Program Overview
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a full-time campus and clinic based graduate program that occurs over nine continuous semesters (three academic years). A new cohort with a maximum class size of 36 DPT students enrolls each summer and graduates after the ninth semester is completed. The DPT curriculum is built on a traditional model beginning with courses in the basic sciences, fundamental clinical and professional formation skills and moving in the second year to courses focused on clinical sciences, clinical reasoning, advancing hands on clinical skills through classroom and lab experiences and supervised clinical application experiences in our student run pro bono clinic. The third and final year of the program culminates with clinical education and off campus sites and final professional formation skills courses. The DPT degree provides graduates with the credential required to apply for state licensure to practice physical therapy and to sit for the national physical therapy licensing examination (NPTE).
Program Outcomes
The Physical Therapy Program will:
-
Maintain accreditation as an educational program preparing physical therapists who embody the mission statement
-
Promote diversity in the physical therapy profession by increasing the number of physical therapists from underrepresented populations
-
Foster a community of scholar-practitioners between and among the academic faculty, clinical faculty, and students who serve the community
The Physical Therapy Program Faculty will:
-
Engage in a continual process of improvements in teaching
-
Exercise professional and social responsibility by participating in institutional, professional, and community service
-
Engage in scholarly endeavors which contribute to the body of knowledge of the profession
The Physical Therapy Program Students will graduate at the end of the Physical Therapy program and successfully achieve these outcomes.
Outcome 1
Graduates will possess entry-level competence to practice as physical therapists.
Associated Goals:
Outcome 2
Graduates will demonstrate cultural competence.
Associated Goals:
Outcome 3
Graduates will apply research evidence to practice.
Associated Goals:
Outcome 4
Graduates will uphold the Code of Ethics.
Associated Goals:
Outcome 5
Graduates will value lifelong learning.
Associated Goals:
Outcome 6
Graduates will be actively involved in professional/community service.
Associated Goals:
Admission Requirements
Admission to the DPT program at TSU is a competitive process with specific pre-requisites course requirements. In addition to pre-requisite course requirements, exposure to the field of physical therapy, an on-campus admissions interview and other activities as outlined below are required of accepted applicants. Admission occurs once annually with the cycle opening July 1 each year. A maximum of 36 students are enrolled in each class. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission and must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the calendar year the student would enter the DPT program. A specific undergraduate major is not required.
The Department of Physical Therapy participates in the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Applicants applying to the DPT program must apply online using the PTCAS application. To learn more about the PTCAS application process, students may visit the PTCAS web site at www.ptcas.org Completed applications will be reviewed and admissions will be granted to qualifying applicants.
The DPT Admissions application deadline is October 1.
Admissions requirements include:
-
An earned a baccalaureate degree.
-
Official transcripts are required from all institutions attended. Transcripts are submitted to PTCAS during the admissions process.
-
The baccalaureate degree must be posted on the final undergraduate transcript. Students may be accepted prior to the degree posting but it must be posted before matriculation into the program.
-
Completed application to the Graduate School and payment of the application fee.
-
Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 is required. A minimum 3.0 overall GPA is required to qualify for an interview.
-
Successful completion (C or better) of the following pre-requisite courses. *
-
Two (2) Biology courses with corresponding labs
-
Two (2) Chemistry courses with corresponding labs
-
Two (2) Physics courses with corresponding labs OR One (1) Physics course and a Movement Science course (i.e. Biomechanics, Kinesiology). Non-calculus Physics recommended.
-
Anatomy/Physiology - an anatomy course WITH dissection is preferred.
- One course in anatomy with Lab AND one course in physiology with Lab
or
- A two-course sequence in Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab
-
Physiology (may be general physiology or an exercise physiology course)
-
Math-at least a level of math required to take Physics I
-
Statistics/ Elementary Statistics
-
Psychology: One course in psychology - must be offered through the Psychology Department/have a PSYCH prefix in course title.
*Prerequisite Course Substitutions: The Admissions Committee may consider the substitution of similar/upper-level courses for the required pre-requisites. For information regarding substitutions/specific courses that fulfill the above prerequisites, visit the Tennessee State University homepage on PTCAS.
** Recommended courses include:
Anatomy with dissection and/or a focus on Neuro-Musculo-Skeletal systems.
Higher level physiology/biology/anatomy courses (with dissection)
Medical Terminology
A GRE score must be submitted to PTCAS using the Code 7759. There is no minimum score requirement for the GRE. A score of 150 on both the Quantitative section and the Verbal section is recommended.
