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    Feb 07, 2025  
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide 
    
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

Physical Therapy, DPT

Location(s): Health Science Campus


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The Division of Physical Therapy offers a Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program. The DPT degree is a 3 year, 9 term curriculum totaling 115 credits. All students in the DPT degree program are full time and there is no option for part time study. Students must progress through the curriculum on a full time basis. The program has a June start date and students complete the degree in May. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the FSBPT licensing examination. (The DPT is currently a Candidate for Accreditation with CAPTE).

Admission Requirements


Applications for admission are received through the PTCAS system. Consideration of most applicants will be completed before the final official transcripts are available. Successful applicants will be offered regular admission contingent on meeting all prerequisites listed below. All admissions requirements must be met before a student will be permitted to register for fall semester courses. The Division of Physical Therapy does not consider or accept transfer credits to be applied to the DPT degree. 

The Division of Physical Therapy recognizes that applicants can demonstrate their potential for success in more ways than just traditional measures of academic success; therefore, we employ a holistic review process. The Division’s admission process is designed to identify students who align with our mission, vision and values. The Binghamton University DPT program believes that the interview process will provide an avenue to gain that insight and applicants who have met the prerequisite requirements will be invited for an interview.

Admission Prerequisites


Although each applicant is considered on an individual basis, the general admission criteria are: 

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • A GPA of 3.0 or better in prerequisite courses (see below)
  • Satisfactory completion of the following prerequisite coursework:
    • Anatomy + Lab and Physiology + Lab OR Anatomy and Physiology I and II + Lab (4 credits each; 8 credits total)
    • General Biology I and II + Lab (4 credits each; 8 credits total)
    • General Chemistry I and II + Lab (4 credits each; 8 credits total)
    • Physics I and II + Lab (4 credits each; 8 credits total)
    • Psychology (3 credits)
    • Statistics (3 credits)
    • Additional courses/electives (2 courses total) in psychology and/or social/behavioral sciences (3 credits each; 6 credits total)
    • English Composition, Writing, Communication or Speech Communication (3 credits)
  • For International Students:
    • Proof of English proficiency, (such as official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores)
    • International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
    • Supporting financial documentation, such as official bank statements or official scholarship or sponsorship letters, are required

Program Requirements


Curriculum Program


The following three-year curricular plan shows the required sequence of courses to complete the DPT. Total credit hours required for degree completion is 115.

Year 1


Spring Semester (18 credits total)

  • PT 620 - Cardiopulmonary II - Clinical Management of Cardiopulmonary Conditions Credit: 4
  • PT 621 - Musculoskeletal (MSK) I: Examination Skills Credit: 4
  • PT 622* - Special Populations I - Physical Therapy Management of the High-Acuity Patient Credit: 3
  • PT 623 - Essentials of Therapeutic Exercise Credit: 2
  • PT 624 - Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy Credit: 3
  • PT 625 - Special Populations II - Physical Therapy Management of the Older Adult - ICE II Credit: 2

Year 2


Summer Session (6 credits total)

  • PT 692* - Clinical Education I (10 weeks) Credit: 4
  • PT 630 - Professional Development III - Ethics & Moral Agency Credit: 2
Fall Semester (17 credits total)

  • PT 641 - Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy II Credit: 2
  • PT 642 - Physical Agents and Electrotherapeutic Interventions Credit: 2
  • PT 643 - MSK II: Management of the Lower Quarter/Lumbopelvic Spine Credit: 4
  • PT 644 - Advanced Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation Credit: 3
  • PT 645 - Foundations of Neurorehabilitation I - Central Nervous System Credit: 3
  • PT 646 - Integumentary II Credit: 2
  • PT 647 - Special Populations III - Rural and At-Risk Populations Credit: 1
Spring Semester (17 credits total)

  • PT 650 - Foundations of Neurorehabilitation II - Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System Credit: 3
  • PT 651 - Neurorehabilitation I (CNS) Credit: 4
  • PT 652 - MSK III: Management of the Upper Quarter/Cervical Spine Credit: 4
  • PT 653 - Integumentary III - Prosthetics & Orthotics Credit: 2
  • PT 654 - Special Populations IV - Health & Wellness Promotion Credit: 2
  • PT 655 - Healthcare Systems Credit: 2

Year 3


Summer Session (6 credits total)

