Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)
Department Chair & Academic Director (A.Z.): Letha B. Zook
Academic Director (N.H.): Meghan Rohde
Associate Professors (A.Z.): RuiPing Xia, Scott R. Richardson, Robert Phillips, Tamara Hefferon,
Associate Professors (N.H.): Ann W.B. Coventry, Allison Kellish,
Assistant Professors (A.Z.): David Lorello, Shaina Ettinger, Elise Harris
Assistant Professors (N.H.): Maureen Clancy, Lisa Doyle, Willow L. Henry, Olga McSorley, Theresa O'Neil, Elke
Schaumberg
One University – Two DPT Programs
Franklin Pierce University offers two full-time DPT programs with distinct formats,
both are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy.
The faculty in both programs stay clinically relevant by engaging in clinical work.
Both programs have the same mission and goals and curriculum outcomes.
Students in both D.P.T. programs are required to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university and complete all prerequisite courses and requirements prior to matriculating into the program. The Essential Functions provide specific core performance standards that every student must be able to meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, for admission and progression in the D.P.T. program.
The New Hampshire DPT program is an on-site program which is 30 months in length in Manchester, New Hampshire. It has 38 weeks of clinical experience in 10 graduate terms. An early full-time experience of 8 weeks is done during the fifth term.
The Arizona DPT program uses the hybrid mode of delivery and is 25.5 months in length. The curriculum is a blend of online learning (synchronous and asynchronous) and intensive 4–5-day lab sessions, held in Goodyear, Arizona. In addition to the 30 weeks of full-time clinical experiences at the end of the didactic portion, the student participates in early hands-on experiences in the FPU clinic during the intensive lab weeks.
The Physical Therapy Profession
Physical Therapists (PTs) are licensed health care professionals who diagnose and
treat individuals of all ages, who have health-related conditions that limit their
abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical
therapists:
• Diagnose and manage movement dysfunction and enhance physical and functional abilities;
• Restore, maintain, and promote optimal physical function, wellness, fitness, and
quality of life as it relates to movement and health;
• Prevent the onset, symptoms, and progression of impairments, functional limitations,
and disabilities that may result from diseases, disorders, conditions, or injuries.
Physical therapists provide care for people in a variety of settings, including: hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes (apta.org). Franklin Pierce University offers Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) programs in Manchester, New Hampshire and in Goodyear, Arizona. Both facilities are newly renovated with state-of-the-art equipment and learning technologies. Clinical experience is a vital part of the program and is conducted at sites throughout the country.
Mission
The Mission of the D.P.T. program is to graduate competent practitioners who are prepared
to enhance the physical health and functional abilities of the members of the public.
Our graduates render independent judgment in collaboration with others to advocate
for and meet the needs of the patient/client and to ensure equal access for all individuals.
They critically analyze, appropriately utilize, and contribute to evidence-based practice.
Our graduates embrace life-long learning and consciously apply ethical values. They
contribute to society and the profession in practice, teaching, administration, community
service, and the discovery and application of new knowledge related to physical therapy.
Expected Graduate Goals and Outcomes
Graduates of the D.P.T. program will:
1. Have the knowledge and skills of a PT capable of working as an autonomous practitioner
• Achieve 100% ultimate pass rate on the NPTE
• Employed as autonomous practitioners in a variety of practice settings
• Integrate current research, clinical expertise, and patient values into practice
2. Demonstrate empathetic and compassionate practice
• Adhere to the APTA Code of Ethics
• Respect and treat each patient as an individual, without regard to gender, race,
color, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation
3. Demonstrate commitment to the physical therapy profession
• Promote the profession through education
• Possess skills to advocate for the profession
Franklin Pierce University’s D.P.T. Educational Philosophy
• The curriculum and teaching are guided by the following values:
• The inherent worth of the individual and the value of diversity;
• The autonomous practice of the profession;
• The inherent value of inter-professional collaboration and consultation;
• That community service is a powerful mechanism for teaching and learning;
• That life-long learning is critical for all physical therapy practitioners;
• That ethical thinking, behavior and social responsibility are central to physical
therapist education;
• That the development of critical thinking and the application of evidence-based
practice are core skills for all graduates;
• That graduates contribute to society through work, teaching, community involvement,
and the application of new knowledge.