-
CASPER Assessment - Applicants must sign up for specific date/time to take this assessment and it must be taken prior to submitting PTCAS Application. Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test (SJT). It asks what you would do in a tough situation, and more importantly, why. This helps determine behavioral tendencies of applicants pursuing a people centered profession
-
A minimum of 40 hours of documented observation in at least two different physical therapy clinical settings. Settings may include acute, long-term rehabilitation, out-patient, skilled nursing facility, and/or home health. Observation hours must be documented in the PTCAS application.
Students who expect to complete a bachelor’s degree in the Spring semester that precedes the semester they will begin the DPT program may be accepted pending the receipt of official transcripts including the degree earned Incomplete applications may result in your application being declared incomplete and result in non-admittance to the program.
*International Students: Applicants with international undergraduate degrees should review the information outlined in the International Student Admission page of the Tennessee State University website and consult the appropriate sections of the Graduate Catalog.
Applicants who have been recommended to the Graduate School for acceptance into the DPT program are required to pay a non-refundable $250.00 reservation fee to secure their slot in the program. The reservation fee goes toward the cost of tuition once the applicant matriculates into the program.
-
Minimum of 2 letters of recommendations-one must be from a physical therapist. Recommendations must be submitted through PTCAS.
-
Interview with the faculty (Invitations for interview are based on applicant prerequisite GPA and GRE scores).
-
Written essay that assures proficiency in the ability to write, demonstrating analytical ability, appropriate grammar, punctuation, and spelling. An essay is completed during the onsite interview-Please do not send an essay with your application.
Important Dates
Program Duration
The DPT program is a full-time campus and clinic based graduate program that occurs over nine continuous semesters (three academic years)
Degree Requirements
Clear criteria for graduation, including minimum GPA, completion of required credits, and any additional assessments.
Clinical Education Requirements
All students accepted for admission into the graduate program in Physical Therapy must meet the following requirements prior to enrollment in the clinical education components of the DPT curriculum.
Proficiency in medical terminology
Documentation that they are free from communicable disease (MMR, Varicella, Polio, Hepatitis B)
Tuberculosis screening and all required immunizations
-
Criminal Background Checks: Criminal background checks and drug screens are required for training at some affiliated all clinical sites. Based on the results of these checks/screens, an affiliated clinical site may determine to not allow your participation in training at their facility. This could result in your inability to successfully complete the requirements of this program. Additionally, a criminal background may preclude licensure or employment.
-
The following Essential Functions demonstrating the ability to perform, whether aided or unaided and/or with reasonable accommodation, are the following functions for a clinical practicum:
- Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
- Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
- Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective physical therapy care;
- Auditory abilities are sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
- Visual acuity sufficient for documentation and observation and assessment necessary in physical therapy care.
- Tactile ability is sufficient for physical assessment and treatment.
- Physical ability to assist moving, transferring and ambulating patients who have physical impairment or dysfunction.
Students who are unable to perform the essential technical functions listed above have the right to request reasonable accommodation in accordance with TSU’s disability policy as described in the Tennessee State University Student Handbook.
Accreditation Information
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Tennessee State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Patricia King, Program Director at 615-963-5932 or email pking5@tnstate.edu.
Career Opportunities
Physical therapists are licensed health professionals who focus on restoring, maintaining and preventing limitations to a person’s physical mobility and function. Physical therapists are prepared through education, clinical training, and experience to diagnose and manage a variety of conditions and symptoms that impact human movement and function. They restore, maintain, and promote optimal physical function and the health and well-being of individuals and populations across the life span; manage and prevent disease and disability, and promote wellness, fitness, and health; and decrease the risk of preventable health conditions and adverse events. Physical therapists work in a variety of settings with other members of the health care team. These settings include hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, private clinics, skilled Nursing Facilities and Assistive Living Facilities and schools
Faculty Credentials
Information on faculty qualifications, including degrees held, areas of expertise, and any relevant professional experiences.
- Ronald De Vera Barredo, Professor, Dean College of Health Sciences
- Marsha Bowman, Assistant Professor
- Derek B. Charles, Associate Professor
- Deborah A. Edmondson, Professor
- Kwaku Kankam, Assistant Professor
- Patricia M. King, Professor, Department Chair
- David A. Lehman, Professor
- Karen Smith, Assistant Professor
Program Website
Physical Therapy
Program Coordinator/Contact Information
- Patricia M. King, Chair and Professor Department of Physical Therapy; Director Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
- Office: Room 217 Health Sciences Building
- Phone: 615-963-5932
Program of Study and Credit Hours Required
A total of 114 credit hours is required in the DPT curriculum over nine consecutive semesters (three academic years)
Return to: