Sacred Heart University

PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION

Sacred Heart University
Office of Graduate Admissions
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825
Phone: 203-396-8259
Phone (alternate number):
Email: dilksk@sacredheart.edu
Website: http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/3104_physical_therapy.cfm

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Final PTCAS Application Deadline	Monday, January 15, 2009
Deadline Type	Firm Deadline
Program has rolling admissions process?	No

Other deadlines (if any):

Additional Deadline Information:

Open House - Saturday October 25, 2008
Early Decision Interview - January, 2009
Regular Decision Interviews - February, 2009

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

Course Prerequisites

Must applicants earn a Bachelor's degree prior to enrolling into the PT program? Internal SHU Students can apply for a 3+3 option.

For more information about course prerequisites, visit the program Web site: http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/3106_physical_therapy_prerequisites.cfm

Course prerequisite fields will be blank if program data is not available or applicable.

Course Prerequisite Name or Subject Area	Req, Rec, Crq*	SEM hrs	QTR hrs	Lab Required (Y/N)	Additional Program Information
Biology I	REQ	4	.	YES	Biology I, 4 credits. Two semesters of college biology with laboratories, to include: cell biology, energetics, genetics and evolution. Organismal functions should be studied, including active transport systems, nutrition, control of internal environment, hormonal and neural control and reproduction. (SHU equivalent: BI 111/113)
Biology II	REQ	4	.	YES	Biology II, 4 credits. Two semesters of college biology with laboratories, to include: cell biology, energetics, genetics and evolution. Organismal functions should be studied, including active transport systems, nutrition, control of internal environment, hormonal and neural control and reproduction. (SHU equivalent: BI 112/114)
General Chemistry I	REQ	4	.	YES	General Chemistry I, 4 credits. A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: laws and theories of chemistry, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, and acid/base theories. Principles of thermodynamics and electrochemistry, ionic relationships and basic concepts of biochemistry should be included. (SHU equivalent: CH 151/153) A semester of inorganic and a semester of organic chemistry, each with laboratories, will also fulfill the requirement.
General Chemistry II	REQ	4	.	YES	General Chemistry II, 4 credits. A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: laws and theories of chemistry, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, and acid/base theories. Principles of thermodynamics and electrochemistry, ionic relationships and basic concepts of biochemistry should be included. (SHU equivalent: CH 152/154) A semester of inorganic and a semester of organic chemistry, each with laboratories, will also fulfill the requirement.
Anatomy & Physiology I	REQ	4	.	YES	Anatomy & Physiology I, 4 credits. A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: (1) systemic human
Anatomy & Physiology II	REQ	4	.	YES	Anatomy & Physiology II, 4 credits. A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: (1) systemic human
General Physics I	REQ	4	.	YES	General Physics I, 4 credits. A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: vectors and forces; linear and angular acceleration; concepts of work and energy including such basic instruments as levers and pulleys; and mechanical and thermal properties of matter. Topics of vibration, light and sound wave forms, electricity, magnetism and properties of electromagnetic fields should also be included. (SHU equivalent: PY 111/113)
General Physics II	REQ	4	.	YES	General Physics I & II 8 credits. A two-semester college sequence with laboratories, to include: vectors and forces; linear and angular acceleration; concepts of work and energy including such basic instruments as levers and pulleys; and mechanical and thermal properties of matter. Topics of vibration, light and sound wave forms, electricity, magnetism and properties of electromagnetic fields should also be included. (SHU equivalent: PY 112/114)
Pre-Calculus or Calculus	REQ	4	.	NO	Math 3-4 credits. A one-semester course of pre-calculus level math or above to prepare students for the concepts of physics described above. Concepts should include at least set theory, symbolic logic, algebraic functions, polynomial and rational functions and analytic trigonometry. (SHU equivalent: MA 140)
Statistics	REQ	4	.	NO	Statistics 3-4 credits. A one-semester course in probability and elementary statistics to include: descriptive and inferential statistics such as concepts of distribution, central tendency, variation and consideration of both parametric and non-parametric tests. (SHU equivalent: MA 131)
Psychology	REQ	3	.	NO	Psychology 3-4 credits. Two semesters of psychology, to include: general or introductory psychology and a second course of the student's choice. (SHU equivalent: PS 101/PS 102)
Psychology	REQ	3	.	NO	Psychology 3-4 credits. Two semesters of psychology, to include: general or introductory psychology and a second course of the student's choice. (SHU equivalent: PS 101/PS 102)

* “Req” = required course; “Rec” = recommended course; “Crq” = conditionally required course

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE: NOT required
Last acceptable GRE test date( if applicable):
Oldest GRE score considered (if applicable):

GRE table below may contain blank fields if program data is not available or applicable.

GRE Section	Minimum GRE Score	Average GRE Score for Accepted Students
Verbal	.	.
Verbal Percentile	.	.
Quantitative	.	.
Quantitative Percentile	.	.
Analytical	.	.
Analytical Percentile	.	.
Writing	.	.
Writing Percentile	.	.