Faculty, graduates, and employers continue to contribute to the development of the D.P.T. curriculum preparing our students and graduates to have the skills to practice in a changing society and health care delivery system.
Special consideration for entrance into the FPU D.P.T. program is offered for FPU
undergraduates in three pathways: (See more information under D.P.T. Direct Admit)
1. Freshman D.P.T. Direct Admit: High School Seniors who meet specific requirements
(see below) are guaranteed entrance into the FPU D.P.T. program upon satisfactory
completion (see below) of the requirements for entrance into the D.P.T. program.
2. Current FPU Student D.P.T. Direct Admit: Current students who meet the established
levels of academic success in the undergraduate courses (see below)can apply for D.P.T.
Direct Admit in their first three years of undergraduate work. These students will
have guaranteed entrance into the FPU D.P.T. program upon satisfactory completion
(see below) of the requirements for entrance into the D.P.T. program.
3. Preferential FPU Application review for current student into the FPU D.P.T. program:
Students who are current students at FPU and are not in the D.P.T. Direct Admit program
will have preferential application review than transfer students if they meet the
following criteria:
• Completed application in PTCAS before October the year before expected entrance
into the D.P.T. program
• Recommendation from FPU advisor
Application Process
The application and admissions process is the same for both Manchester, N.H. and Goodyear,
A.Z. D.P.T. programs. Students must apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized
Application Service (PTCAS) online at ptcas.org. The PTCAS application cycle opens
midsummer for the following academic year. We evaluate applications throughout the
admissions cycle with a soft deadline in the beginning of March and consider qualified
applicants until the class is filled.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Promotion Policy
In addition to the University’s Graduate Academic Standing Policy, as listed in the
current Catalog, the Doctor of Physical Therapy program implements the following Promotion
Policy that is more stringent.
Good Academic Standing
The course sequence in the curriculum is designed to provide incremental knowledge
and skills necessary for PT practice. In general, the sequence must be followed to
achieve this goal. A student in good academic standing will progress through the curriculum
as designed. Since courses are arranged in a specific sequence, repeating a course
will result in deceleration of the student’s progress through the curriculum, and
require a longer period of time to successfully complete the entire curriculum. Good
academic standing is obtained by achieving a term grade point average (GPA) of 3.00
or greater, maintaining a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.00 or greater, passing all Pass/Fail
courses, earning course grades of B- or greater and maintaining appropriate standards
of professional behavior.
Doctoral Academic Sanctions
Academic Probation
• Any student whose term GPA is below 3.00 for a single term, or
• Any student whose CGPA is below 3.00 for a single term, or
• Any student who receives a final course grade of C or below in any course, or
• Any student who receives a Fail grade in a Pass/Fail course
Additionally, any student who receives a final course grade of C or below in any course will be required to repeat the course with a B or better.
Academic Suspension
An Academic suspension requires a student to step out of the lock-step curriculum
to repeat a course when:
• A student receives a final course grade of C or below in any course or
• A student receives a Fail grade in a P/F course
• The student must repeat the course earning a B or better grade and may not progress
until this course is successfully completed
• The student must complete a Learning Contract and may be encouraged to audit other
courses they have already completed in order to engage and remain up-to-date with
the other didactic coursework.
Program Dismissal
• Any student whose term GPA is below 3.00 for two terms, or
• Any students whose CGPA is below 3.00 for two terms, or
• Any student who receives a final course grade of C or below in two courses, or
• Any student who receives a Fail grade in any two Pass/Fail courses, or
• Any student who receives a final course grade of C or below in one course and a
Fail grade in any Pass/Fail course, or
• Any student who fails to earn a Pass or a final course grade of B or better in any
repeated course. or
• Any student who fails to adhere to the professional standards of the program.
