Physical Therapy, DPT

Department of Health Sciences

Health Sciences 101
(216) 687-3567
John Bazyk, Chair
Ann Reinthal, DPT Program Director
http://www.csuohio.edu/sciences/dept/healthsciences/graduate/PT/

Introduction

The emphasis of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is to prepare competent entry-level practitioners who are well prepared to meet the demands of the current health care arena. The DPT degree replaces the current Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree and will expand the breadth and depth of the MPT program by emphasizing advanced skills in medical screening, differential diagnosis, critical thinking and clinical reasoning, and will arm students with an evidence base that validates clinical decisions to support the level of independent practice expected in a direct access environment. The DPT, a clinical doctorate, is differentiated from a Ph.D. by its emphasis on clinical skills and practice issues, not research. However, it is expected that the DPT graduate will be prepared to be a critical consumer of the scientific literature, support clinical research and use research data to design and manage the processes of care. The DPT program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Faculty Research

Cleveland State University faculty have research specialization in biomechanics, culture and health, epidemiology, exercise physiology, motor learning and control, neurologic disorders, and orthopedics. A state-of-the-art Motion Analysis Laboratory is available for research. Students in the program have an opportunity to work on research with faculty mentors.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Admission Information

Admission to the program is selective and limited. Admissions are conducted yearly with complete application files being due by April 1 for early admission and by July 1 for regular admission (earlier dates required for international students). In addition to meeting College of Graduate Studies requirements for admission, applicants to the program must:

• Submit a complete Application for Graduate Admissions with the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program supplemental application, OR, if an international student, submit a graduate application to the Center for International Services and Programs with the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program supplemental application, including official transcripts.
• Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and have scores submitted to the Graduate College, with scores of at least 400 verbal and 500 quantitative.
• Demonstrate language proficiency for non-native English speaking applicants. The TOEFL or Michigan test is required. Applicants must have a TOEFL score of 550 or a Michigan test score of 85 to be eligible.
• Attain the minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in any subject area.
• Attain a minimum grade point average overall of 3.00
• Complete all prerequisite coursework listed below. Attain a minimum prerequisite course grade point average of 3.00. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of ‘C’ or better. Contact PTAdvising@csuohio.edu if you have questions about whether a specific course meets the prerequisite requirement.
  
  1. Physics: two course sequence with laboratories (PHY 221 + PHY 222 or PHY 241 + PHY 242)
  2. Chemistry: two-course sequence with laboratories (CHM 251/CHM 256 + CHM 252/CHM 257)
  3. Cell or general Biology with laboratory (BIO 200/BIO 201); must include cell/molecular biology component
  4. Vertebrate, Human or Mammalian Physiology [junior or senior level] (BIO 422/BIO 423 or HSC 422)
  5. Psychology: one course
  6. Social/behavioral sciences: 2 courses
  7. Statistics/research design: one upper level course [junior or senior level] (PSY 311)
  8. Medical Terminology [not calculated in prerequisite grade point average] (HSC 203)
  9. Human Gross Anatomy with cadaver laboratory (HSC 457/HSC 475)
  10. Neuroscience with laboratory (HSC 476/HSC 478)
  11. General Pathology (HSC 381)

Apply Now: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html

Program of Study

The curriculum for the Doctor of Physical Therapy consists of 112 semester credits over three years and nine semesters, including:

1. Eighty academic credits in core areas
2. Twenty-six credits of clinical experience
3. Six credits of elective course work