PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: PT

Can you just tell us a little bit about the program, a little bit of an overview for our listeners, and what's the framework of the degree?

Yeah, so our PT program is a full-time three-year doctoral program.

It is based on our Hillsborough campus.

The program is fully accredited.

It begins each fall semester and it incorporates an evidence-based curriculum in our classroom and lab spaces on the Hillsborough campus.

It is fully in-person.

And it also includes 39 weeks of clinical education placements that are integrated throughout the program with the first clinical placement happening at the end of the first year.

Great.

So with over five decades of history, can you tell us a little bit about what the students can expect in the classroom?

Yes, so our students are learning from full-time and adjunct faculty with a wide range of clinical specializations and board certifications.

I think this is another thing that really differentiates our program.

Our clinical specializations and certifications range from orthopedics, manual therapy, sports, neurology, pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, Cardiovascular Pulmonary, Hand Rehabilitation, and Lymphedema Management.

Another fun fact is that dry needling was recently added to the scope of practice in the state of Oregon for PTs.

And we actually have a faculty who is certified within dry needling who is starting to integrate that into the curriculum.

Students just aren't able to apply that in a clinical setting in the state of Oregon until that is fully adopted into practice.

the scope of practice, but because it will be oncoming, it is something that they are starting to touch upon within the curriculum.

So our curriculum is consistently evolving and we are really lucky to have the faculty that we have to teach our students.

Our faculty aren't just educators, they are mentors and active leaders within the National American Physical Therapy Association, as well as state chapters.

And they are also involved professionally in their different areas of specialization within the physical therapy profession.

Additionally, all of our faculty have office hours and really put students at the forefront of the work that they do on campus.

All of our students have a faculty advisor that they are assigned to at orientation, and then our students also are assigned to a clinical faculty advisor that they will meet with to help shape their clinical education as they progress through the program.

Additionally, our students have access to peer tutoring services to support their academic success.

And those services are free for all students and are really utilized because that transition from undergrad to grad school is a big jump.

And so having that support from a student who has already been through the course is really helpful in addition to talking with faculty and studying with your classmates.