Academic Status Letter
At the completion of each term, if academic performance is consistent with the criteria
set forth for academic probation, suspension or program dismissal, the Dean will issue
a letter notifying the student of their academic status.
Learning Contract
A student who is placed on academic probation, academic suspension or program dismissal
will be required to proceed under a Learning Contract. The Learning Contract will
identify the academic criteria necessary to return to academic good standing.
Promotion
• Students must satisfactorily complete all courses maintaining a 3.00 term GPA and
CGPA and must have successfully completed a learning contract before proceeding to
the full-time clinical experiences.
• Students must pass the comprehensive practical examination in the last didactic
term in order to participate in the full-time terminal clinical experiences.
• Students must pass all full-time clinical education experiences in order to graduate.
Only one repeat of a full-time clinical experience is allowed.
Appeals
A student has the right to appeal a faculty decision regarding progression in the
program. If a student wishes to appeal, the student must contact his/her advisor immediately
upon receiving formal notice of unsatisfactory performance and file the appeal within
3 days of receipt of the Academic Sanction Letter. The advisor will assist the student
in developing an appeal describing the unusual circumstances leading to the unsatisfactory
performance and actions the student has undertaken/ or plans to undertake to strengthen
their academic performance.
Curriculum Plan-New Hampshire
Term I
PTH506 Introduction to Professional Development& Patient Education 2 credits
PTH523 Anatomy 6 credits
PTH528 Kinesiology 6 credits
PTH531 Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice I 2 credits
Term I = 16 credits
Term II
PTH504 Physiology in Health and Disease 3 credits
PTH518 Research Methods in Physical Therapy 2 credits
PTH532 Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice II 2 credits
PTH537 Musculoskeletal System I – Upper Extremity 4 credits
PTH545 Therapeutic Exercise & Soft Tissue Mobilization 3 credits
PTH547 Physical Agent Modalities 2 credits
Term II = 16 credits
Term III
PTH508 Neuroanatomy 3 credits
PTH517 PYI Integrated Clinical Education Experience 1 credit
PTH519 Critical Inquiry 1 credit
PTH524 Clinical Pharmacology 2 credits
PTH529 Health Promotion & Wellness I 2 credits
PTH538 Musculoskeletal System II – Lower Extremity 4 credits
PTH620 Imaging & Diagnostics 2 credits
Term III = 15 credits
Term IV
PTH512 Motor Control Across the Lifespan 4 credits
PTH530 Health Promotion & Wellness II 1 credit
PTH534 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy 3 credits
PTH539 Musculoskeletal System III – Spine 5 credits
PTH540 Fundamentals of Neurological Rehabilitation 3 credits
Term IV = 16 credits
Term V
PTH516 Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare 3 credits
PTH608 Clinical Education Experience I 4 credits
PTH635 Advanced Orthopedic Interventions 2 credits -*elective
Term V = 7 credits + electives
*two - 2 credit electives must be taken during the didactic curriculum (Terms V, VI
and/or VII)
Term VI
PTH514 Health Practice Management 3 credits
PTH543 Neurological Clinical Management 5 credits
PTH544 Integumentary System 2 credits
PTH599 Independent Study 1- 2 credits *elective
PTH615 D.P.T. Student Clinic 2 credits *elective
PTH623 Management of Patients with Multisystem Involvement I 3 credits
PTH627 PYII Integrated Clinical Education Experience – Extended 2 credits -*elective
PTH720 Capstone Research Project I 2 credits
LS565 Spanish for Healthcare Professional 2 credits -*elective
Term VI = 15 credits+ electives
*two - 2 credit electives must be taken during the didactic curriculum (Terms V, VI
and/or VII)
Term VII
PTH511 Management of the Pediatric & Adolescent Patient 5 credits
PTH610 Professional Seminar 1 credit
PTH615 D.P.T. Student Clinic 2 credits - *elective
PTH624 Management of Patients with Multisystem Involvement II 4 credits
PTH627 PYII Integrated Clinical Education Experience – Extended 2 credits -*elective
PTH630 Sports Injury Management & Prevention 2 credits -*elective
PTH646 Orthotics and Prosthetics 2 credits
PTH730 Capstone Research Project II 2 credits
Term VII = 14 credits (includes 2 credits required elective) + electives
*two - 2 credit electives must be taken during the didactic curriculum (Terms V, VI
and/or VII)
Term VIII
PTH701 Clinical Education Experience II 5 credits
Term VIII = 5 credits
Term IX
PTH702 Clinical Education Experience III 5 credits
Term IX = 5 credits
Term X
PTH703 Clinical Education Experience IV 5 credits
Term X = 5 credits
Total credits = 118 (includes 4 credits required electives) plus other electives as
desired. Students are required to take at least four credits of elective courses in
order to graduate with the necessary 118 credits or more.