  • PT 694* - Clinical Education II (10 weeks) Credit: 4
  • PT 660 - Introduction to Physical Therapy Clinical Management Credit: 2
Fall Semester (17 credits total)

  • PT 670 - Physical Therapy Management of Complex Patients Credit: 2
  • PT 671 - MSK IV - Advanced Spine and Manual Physical Therapy Credit: 3
  • PT 672 - Neurorehabilitation II (SC, ANS, PNS) Credit: 4
  • PT 673 - Special Populations V - Physical Therapy Management of Pediatric Conditions Credit: 3
  • PT 674 - Clinical Administration, Marketing, Management Credit: 3
  • PT 675 - EBP III - Capstone Credit: 2
Spring Semester (8 credits total)

  • PT 696* Credit: 6
  • PT 680 Credit: 2

Note:


*These courses have additional fees, please see “Fees” section below for more information

Additional Requirements and Expenses


In accordance with the Binghamton University Graduate School Policy, any student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 may be enrolled on a probationary status, with the Division of Physical Therapy’s written approval, please refer to Policy 8.3.1 Student Handbook. Per Policy 6.1 Student Handbook, all students must successfully complete all DPT coursework in the sequence and term indicated in the DPT degree curriculum requirements (below) for their respective year of matriculation into the program. Failure to satisfactorily complete required courses will result in the student being subject to suspension for a period of 1 year and must successfully repeat the course(s) that were not successfully completed (Policy 8.3.2 Student Handbook).

Fees


Students should expect to incur costs for additional items related to clinical practice and preparation. Failure to comply and/or maintain professional/health practice requirements will negatively impact your time to degree. In addition to the standard fees charged by the Graduate School, students in the DPT program will be charged the following fees: 

  • PT-601 Clinical Human Anatomy  - Lab Fee $195.00
  • PT-616 Integumentary I: Patient Management & Mobility - Simulation Lab fee of $330 for activities in the Innovative Simulation and Practice Center (ISPC)
  • PT-622 Physical Therapy Management of the High Acuity Patient - Simulation Lab fee of $330 for activities in the Innovative Simulation and Practice Center (ISPC)
  • PT-692 Clinical Education I, PT-694 Clinical Education II, PT-696 Clinical Education III - : All students in Full Time Clinical Education Courses (FTCEE) are billed $12 per semester for Malpractice and Liability Insurance. The malpractice and liability fee is subject to change each semester.

Professional Practice Policies


Graduate students of DCNHS must adhere to the following policies related to professional practice:

Health Insurance:

Students are required to have and to submit proof of current, personal health insurance coverage. If you submit your health insurance card (front and back) and your name is not imprinted, you must also submit supporting documentation for verification. Documentation of health insurance must be resubmitted annually. Student insurance is available here through Binghamton University. This documentation must be submitted prior to beginning any clinical experience. Failure to demonstrate evidence of health insurance will prevent the student from beginning clinical experiences in any semester.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification:

All students are required to submit evidence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification by the American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. The course must have a hands-on component; purely online courses will not be accepted. Students are required to resubmit proof of certification biennially.

Student Membership in APTA:

Students are strongly encouraged to maintain membership in the APTA.  

Prior to enrollment in FTCEE courses, all students are required to submit:

  • documented evidence of current immunization to tetanus-diphtheria;
  • documented evidence of immunization or serologic evidence of immunity to MMR (measles, mumps and rubella);
  • proof of varicella (chicken pox) immunity as documented by varicella immunizations, diagnosis of history of varicella diseases or a varicella titer report, prepared by a healthcare provider;
  • documented evidence of immunization to Hepatitis B, prepared by a healthcare provider. Those electing not to receive the Hepatitis B series must sign a Statement of Declination;
  • As of September 2021, all healthcare facilities regulated by New York State Department of Health require that all students completing clinical experiences must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
  • Documented evidence of flu vaccine;
  • Students are required to sign a waiver authorizing the release of this information by the DCNHS. Failure to sign a release may lead to a delay/denial of clinical placement. 

Training in Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens and HIPAA:

Clinical agencies require that students have annual training in infection control, bloodborne pathogens and HIPAA. Graduate students who are employed in healthcare agencies and who have received the above training through their places of employment and can provide documentation of such, may satisfy this requirement. Some agencies have very specific training that they require the student to participate in prior to the beginning of a clinical experience and students are expected to comply with such requests. Students who are not currently employed may receive this training through the DCNHS. The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences HIPAA policy may be reviewed online. 

