensory abilities to participate effectively in the classroom laboratory clinical patient care and research settings.ÌýÌýÌý
  • Sufficient manual dexterity and motor coordination to coordinate hands, eyes, and fingers in the use of physical therapy equipment. Ìý
  • Engage in complex, coordinated movements needed during a variety of activities including skills in lab practice and clinical settings, including manual techniques, patient examination, intervention, and guarding. Ìý

Sensory Ability:ÌýÌý

VisualÌýÌý

• • • Observe and obtain information from all relevant sources required during client care. Acute enough to read small, printed language on tools used for therapy. Also, adequate distant vision to respond to cues in a visual environment approximately 20 feet away Ìý
    • Sufficient contrast sensitivity to interpret information on medical monitors and equipment with LED screens, etc.ÌýÌýÌý

AuditoryÌýÌýÌý

• • • Perceive spoken word; hear and interpret loud, soft, and muffled sounds (including alarms and machinery).Ìý Ìý

TactileÌýÌý

• • • Use sensation for physical assessment of clients (pulse/muscle movement) and to perceive environmental cues (temperature, vibration, pressure) and diagnose patient presentations.ÌýÌý

Students Seeking Accommodations: ADD disability resource information here.ÌýÌýÌý

Reference: Ingram, D. (1997). Opinions of Physical Therapy Education Program Directors on Essential Functions, Physical Therapy, 77(1), 37-45.Ìý

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