Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Introduction
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 (UNF) 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 licensure examination. 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.
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 Doctoral level, consists of approximatly 102 credit hours taken over eight 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 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. Students who meet minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program. Normally, 36 students will be admitted to the program each year.
Application deadline for the Physical Therapy program (DPT) is Friday, February 15th, 2008.
Criteria for Enrollment in the DPT Program
Prior to enrolling in professional courses, the following credentials are needed:
| - |
A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of North Florida. The DPT program does not require a specific undergraduate major. Students should select an undergraduate major that represents their personal interests and abilities. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program will be admitted contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree prior to enrolling in graduate courses. |
| - |
Documentation of a minimum of eighty (80) hours of volunteer/observation experience under supervision of a physical therapist. |
| - |
Completion of all prerequisite courses within seven (7) years prior to application. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in prerequisite courses may be admitted contingent upon successful completion of all courses with a grade of B or higher in each course. |
| - |
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in prerequisite coursework. |
| - |
A 3.0 GPA or higher in all work attempted as an upper-level student, normally the 60 semester hours taken during the last two years of undergraduate study. |
| - |
A composite score of 1,000 or more on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) from within the past five (5) years. |
Prerequisite Courses:
General
Chemistry I and II - 8 hours
Introduction to Chemistry does not meet this requirement
Example: CHM
2045C and CHM 2046C |
College
Physics I and II with labs - 8 hours
Must be an algebra based physics course
Example: PHY
2053 and PHY 2054 |
Introduction to
to Psychology - 3 hours |
Additional psychology or social sciences course - 3 hours
Select from these: Lifespan Development, Child Psychology,
Human Learning and Performance, Psychology of Abnormal Behavior, Psychology of Disability |
| Medical Terminology (recommended, but not required) - 3 hours |
Elementary
Statistics - 3 hours
Example: STA
2014 |
Biology - 12 hours (either sequence below)
1. General
Biology with lab - 4 hours
Example: BSC
1010C
Anatomy/Physiology
I and II with labs - 8 hours
Example: BSC
2085C and BSC 2086C |
| OR |
2. General Biology I and II with labs - 8 hours
Example: BSC 1010C and BSC 1011C
Human Physiology with lab - at least 3 hours |
Expenses and Financial Assistance
Tuition rates for the Physical Therapy Program are set by UNF’s Board of Trustees. Resident and nonresident tuition rates differ substantially. The curriculum requires students to enroll in at least 14 semester hours each fall and spring and at least 8 semester hours each summer. The cost
of housing and transportation will vary substantially depending on student choices from the various alternatives available on and off campus. Students in the professional program will incur additional
expenses, including laboratory fees in some clinical courses; the cost
of laboratory and clinical uniforms; fees and costs associated with attendance
at professional state/local conferences and meetings; membership in professional
organizations; health insurance; and liability insurance. Students will
also be responsible for transportation and living expenses associated
with clinical internships and immunizations and health screening as required
by clinical facilities.
The physical therapy curriculum is rigorous and requires
a substantial commitment of student time. Students will need to remain
flexible with their time to participate fully in laboratory sessions,
clinic visits, and internships.
Most students are unable to maintain regular employment during enrollment
in the program. Availability of scholarships, fee waivers, and assistantships
is very limited. Those requiring financial assistance while enrolled
in the program should contact the UNF Financial Aid Office (904-620-2604)
for possible sources.
Curriculum
Year
One |
Fall |
- Gross Anatomy for Physical Therapists (6 credits.)
- Professional Issues (2 credits.)
- Clinical Skills (3 credits.)
- Kinesiology (3 credits.)
|
Spring |
- Human Physiology (3 credits)
- Examination and Intervention (4 credits)
- Neuroscience I: Clinical Neuroanatomy/ Physiology (4 credits)
- Clinical Practicum (1 credits)
- Clinical Inquiry I (3 credits)
|
Summer |
- Therapeutic Modalities (3 credits)
- Pharmacology (2 credits)
- Clinical Education Prep I (1 credits)
- Clinical Internship I (4 credits) - 6 weeks
- Special Topics in PT (2 credits)*
|
|
Year
Two |
Fall |
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy I: Extremities (4 credits)
- Applied Pathophysiology (2 credits)
- Neuroscience II: Motor Control and Learning (3 credits)
- Neurology I: Pathology, Examination and Intervention (4 credits)
- Physical Therapy Management of the Integument (1 credit)
|
Spring |
- Exercise Physiology/Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
(4 credits)
- Orthopedic Physical Therapy II: Spine & Occupational Health
(5 credits)
- Neurology II: Advanced Examination and Intervention
(4 credits)
- Clinical Inquiry II (2 credits)
- Special Topics in PT (2 credits)*
|
Summer |
- Clinical Internship II (4 credits) - 6 weeks
- Clinical Internship III (4 credits) - 6 weeks
|
|
Year
Three |
Fall |
- Leadership in Physical Therapy (3 credits)
- Differential Diagnosis (3 credits)
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Prosthetics (3 credits)
- Clinical Inquiry III (2 credits)*
- Lifespan Geriatrics/Pediatrics (4 credits)
- Special Topics in PT (3 credits)*
|
Spring |
- Clinical Internship IV (5 credits) - 8 weeks
- Clinical Internship V (5 credits) - 8 weeks
|
* Courses may not be required of all students |
|
Applying to UNF’s DPT Program
This is a summary of the steps required to complete the application process for UNF’s DPT Program.
Keep in mind that you are applying to the Physical Therapy Program and Graduate School with the same application. If you are a current or former UNF student, the application process is slightly different (see below).
Click here if you would like to view more detailed instructions from the Graduate School’s website.
Click here if you are an international applicant.
If you have questions about the application process please call the Graduate School at 904-620-1360 or the Physical Therapy Program at 904-620-2841.
The Graduate School
University of North Florida
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
First-time UNF Students:
- Fill out an application
- Click here for the online application
- Click here for a paper application
- See the Graduate School’s website for the latest information on application submission fees; make checks payable to the
“Graduate School”. The Graduate School will not process your application without payment of the application fee.
- Have official transcripts from every college you attended sent to the Graduate School.
- Request that your official GRE scores are sent to UNF. UNF’s institution code is 5490
- Fill out an application check list and send it the Graduate School along with the rest of your application materials.
Please be thorough as this will speed up the application process.
Click here to download the check list. (pdf)
Current or Former UNF Students:
- You will not need to fill out a full application or pay the application fee. You will simply need to complete the
Student Update Form and return it to the Graduate School. At this time, the form must be completed in paper version.
To download the form, click here.
- If you have attended any other colleges since you last attended UNF, you
will need to supply official copies of those transcripts to the Graduate
School.
- 3. Requirements for the GRE remain the same for all students. Request that your official GRE scores are sent to UNF. UNF’s institution code is 5490.
- Fill out an application check list and send it the Graduate School along with the rest of your application materials.
Please be thorough as this will speed up the application process.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Helpful Links:
Financial Aid
One Stop Center 904- 620-5555
Graduate Learning Outcome Statement -
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Background Checks
E-Mail:
Department of Athletic Training & Physical
Therapy: atpt@unf.edu 904-620-2841
or
Brooks College of Health Advising: cohadvis@unf.edu 904-620-2812
Brooks College of
Health
|