Professional Ethics and Academic Honesty: 

In accordance with the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences mission to prepare future providers and managers of care, physical therapy students are required to adhere to the following rules and regulations while enrolled in the program:

Violation of Physical Therapy Standards (VPTS) Graduate Policy:

A Violation of Physical Therapist Standards (VPTS) report may be filed any time a student is not compliant with the bulleted items below. Records of violations are tracked and recorded internally. Immediately following a violation, the VPTS Incident Report will be completed and submitted by the issuer of the violation. Once a VPTS Report Form is submitted, the student will receive the following information to his/her official Binghamton University email: 

1. Description of the violation 

2. Consequences 

3. Required remediation instructions, if necessary 

4. Instructions for submitting comments (optional) 

Course faculty or administration may request remediation to address the VPTS. A plan for remediation may be offered that could include counseling concerning specific professional behaviors.

Failure to complete the assigned remediation(s) will result in more severe consequences (and may include immediate dismissal). A student who successfully completes required remediation may be allowed to continue in the program. If a student accumulates three violations, despite successful remediation, the student will be subject to Academic Probation. If the student is currently on Academic Probation, the student will be subject to Suspension. Four cumulative violations may result in Academic Suspension. A single incident that is determined to have produced serious actual/potential harm may also result in dismissal. Dismissal from the physical therapy program as a result of a VPTS is final and may be recorded on the student’s official Binghamton University transcript.

Violations of federal, state and/or local laws will result in a report to law enforcement officers. Refer to Section 8.3 of the PT Student Handbook to initiate the Division of Physical Therapy’s Appeals Policy as a formal appeal process. Future readmission of students who have been dismissed due to a VPTS will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Questions about this policy should be directed to the Program Director.

Release of Personal Information:

Some agencies, in order to protect clients, require information related to students’ past employment and documentation as to whether or not they have ever been convicted of a criminal offense, including misdemeanors and felonies. Students may be asked to respond to such questions. 

Criminal Background Checks:

Students who have a felony or child abuse conviction are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and/or to meet licensure requirements for physical therapy. Students who have concerns about this are advised to contact the director of clinical education, the program director or the dean’s office. Students are required to report felony convictions while enrolled in the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences as it may change their progression and ability to be placed in a clinical agency. To learn if felony/child abuse convictions will negatively impact their ability for licensure, students should check with the State Board of Physical Therapy in the state in which they plan to practice.

Students may be required to complete criminal background checks to fulfill mandates from Clinical Sites. The extent of the investigation varies by facility, with some requiring more extensive federal clearances and fingerprints. Students should work with the clinical education team to ensure they are meeting the requirements.

Drug/Alcohol Screening:

Students may be required to be screened for use of drugs to fulfill mandates from Clinical Sites or to participate in Clinical Affiliations. If a drug screen is required, it will be in the list of health requirements in Exxat for the site.   

If a drug screen is required at the clinical site, the student may be provided with the following option(s): 

  • The clinical facility will perform an on-site drug screen  
  • The clinical facility will recommend off-site facility to perform the drug screen
  • The academic program will recommend an off-site facility to perform the drug screen 

The student will be responsible for costs associated with the drug screen.  

Results of the drug screen will be sent to the SCCE of the clinical site. If the student’s drug screen is positive, the SCCE will notify the DCE immediately. The findings will be forwarded to the Program Director. Students will be required to meet with the Program Director. After further review, the Program Director in conjunction with upper administration may decide: 

  • If additional drug screen(s) is necessary 
  • To refer the student to the Binghamton University Campus Support Services

The student will be removed from the clinical affiliation and required to meet with the DCE and may be subject to changes in academic standing. 

Fingerprinting:

Students who are required to obtain fingerprinting prior to a clinical education experience can reference this website to identify a location that meets their needs.

Medical Document Manager:

All DCNHS physical therapy clinical education health requirements are housed on EXXAT. Instructions for this process will be provided to students during their onboarding to clinical education. 

The DCNHS will not provide opportunities for clinical experiences to students who fail to meet the requirements/responsibilities.

Additional Information About the Program


For more information on the Physical Therapy DPT program, please refer to the Division of Physical Therapy website. To apply to the Physical Therapy DPT program, please visit the University Admissions website.

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