Program Requirements
In the pre-professional phase of study, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 and a minimum science GPA of 2.5/4.0 with no individual science grade lower than 2.0.
Required pre-professional course work includes completion of the general education program and major requirements including 18 credit hours in a cognate discipline or minor of choice. In fulfilling the cognate requirement, students must take at least 2 courses at the 300 level or higher.
While completing the pre-professional phase of study, students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of observation per year in a physical therapy practice setting, e.g. hospital, outpatient clinic, school, long-term care, etc. Students may not repeat observation in the same or similar settings except by permission of their faculty advisor or the Director of Clinical Education (DCE). Students must complete and submit to their advisor the Documentation of Clinical Hours form at the conclusion of each experience.
Students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Health Science at the completion of the first professional year.
Professional-phase students must maintain at least a 3.0/4.0 GPA, with no grade lower than 2.0. Any student whose professional-phase cummulative GPA falls below 3.0 is placed on academic probation. Students with deficient GPA's have two academic semesters to remediate their GPA to 3.0, and must retain it at that level through the remainder of the professional program, or be subject to dismissal from the program. Students who receive a failing grade for any clinical experience are unable to progress in the program. Remediation plans to allow students to re-enter the program in the following academic year will be developed on an individual basis. Students may not remediate more than two courses in the professional phase of the program.
Candidates for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (professional years 5 and 6) must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 with a maximum of two 'C' grades. Failure to meet the 3.00 GPA requirement prior to the final clinical education experience will result in dismissal from the program.