114 Credit Hours
Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
PTs examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function and prevent disability. In addition, PTs work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility before it occurs by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles.
PTs provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings and nursing homes. State licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices.
Accreditation
The Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association, 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA 22305-3085; phone: (703)706-3245; email: accrediation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org. Current and prospective students who have concerns related to the Physical Therapy Program may contact CAPTE in writing.
Our Vision
The vision of the Alabama State University’s Physical Therapy Program (ASU PT) is to graduate entry-level general practitioners who develop lifelong learning skills, adapt to the ever changing health care environment, and utilizes evidence based practice in serving the diverse population with emphasis on the medically underserved areas/populations.
Our Mission
The Mission of ASU PT program is to prepare and graduate reflective physical therapy practitioners from underrepresented populations, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, who are lifelong learners and can provide culturally competent physical therapy services in a global society.
Our Philosophy
The philosophy of the ASU PT is based on the belief that concepts from the physical, biological, and social sciences serve as the foundation for physical therapy education and practice. Therefore, the elements of prevention, examination, evaluation, and intervention are based on the application of these concepts for a better understanding of patient’s physical, psychological, and social condition, thereby enhancing overall physical therapy management. Furthermore, we believe that individual and cultural differences have a significant impact on health, illness, disability, and recovery. Consequently, the program attempts to address these issues throughout the didactic and clinical curricula for achieving meaningful patient outcomes. We believe that learning is an interactive process that is most effective when the following conditions are in place:
- Objectives are clear, attainable and meaningful to the learner.
- A variety of learning experiences are planned for the attainment of objectives, and are arranged so that they provide continuity, reinforcement and association, building on prior knowledge and experiences.
- The learner is provided opportunities to utilize critical thinking in applying knowledge, concepts and principles in a variety of situations.
- Individual variables and environmental factors are considered in meeting the needs of the learner.
- Measurable outcomes are produced.
We believe that in this physical therapy program, students function best in a supportive and nurturing environment. We offer advising and mentoring to ensure that students have, on a continuous basis, the opportunity to express their needs and obtain the tools to self-assess for lifelong learning.
We believe that our program will prepare students to function in specific ways. The program, through its curriculum (including evidence for current practice), supports an appropriate learning environment, and exemplary professional behavior reflects our attempt to produce practitioners who can function competently, compassionately, and autonomously. The program is charged with producing entry-level, professional general practitioners, capable of serving the community. We believe that the program provides graduates with the potential to respond effectively to the ever-changing demands of the profession, society, and the healthcare environment.
ASU PT Student Educational Goals
To achieve the Program Mission and recognizing the expanding role of the physical therapist, the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery, and the ever changing health needs of society, the Alabama State University’s Physical Therapy Program strives to prepare graduates to be reflective practitioners who meet the following goals/objectives.
Goal 1: Graduate students who demonstrate sensitivity and professional behavior recognizing the role of the PT in a diverse healthcare environment during all practitioner-client interactions.
Objective 1: Students recognize the influence of social, economic, legislative, and demographic factors on the delivery of healthcare.
Objective 2: Students communicate with diverse audiences demonstrating sensitivity and awareness of individual differences such as age, race, gender, and socioeconomic background.
Goal 2: Graduate students who are proficient practitioners of physical therapy interventions utilizing evidence-based practice, clinical decision making skills and self-reflection to promote the role of the PT across the continuum of care.
Objective 1: Students demonstrate professionalism through practicing physical therapy in an ethical, legal, safe, caring, and effective manner.
Objective 2: Students serve as advocates for health promotion and disease prevention through screening individuals across the lifespan and continuum of care to determine the need for physical therapy examination or referral to other health professionals and/or community services.
Objective 3: Students utilize the patient/client management model to examine, evaluate, assess, in order to make an appropriate physical therapy diagnosis or referral as well as utilize clinical decision making skills to design/manage a comprehensive physical therapy plan of care.
Objective 4: Students collaborate with other healthcare professionals in ways that reflect their roles and responsibilities as professional physical therapists and as part of the healthcare team.
Objective 5: Students advance the profession of PT through critical analysis of published literature and research to appropriately integrate into daily clinical practice as well as challenge change for the future.
Goal 3: Graduate students who strive to become lifelong learners and leaders in the practice of physical therapy and/or physical therapy education/research.
Objective 1: Students participate in consultative, educational, administrative /managerial, and supervisory roles in diverse practice and educational environments.
Objective 2: Students value the role of the PT in service and leadership through ongoing participation in the Professional Service Development Program.
Objective 3: Students participate in teaching and research opportunities available in the classroom, clinic, university and community.
Prerequisite Courses (entry-level DPT degree program)
In addition to satisfying the general admission requirements of The Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School at Alabama State University, the following special requirements must be satisfied by students seeking admission to the physical therapy program:
| PREREQUISITE COURSE/SUBJECT AREA |
TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED |
| Biological Sciences w/Lab |
8 |
| Human Physiology w/Lab |
4 |
| Human Anatomy w/Lab |
4 |
| General College Chemistry I & II w/Lab |
8 |
| College Physics w/Lab I&II |
8 |
| General Psychology |
3 |
| Statistics |
3 |
| Calculus, Pre Cal/Trig or higher |
3 |
| Speech |
3 |
English Writing Composition
(beyond the basic English Composition) |
3 |
| Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| Upper Level Psychology, Sociology or Ethics |
3 |
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Completed application package for the physical therapy program. (www.PTCAS.org);
- Completion of required prerequisite courses with a “C" or above Grade of “B” is recommended.
- A minimum of 40 hours of observation, volunteer or paid service in physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist at a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, outpatient clinic, or community center. (Two sites are suggested).
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores. A passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Test of Written English (TWE) and the Test of Spoken English (TSE) for international students; all exam results should be received by the application deadline.
- Three recommendations are required: one from a physical therapist documenting applicant’s exposure to a physical therapy clinical setting; the other two can come from another physical therapist, college professor, academic advisor or recent employer who can evaluate the applicant’s academic abilities and character.
- A written personal statement demonstrating the student’s ability to communicate clearly his or her interest in pursuing the clinical doctorate in physical therapy. The essays will be submitted through PTCAS.org.
Note: Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Prerequisites are subject to change.
Curriculum
Each student enrolled in the physical therapy program is expected to complete the 114 hours of professional courses, including four full-time clinical internships. Students become eligible for the National Physical Therapy Examination after graduation from an accredited physical therapy program. The curriculum is subject to change.
Fall, Year 1 (12 Credit Hours)
Spring, Year 1 (18 Credit Hours)
Summer, Year 1 (10 Credit Hours)
| HSC 5007 | Research in the Health Profess | 2 |
| PTH 5236 | Intro to Therapeutic Exercise | 2 |
| PTH 5321 | Applied Pathology and Histolog | 2 |
| PTH 5390 | Clinical Affiliation I | 3 |
| PTH 5391 | Intro to Clinical Practice | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Fall, Year 2 (16 Credit Hours)
Spring, Year 2 (16 Credit Hours)
Summer, Year 2 (9 Credit Hours)
Fall, Year 3 (15 Credit Hours)
Spring, Year 3 (12 Credit Hours)
Summer, Year 3 (6 Credit Hours)
| PTH 7890 | Clinical Affiliation IV | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Total Credit Hours: 114