Curriculum Plan-Arizona
Professional Year 1 – Class of 2024
Term 1: Fall 2022
PTH504 Physiology of Health and Disease 3 credits
PTH506 Introduction to Professional Development & Patient Education 1 credits
PTH523 Anatomy 5 credits
PTH528 Kinesiology 5 credits
PTH531 Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice I 2 credits
Term 1 = 16 credits
Term 2: Winter 2022-23
PTH517b Integrated Clinical Education Experience - Year 1 1 credit
PTH532 Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice II 2 credits
PTH537 Musculoskeletal System I – Upper Extremity 4 credits
PTH544 Integumentary System 2 credits
PTH545 Therapeutic Exercise & Soft Tissue Mobilization 3 credits
PTH546 Physical Agents 1 credit
PTH550 EBP- Research I* 3 credits
Term 2 = 15 credits
Term 3: Spring 2023
PTH508 Neuroanatomy 4 credits
PTH517a Integrated Clinical Education Experience - Year 1 1 credit
PTH524 Clinical Pharmacology 3 credits
PTH529 Health Promotion & Wellness I 2 credits
PTH534 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy 3 credits
PTH538 Musculoskeletal System II – Lower Extremity 4 credits
Term 3 = 15 credits
Term 4: Summer 2023
PTH512 Motor Control acr Life Span 4 credits
PTH516 Psychosocial Issues in HC* 3 credits
PTH517b Integrated Clinical Education Experience- Year 1 1 credit
PTH539 Musculoskeletal System III – Spine 4 credits
PTH560 EBP- Research II* 2 credits
PTH620 Imaging & Diagnostics* 2 credits
Term 4 = 16 credits
Professional Year 2 – Class of 2024
Term 5: Fall 2023
PTH514 Health Care Management* 3 credits
PTH527a Integrated Clinical Education Experience - Year 1 1 credit
PTH543 Neurological Clinical Management 6 credits
PTH623 Management of Patients w/ Multisystem Involvement I 3 credits
PTH646 Orthotics and Prosthetics 2 credits
PTH650 EBP- Research II* 2 credits
Term 5 = 16 credits
Term 6: Winter 2023-24
PTH511 Management of the Pediatric & Adolescent Patient 4 credits
PTH527b Integrated Clinical Education Experience - Year 2 1 credit
PTH610 Professional Seminar I 1 credit
PTH624 Management of Patients with Multisystem Involvement II 4 credit
PTH635 Advanced Orthopedic Interventions 4 credits
PTH690 Comprehensive Exam P/F 1 credit
Term 6 = 15 credits
Term 7 and 8: March to October 2024
PTH695 License Exam Prep* 1 credit
PTH701 Clinical Education Experience II 5 credits
PTH702 Clinical Education Experience III 5 credits
PTH703 Clinical Education Experience IV 5 credits
Term 7 & 8 = 16 credits
*online courses
Total credits: 110 semester credits (2 years + 6 weeks). The sequence of courses offered within the curriculum may be subject to change. Total Contact hours (online and Lab) = 2655