Physical Therapy (DPT)
The DPT curriculum at Plymouth State University features hands on clinical practice experiences early and often. Students are involved in practice experiences starting with their first fall semester and throughout the entire curriculum either on campus though the Integrated Clinical Education courses or off campus in full time Clinical Education experiences. In addition to this highly practice oriented feature, the curriculum includes a theoretical depth and breadth commensurate with the broad Vision set by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for the profession: “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”
The DPT graduate of Plymouth State University will be positioned to enter the field ready to practice and engage in lifelong learning, leadership, innovation and transformation. The curriculum’s required 117 graduate credits are a well balanced mix of foundational and clinical theory course work and clinical practice course work and experiences. Faculty and students work together to foster a supportive learning environment.
Additional Program Information
Compliance with Accreditation
Plymouth State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, which accredits schools and colleges in the six New England states.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Plymouth State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
phone: 800-999-2782
email: accreditation@apta.org
If you need to contact the program/institution directly please call 603-535-2890 or email ajmarinoboynton@plymouth.edu.
Filing a Complaint with CAPTE
Any person may file a complaint with CAPTE if that person believes that the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at PSU is failing to fulfill its commitment to CAPTE standards. To file such a complaint, follow this link http://www.capteonline.org/Complaints/.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to provide a vibrant scholarly community for physical therapy in New Hampshire through teaching, service, scholarship, and practice contributing to the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision of “transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” The Program's focus is on the education of physical therapists who will serve the community in the fields of movement and rehabilitation and provide competent care as autonomous providers, leaders, collaborative team members, and innovators while being respectful, culturally sensitive and socially responsible.
Educational Philosophy
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program adopts a philosophy that compliments the vision and mission of PSU and is based on academic excellence, learner-centered teaching, experiential learning, applied research, regional service, and leadership. The Program embraces the complementary relationship between liberal arts and professional studies, between academic and professional development, between service and individual growth, and between the University campus and the larger community.
Expected Costs
Please see tuition and fees section for annual cost.
Additional costs to consider:
- APTA Student Membership ($95 annually)
- Initial 7-year Comprehensive Background Check ($122)
- Initial 10-Panel drug screen ($29)
- Books (Varies) - book costs in the program are minimal as the program pays for a subscription to the "Access Physiotherapy" electronic book resource that all students have unlimited access to
- Simucase/Physical Therapy.com subscription ($99 annually)
- PhysioU 3-year subscription ($219)
- Laptop requirement (varies)
- Annual Physical Exam and Immunizations (varies)
- Health Insurance (varies)
- Room & Board (varies - students may need to relocate during full time clinical education experiences for 10 - 14 weeks)
- Travel to/from clinical sites (varies)
Graduation from the DPT Program
Graduation from the DPT program requires successful completion of the full course of study (See Curriculum) within 6 calendar years.
DPT Specific Policies
Note: General academic policies of Plymouth State University apply to physical therapy students and can be found here: https://coursecatalog.plymouth.edu/university-policies-procedures/. The Department of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy program Policies for Academic Standing, Retention, Progression and Dismissal are more comprehensive than the Graduate Studies policies due to the particular requirements and expectations of the program.
Graduate students at Plymouth State University are severed from the University if they have attempted 15 or more graduate credits at PSU and their cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0.* Students who have been severed automatically lose their matriculated status unless they file an appeal. Students who have been severed may be granted an opportunity through either reinstatement or readmission to demonstrate their ability and intention to succeed academically and to earn a degree from Plymouth State University. https://coursecatalog.plymouth.edu/university-policies-procedures/graduate-academic-policies/
Academic Standing
A DPT student is not in good academic standing if any of the following conditions is present:
- The student has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) below 3.0
- The student has one or more incomplete grades (IC)
- The student has more than 10 credits below a grade of B
- The student has a failing grade in any DPT course
- The student has a written complaint for a violation of Professional Conduct
- The student is not considered ready for clinical education
Students are notified through an email to their PSU account from the Program Director if they are not in good academic standing. Due to the integrated and sequential nature of the DPT program students cannot progress in the program or graduate from the program unless they are in good academic standing.
Students that are not in good academic standing must meet with their advisor and develop a corrective plan within 10 university business days of not being in good academic standing. The corrective plan is subject to approval by the faculty at its next scheduled faculty meeting. If the faculty do not approve the corrective plan then the student is dismissed from the program with the right to appeal (see below). Faculty consider the feasibility, adherence to curriculum policies such as the sequential nature of course requirements and pre-requisites as well as the student’s history in the program. Students may only submit one corrective plan while in the DPT program, therefore, if a student is not in good academic standing a second time they are immediately dismissed with the right to appeal (see below).
