Department Information and Typical Discipline-Specific Academic Degree & Qualifications1 of faculty within Physical Therapy
The Department has only one program; a three-year, 113-credit post-graduate course of study leading to a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). In contrast to a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) program that emphasizes research, the DPT is a clinical doctorate, similar to an MD (Medical Doctor) or a JD (Juris Doctor).
Advanced standing in the program may be granted on a case-by-case basis given to health care practitioners who already hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in physical therapy or a closely related field.
Degrees offered
The Physical Therapy Department offers these programs:
- DPT - Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Terminal Degree 2 for each discipline taught in Physical Therapy
DPT, Ph.D. in Physical Therapy/Therapist (51.2308)
Related Disciplines 3
- Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences (26.0999) - all courses
- Kinesiology and Exercise Science (31.0505) - all courses
Related Disciplines for specific courses 3
None Applicable
Other Teaching Qualifications (Description of Required Academic Degree and Justifications 4 for the programs in Physical Therapy)
Consideration of other teaching qualifications in lieu of academic credentials is made on a case-by-case basis and accepted in special cases where evidence of exceptional industry experience, research or other qualifications can be documented and are directly applicable to the course being taught.
Notes
1Whenever instructors are not credentialed by their advanced degree or by an approved CIP relationship, they must be credentialed through a narrative justification of the instructor's qualifications to teach this/these course(s). Such credentialing is based on the proposed instructor's academic and professional preparation; diplomas, certificates, or relevant licensures; publications and presentations in the field; honors, awards, and professional recognitions; and other demonstrated competencies, skills, and experiences which the instructor brings to the University. These must be clearly tied to the specific courses to be taught and should establish beyond doubt that the instructor is qualified to teach the specific courses they are to be assigned.
The Office of the Provost reviews all such justifications and where the justifications warrant the instructor's teaching the courses proposed, it will either approve the justification for the appropriate period (seven years for full-time faculty members, or four years for part-time faculty members) or employ one of two additional clearance categories beyond the advanced degree and related-discipline categories which it may use to credential some instructors where their accomplishments warrant this:
Active Research Clearance in the Discipline or Active Artistic/Special Talent Clearance in the Discipline
2The level and discipline of the terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., MS, MFA, doctorate) that is required to teach graduate courses in the discipline
3For each discipline, all strongly-related degree(s) and/or equivalent names for the discipline (include level) that would also be appropriate for teaching at the graduate level
4(1)The appropriate academic degrees and justifications for each related degree above if not obvious; (2) the justification for why the terminal degree is not a doctorate in a discipline, e.g., specific examples of best practice in the discipline and accrediting association language; and (3) any other criteria used to determine appropriate academic qualifications to teach specialty courses in the program.
Current/Effective Date 11/15/2024