Athletic Training & Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists are health professionals who work with individuals in preventing, evaluating, and treating physical dysfunction and injury.
An understanding of human movement serves as the foundation for the practice of physical therapy.

 The physical therapy program at the University of North Florida provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to become generalist practitioners of
the highest caliber. Physical therapists are graduates of an accredited physical therapy program who have passed a state licensure examination. UNF's physical therapy program has received accreditation of its Doctorate degree program and graduates are eligible to take the national licensure examination.

Applicants to the professional physical therapy program must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of North Florida prior to entering the program.

The professional curriculum, all of which takes place at the graduate level, consists of 102 credit hours taken over seven semesters.  Applicants must comply with all requirements and procedures of the University of North Florida related to admission to graduate level programs.

The number of students to be admitted each year will be determined by the Brooks College of Health, in consultation with physical therapy program faculty, with consideration of the resources available to the program, the quality and size of the applicant pool, and current market conditions.  Normally, 36 students will be admitted to the program each year, so students who meet minimum requirements are not necessarily guaranteed admission to the program.  

UNF's Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and graduates are eligible to take the national licensure examination.

Athletic Training

This program, which leads to a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, will prepare the student for an entry-level career in the care, prevention and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses to the physically active.

In addition to the degree requirements listed in the program of study, this program also requires a clinical component.  The clinical component provides important hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings including: hospitals, sports medicine clinics, area high schools, professional teams, and
 collegiate athletic teams of the  Jacksonville University and UNF Athletic  Departments.  The clinical component is  typically fulfilled Monday - Friday from  approximately 1 pm - 6 pm and usually  includes night and weekend hours,  depending on the clinical assignment.  

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Exercise Science

The Department of Clinical and Applied Movement Sciences offers an
Exercise Science concentration. This concentration culminates in a Bachelor of Science in Health (B.S.H.) degree. Of major concern to society is the health and well-being of its citizens. Exercise Scientists are health care professionals that utilize knowledge of the human body’s adaptive responses to exercise to address an individual’s health, fitness, or performance goals. 

Exercise Science students who wish to continue their academic studies will benefit from a well rounded curriculum designed to prepare students for admission into graduate programs in Exercise Physiology or other Health Care professions.  Exercise Science is often cited as the preferred undergraduate program of study for students interested in the advanced degree of Physical Therapy.  Other graduate programs that are of interest to Exercise Science students are: Occupational Therapy, Chiropractics, Medicine, Physicians Assistant, Sports Psychology, and Pharmacy.