If the student does not follow their corrective plan within the designated time frame, they will be dismissed from the program with the right to appeal (see below).
Due to the integrated and sequenced DPT curriculum it is typical for a corrective plan to involve a delay in graduation due to the need to repeat courses that are not offered again until the next academic year.
Right to Appeal Dismissal
If the student wishes to appeal a dismissal, they should do so by submitting an appeal letter to the Program Director of the DPT Program that includes an explanation for why they believe they can return and be successful in the DPT program. This explanation should include suspected reasons for their prior problems and corrective strategies that would be utilized if the appeal is granted. This appeal will be brought to the Faculty for consideration. If accepted terms will be provided. If a student returns to the program following dismissal they will no longer have the right to appeal on a second dismissal.
If an appeal is not accepted by the DPT program a written explanation will be provided.
If an appeal is not accepted by the DPT program, or if the student does not have the right to an appeal (second dismissal) the student may appeal through a Student Request form to the associate provost for academic affairs on matters related to affordance of due process and whether the student received fair consideration during the process.
After a final dismissal, should the student want to continue, they must reapply and be accepted into the program.
Please note that academic standing may impact financial aid status and eligibility for veteran's education benefits.
Continual Enrollment
DPT students must continue to make progress toward earning their degree. Students who do not take all required courses during each semester in the program will be considered inactive and informed of this status in writing. Once notified of their inactive status, students must request reactivation in writing within 10 business days. Inactive students are automatically delayed one year since the courses they require will not be offered again until the next year. The student’s program of study must still be completed within the original six-year program period.
An inactive student must meet with their advisor to develop a corrective plan that is to be submitted for approval by the full faculty at its next scheduled faculty meeting. If the faculty do not approve the corrective plan then the student is dismissed from the program with the right to appeal. The purpose of this corrective plan is to assure that the student will be engaged in activities during the year that will increase the retention of previously learned DPT course work. Returning from inactive status may require passing an examination that provides evidence that the student has retained the knowledge of all pre-requisite coursework for courses they will be taking in the semester they return.
If the student doesn't return to the program after one year of inactivity, the student will be automatically withdrawn from the graduate program and will receive written notification of the withdrawal. At that time, the student’s enrollment documents will be destroyed, unless the student immediately submits a written request for continuation. If, at a later date, the student decides to re-enroll in the graduate program, a new application must be submitted through the Physical Therapy Centralized Application System.
Students who choose to withdraw from the program must follow the university’s withdrawal policy as stated in the University Policies and Procedures section of the catalog.
Incompletes and Extensions
An instructor may decide to enter a grade of incomplete (IC) on a student’s record if unusual circumstances prevent completion of the course on time, and a minimal portion of the total class work needs to be completed. The course must be completed by the date specified by the instructor which must be set prior to the start of the next semester since all DPT courses are sequenced and dependent on all previous coursework being completed. If the course is not completed by this date, the grade specified by the instructor will be recorded. If no grade is specified, a default grade of F will be recorded. The instructor is responsible for documenting and notifying the student of the work to be completed and the deadline. A student may not graduate with an incomplete on their transcript.
Pass/No Pass Courses
Some courses in the DPT curriculum are designated as Pass/No Pass. Credits earned by passing these courses are added to the total credits earned (graded and transfer courses as well as credit-by- exam). Pass/No Pass credits are also included in credits attempted. Credits earned in Pass/No Pass courses do not affect grade point average. These courses are particularly important in the DPT program since a No Pass grade in one single Pass/No Pass course means the student is not in good academic standing.
First Day Drop/Non-Participation
DPT Students who do not appear for the DPT Orientation and do not notify the Program Director before that meeting that they will be absent may be dropped from the program by the Program Director and their place may be given to another student.
Professional Conduct
As DPT students and representatives of the PSU DPT program, students are expected to adhere to the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide for Professional Conduct.
The essence of Professional Conduct for the physical therapist comes from the fact that it is a profession that provides a service. As such the emphasis is on the rights of person(s) for whom the service is being provided. Professional Conduct recognizes that all steps should be taken to facilitate interaction with the patient / client in a manner that does not detract the patient / client’s attention, focus or purpose from that which is intended by the relationship developed with them as their physical therapist. Therefore, it is not appropriate to claim that your rights are violated by forcing you to adhere to conduct that does not suit your personal preferences or approach. As a professional it is not about your rights, it is about your responsibilities to the patient / client’s rights.
Professional Conduct is required with interactions with all individuals in which the relationship is established, or currently in effect, due to your role as a student of the PSU DPT program. This mandates that a certain approach and discretion be taken in all interactions. It does not mandate an adherence to the status quo for the sake of authority, but it does mandate an appropriate response and approach to challenging the status quo, or questioning authority.
