Program Goals
Program Goals:
The program has the responsibility to:
1. Develop a curriculum which challenges students to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners and competent, ethical professionals based on contemporary education and practice.
2. Create a collaborative, caring, learner centered Christian environment where every student feels valued and respected.
3. Build strong relationships with institutional and community partners to address the continuing health care needs of Alabama and the surrounding region.
Faculty Goals:
Faculty members have the responsibility to:
1. Serve as role models to students, faculty, and the community, in service, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration.
2. Exhibit a strong commitment to excellence through knowledge acquisition, practice and professional growth in teaching, service and scholarship.
Student Goals:
Students are expected to:
1. Demonstrate skills necessary to practice physical therapy in a variety of settings with integrity, both independently and collaboratively, utilizing the best available evidence and sound clinical judgment.
2. Exhibit the traits of lifelong learners who continue to grow professionally and personally through continuing education, mentorship and self-directed learning.
3. Develop an appreciation for the role of each physical therapist in impacting change within the profession, the community and society as a whole.
Graduate Goals:
Graduates are expected to:
1. Engage in compassionate, holistic, person centered, evidence-based care which promotes optimal movement and health.
2. Participate in activities which support the physical therapists’ leadership role in effecting change within their profession, community and society.
3. Practice the traits of lifelong learners who continue to grow professionally and personally through continuing education, mentorship and self-directed learning.
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
- Applicants must complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to starting the DPT program.
G.P.A Requirements
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or greater (4.0 scale) in the following:
- Last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree coursework
- Prerequisite courses
- While not required, an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher is strongly recommended
Prerequisite Course Requirements
- Human Anatomy/ A & P I with lab (4 credits hours)
- Human Physiology/ A & P II with lab (4 credit hours)
- Biology I and II with labs (8 credits)
- General Chemistry I and II (8 credits)
- General Physics I and II
- General Psychology
- English Composition I and II
- *Statistics
- **Precalculus trigonometry or higher
* Course must be offered through a science or psychology-based program, not business or math.
**Precalculus trigonometry will be waived if student can verify through syllabus and course description that content was taught in physics.
All applicants must complete each of the following prerequisites with a grade of “C” or higher. Grades of “B” or higher are strongly recommended to improve the strength of their application.
Official Test Scores
All applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within 5 years of the admission cycle year. While there is no minimum score required, the combined verbal and quantitative score of 290 or higher and analytical writing score of 3.0 or higher is recommended.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required with the application.
- A Professor who can speak to your academic ability to matriculate successfully through a graduate professional program. The other must be from a
- A licensed Physical Therapist who can speak to your professional demeanor, ability to function in a complex environment, communicate effectively, and collaborate with others.
- Letters from employers are strongly encouraged but not required.
Observation Hours
Applicants are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of observation of physical therapy services within the past two years in a minimum of 2 different settings. (outpatient, acute care, home health etc.)
Interview
Successful completion of an admission interview is required. Applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials. Applicants may be selected for additional interviews if needed. These interviews may be in person or virtual. Submission of all required application materials does not guarantee an interview.
Additional Requirements
The holistic evaluation process includes a review of both academic and nonacademic factors. No one factor guarantees admission into the program. These include leadership activities, community service, advanced education, military service and patient care experiences. Students are strongly encouraged to spend time observing physical therapists in various practice settings in order to gain an understanding of the profession. Both observation hours and employment in a clinical facility will be considered. We suggest coming to Faulkner and meeting with our admissions team and touring the College of Health Sciences. We can help you along the way if you have questions about the application process.
***Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The Faulkner University PT Program Admissions Process is a competitive process; final decisions for admission are based on the recommendations of the Admissions Committee
Please note: Accepted students will be required to complete an Anatomy and Medical Terminology Review course prior to the start of the first semester.
Graduation Requirements
In order to quality for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree, the following conditions must be met:
1. Complete all institutional requirements for graduation, including meeting all financial obligations, and completing all required courses with requisite grades.
2. Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher.
3. Successfully complete all Remediation plans and Individual Development Contracts (IDCs).
4. Earn no more than 6 credits of “C.”
5. Earn a rating of entry level or above on all components of the CPI at the completion of their clinical experiences.
6. Be recommended for graduation by the Department of Physical Therapy Faculty.
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