| 2022-2023 Course Catalog
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
All physical therapy courses are limited to physical therapy students unless permission is obtained from the program director.
The Chatham University Physical Therapy Program educates Doctors of Physical Therapy who will advance the quality of human life through excellence in clinical practice. The Program prepares professionals to meet the challenges of a dynamic health care environment and supports faculty scholarship that bridges science and practice.
The Chatham University Physical Therapy Program offers an exceptionally innovative and student-centered curriculum that promotes critical analysis and produces professionals who are guided by integrity, committed to excellence, and oriented to service. The Program supports practitioners in achieving best practice through scholarly inquiry, dissemination, and outreach.
Designed to prepare graduates to serve as generalists, the curriculum stresses clinical decision making through the study of patient problems typically encountered in the clinical setting. Normal structure and function provide a basis for the study of disease processes and prevention, and the effect of pathology and impairments on function and quality of life. The modified problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum presents the clinical arts and science of physical therapy in an integrated manner organized around body systems.
Chatham University offers a DPT degree upon successful completion of seven terms of study. Candidates follow a sequence of courses that includes 36 weeks of clinical education.
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
Applicants to Chatham University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program must use the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Beginning June 15, 2022, applications may be submitted through PTCAS with all admission requirements noted below. Please note the GRE is not required, and there is no supplemental application.
Important dates FOR FALL 2023 Admission
Application Deadline: October 3*
Virtual Admission Interview Date: Saturday, November 5, 2022 (by invitation only)
In order to be eligible for invite to the admission interview:
- Applicants need to have at least 60% (24 credits) of the ten prerequisites complete by August 31, 2022
- PTCAS applications must be e-submitted by October 3*
- Applications must be PTCAS verified no later than October 15
*It is highly recommended to e-submit your application to PTCAS on or before September 15. PTCAS’s verification process occurs once an applicant e-submits the application and all official transcripts have been received. Verification involves some processing time, so it is in your best interest to submit all materials as early as possible to ensure your complete, verified application is available for us to review. Only verified applicants will be invited to interview.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution prior to the beginning of classes.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended sent directly to PTCAS.
- Overall combined GPA of 3.0 or better on a scale of 4.0 as calculated by PTCAS.
- Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, grades less than a "B-" in Anatomy and a "C" in all other courses are not acceptable.
- Prerequisite courses must have been completed no more than ten years prior to the anticipated start date of the program.
2022-23 CYCLE UPDATE: A "Pass" or "Satisfactory" grade for prerequisites will be accepted for coursework completed during the Spring 2020 semester. However, such grades do not impact GPA calculation.
- At least six of ten completed prerequisite courses by August 31, 2022. If admitted, all prerequisites must be complete by July 31, 2023.
- Prerequisite Courses:
- Biology with lab - two terms
- Chemistry with lab - two terms
- Physics with lab - two terms
- Physiology with lab (prefer human) - one term**
- Human Anatomy with lab - one term**
- **If taking anatomy with physiology, both anatomy & physiology I and II with labs are necessary to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements. A grade of B- or better is required in both courses.
- Statistics or Research Methods - one term
- Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development – one term
- Fulfillment of this pre-req requires course content that includes the entire human lifespan from birth to end of life. Individual courses that focus on a specific life period will be accepted (i.e. Childhood Development), as long as additional courses completed span human psychological development from birth to end of life (i.e. Adolescent Development and Aging Adult Development).
Inpatient
- Acute Care/Hospital
- Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility/Extended Care Facility
- Acute/Sub-acute Rehabilitation
- Free-standing PT Clinical/Hospital-based Clinic
- Industrial/Occupational Health
School/Pre-school
2022-23 CYCLE UPDATE: We understand volunteer/work experience may not be accessible due to COVID-19 and are advising affected students to develop insight into the PT profession through alternative ways: interview a PT (may be virtual) or research the field via the American Physical Therapy Association website. Students will not be required to verify their interview or research experiences.
- Three letters of reference included in the PTCAS application: two academic (faculty or advisor) and one licensed physical therapist OR one academic and two licensed physical therapists
- Attendance at on-campus interview.
INTEGRATED DEGREE PROGRAM
Chatham University undergraduates applying through the Integrated Degree Program (IDP) must complete all requirements outlined on their respective admission or track tab on the IDP Portal Site. All IDP applicants should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure all requirements are met according to the IDP course of study.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.
ADMISSION REVIEW PROCESS
After verifying that the minimum academic requirements are met, the physical therapy program faculty reviews each candidate's entire application and invites the most talented and qualified students to interview before program faculty and alumni. As part of the admission review, Chatham reserves the right to request a background check prior to the offer of admission. The physical therapy program strives for diversity and gender equity within each class.
ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
Chatham University has entered into "Articulation Agreements" with a select group of Colleges and Universities. These agreements provide for additional student pre-professional advisement and possible priority admission status for candidates with exceptional applications, demonstrating academic preparation above the minimal acceptable standards.Agreements exist with the following institutions for the 2022-2023 academic year:
- Allegheny College
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Grove City College
- Saint Vincent College
- Washington and Jefferson College
- Waynesburg University
Applicants from these institutions are advised to discuss the articulation requirements with their advisor as well as the graduate admission counselor at Chatham University. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Admission Department:
Office of Admission
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(800) 837-1290
(412) 365-1394
Email Admissions
ADMITTED STUDENT PROFILE
Students Beginning Fall 2022
| Number Enrolled: | 40 |
| Average Overall GPA: | 3.66 |
| Average Prerequisite GPA: | 3.55 |
| Average Age: | 23 |
| Out-of-State Residents: | 36% |
| Females: | 62% |
| Males: | 38% |
Students Beginning Fall 2021
| Number Enrolled: | 40 |
| Average Overall GPA: | 3.64 |
| Average Prerequisite GPA: | 3.62 |
| Average Age: | 23 |
| Out-of-State Residents: | 37% |
| Females: | 58% |
| Males: | 42% |
Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Practice in an ethical, legal, safe, professional, and effective manner
- Screen individuals to determine the need for habilitation, rehabilitation, referral, and/or care to promote fitness, health and wellness
- Effectively examine a patient/client.
- Formulate the physical therapy diagnosis.
- Design a comprehensive physical therapy plan of care.
- Manage a comprehensive plan of care
- Demonstrate effective written, oral, and nonverbal communication with patients/clients and their caregivers, colleagues, other health providers, payers, and the public
- Apply principles of management in the provision of physical therapy to individuals, organizations, and communities
- Apply concepts of teaching and learning theories in designing, implementing, and evaluating learning experiences used in the education of patients/clients, students, colleagues, and the community
- Apply the principles of evidence-based practice to collaborative clinical decision making
- Develop personal and professional self-assessment skills and formulate/implement a career development plan
Curriculum
Contact
Melissa Bednarek
Program Director
MBednarek@Chatham.edu
(412) 365 - 1831