Students must recognize that Social Media is an extension and amplification of face to face communication and therefore is subject to consideration based on the Guide for Professional Conduct. Social Media is not to be considered a personal communication, but rather a public, social declaration that is often not commensurate with communication that adheres to Professional Conduct due to the scope and nature of its audience. While on Clinical Rotations it is only appropriate to share experiences on Social Media with the explicit permission of your Clinical Instructor; during classes, labs or Integrated Clinical Experiences with the explicit permission of the Instructor; during DPT program Social Events with the explicit permission of all of those involved with the post (comments, pictures, etc).
Students must familiarize themselves with this guide (linked below) and bring questions regarding particular situations to their advisor, Faculty, Director of Clinical Education or the Program Director.
Violations of Professional Conduct
If a student is found to violate an aspect of Professional Conduct, or reasonable professional expectations that form the core or extend from the intent of this Guide for Professional Conduct (See Reasonable Professional Expectations), it is the obligation of the Faculty to make the student aware, and to offer guidance to help the student recognize how they have deviated from expected Professional Conduct. If the student continues to demonstrate an inability to adhere to the Guide for Professional Conduct a written behavioral remediation plan will be developed on a case by case basis with the student, observing / reporting Faculty, student advisor and Director of Clinical Education.
Continued failure to comply with the terms of the written behavioral remediation plan will result in a written complaint for a violation of Professional Conduct and will therefore result in the student not being in good academic standing (see Academic Standing).
Curriculum Requirements
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| PTH 6110 | Clinical & Functional Anatomy | 4 |
| PTH 6111 | Clinical Physiology | 3 |
| PTH 6112 | Ethics and Value Systems | 2 |
| PTH 6115 | Patient/Client Management I | 2 |
| PTH 6116 | Integrated Clinical I | 1 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Fall | ||
| PTH 6120 | Neuroscience | 4 |
| PTH 6121 | Musculoskeletal Conditions & Management | 3 |
| PTH 6122 | Dynamic Systems I: Movement & Adaptation | 3 |
| PTH 6124 | Clinical Inquiry I: Causality and Inference | 3 |
| PTH 6125 | Patient/Client Management II | 4 |
| PTH 6127 | Integrated Clinical II | 1 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| PTH 6130 | Pathophysiology & Pharmacology I | 3 |
| PTH 6131 | Exercise Prescription & Nutrition | 3 |
| PTH 6132 | Movement Systems | 4 |
| PTH 6133 | Dynamic Systems II: Movement & Adaptation | 3 |
| PTH 6135 | Patient/Client Management III | 4 |
| PTH 6137 | Integrated Clinical III | 1 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Summer | ||
| PTH 8210 | Pathophysiology & Pharmacology II | 3 |
| PTH 8215 | Patient/Client Management IV | 5 |
| PTH 8217 | Integrated Clinical IV | 2 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Fall | ||
| PTH 8226 | Clinical Education I | 8 |
| PTH 8227 | Clinical Reflection I | 1 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PTH 8232 | Psychosocial Systems | 3 |
| PTH 8235 | Patient/Client Management V | 6 |
| PTH 8224 | Clinical Inquiry II: Study Design | 3 |
| PTH 8237 | Integrated Clinical V | 2 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Summer | ||
| PTH 8316 | Clinical Education II | 8 |
| PTH 8317 | Clinical Reflection II | 1 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Fall | ||
| PTH 8322 | Health Systems | 6 |
| PTH 8324 | Capstone I | 3 |
| PTH 8234 | Clinical Inquiry III: Models, Reviews & Guidelines | 3 |
| PTH 8327 | Integrated Clinical VI | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PTH 8336 | Clinical Education III | 10 |
| PTH 8337 | Clinical Reflection III | 1 |
| PTH 8334 | Capstone II | 1 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 117 | |
Outcome 1: Graduates of the PSU DPT Program will be competent, autonomous and collaborative Doctors of Physical Therapy that are prepared to provide evidence guided, knowledge based physical therapy practice to positively impact people’s lives and transform society as agents of change in their communities.
Outcome 2: Graduates of the PSU DPT Program will be prepared as health team leaders and advocates for innovation in the profession while being respectful, culturally sensitive and socially responsible.
When students successfully complete this course of study, it is the expectation of the physical therapy program they are ready for entry-level practice as physical therapists in any practice setting and that they will be eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), necessary to be considered for Licensure as a Physical Therapist in any state. (Practicing physical therapy requires licensure. Licensure requires passing the licensure examination. Taking the licensure exam requires graduation from an accredited DPT program.)