Additional information about program’s GRE requirements:

References

Total number of references required by program: 2 References

REFERENCE TYPE	Reference Type Is Required, Recommended, Accepted, Conditionally Required, NOT Accepted, or Other
Teaching Assistant	Not Accepted
Supervisor	Accepted
PTA	Not Accepted
Professor (Science)	Conditionally Required
Professor (Math)	Conditionally Required
Professor (Liberal Arts)	Conditionally Required
Pre-Health Advisor	Recommended
Politician	Not Accepted
Physical Therapist (1)	Required
Physical Therapist (2)	Recommended
Health Care Provider	Recommended
Friend	Not Accepted
Family Member	Not Accepted
Faculty Advisor	Conditionally Required
Employer	Accepted
Co-Worker	Accepted
Clergy	N/A
OTHER	N/A

Additional information about program’s reference requirements: Submit to PTCAS one letter from an employer or volunteer supervisor, and one letter from an academic source.

From an Employment and/or Volunteer Supervisor Source: It is appropriate for this letter of reference to come from an individual who has had substantive experience supervising the applicant in an employment or volunteer setting, preferably in a health care setting.
From an Academic Source: It is appropriate for this letter of reference to come from an individual who has had substantive experience working with the applicant in a classroom or academic advising situation, preferably associated with the applicant's undergraduate degree.

PT Observation Hours

Enter your PT observation hours on your PTCAS application. Login to the PTCAS application and print each customized PT Observation Hours form, if the program requires a physical therapist to verify your hours with a signature. Mail the signed form directly to the PT program, if required. Do not mail to PTCAS.

	PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
Description of Program’s PT Hours Requirement	PT hours are required - no verification by a physical therapist
Total Number of Hours REQUIRED	.
Total Number of Hours RECOMMENDED	.
DEADLINE for Completion of All PT Hours	.
PAID Experience	Accepted
VOLUNTEER Experience	Accepted
INPATIENT Experience	Accepted
OUTPATIENT Experience	Accepted
Number of hours in each PT specialty (if specified)
Number of hours in each PT setting (if specified)

Additional information about program’s PT hours requirement:

GPA Requirement

GPAs will be blank if program data is not available or applicable.

Name of GPA	Minimum GPA	Average GPA for Accepted Students
Overall Undergraduate Cumulative	3.101	3.30
Program-specific Prerequisite	3.20	3.50
Other GPA 1:	.	.
Other GPA 2:	.	.

Additional information about program’s GPA requirements (if any):

PTCAS Essay Instructions

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY ESSAY QUESTION: Please identify a project you completed that you believe required the most independent learning on your part. The project does not have to be something you did as part of schooling. Briefly describe what the project involved. Identify why you considered the experience to have been "independent" learning. Identify whether you consider the experience to have been successful, including why. Identify one way in which you would change the experience if you had it to do again that would make it an even better (or more positive) learning experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

If supplemental materials are required, send items directly to the PT program.

ITEM	PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
Supplemental application required?	To Be Determined
Supplemental deadline(s)	.
Link to supplemental application or instructions	.
Supplemental FEE required?	No
If yes, supplemental fee amount	$
Briefly describe requirements for supplemental materials (if applicable)	.

Criminal Background Check

Are accepted applicants required to complete a criminal background check? No
Description of criminal background check process (if applicable):

FOREIGN APPLICANTS AND TRANSCRIPTS

The program’s foreign (international) transcript policies do NOT apply to study abroad coursework that is itemized on a U.S. college or university transcript. Study abroad is processed in the same way as U.S. coursework.

POLICY	PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
Program’s citizenship requirements (individuals listed may be eligible for admission):	U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens with a visa, Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens
Program requires non-native speakers to submit TOEFL scores?	Yes
Program policy for submission of non-U.S. (foreign/international) coursework:	Send foreign transcript evaluation to PTCAS.
Program policy for CANADIAN coursework:	Same as instructions for foreign transcripts above.

Additional information about program’s policy on foreign coursework:

PROGRAM INFORMATION

PT Degree Offered:	Program culminates in a doctoral (DPT) degree.
PT Program Start Date(s) For Entering Class:	9/2009
Dual-degree programs offered in conjunction with the PT degree (if any):

PROFILE OF MOST RECENT ENTERING CLASS

Items will be blank if program data is not available or applicable.

PROFILE INFORMATION	PROGRAM DATA
Size of Most Recent Entering Class	55
Anticipated Size of Next Entering Class	55
Percent of IN-STATE applicants accepted	50
Percent of WICHE applicants accepted (if applicable):	.
Percent of OUT-OF-STATE (non-resident) applicants accepted	50
Percent of CANADIAN applicants accepted	.
Percent of INTERNATIONAL (non-U.S/non-Canadian) applicants accepted	.

Additional information about the class profile:

Institution's religious affiliation (if any): Roman Catholic

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

The Physical Therapy Program is a professional educational program leading to a clinical doctorate (Doctor of Physical Therapy or DPT) as the entry-level degree for professional practice. The program is three years in length, including 8-10 weeks of full-time clinical work in each of the summers between the first and second years.

PROGRAM MISSION

The Program in Physical Therapy prepares graduates for professional practice in physical therapy as general practitioners who demonstrate self-directed, ongoing learning, an understanding of self in the context of professional role, competency in clinical practice, a commitment to the application of professional skills, knowledge of self in service to others, and a commitment to effect positive change within the greater community.

UNIQUE PROGRAM ATTRIBUTES

PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING (PBL) DESIGN: PBL places emphasis on the development of a reflective practitioner by teaching students to learn from and solve clinical problems. Curriculum content is organized around carefully designed patient or professional practice problems that students study, discuss, and research in small groups called tutorials. Students develop the ability to identify, organize and synthesize materials relevant to each case in a self-directed manner that indicates responsibility for one's own learning as well as the learning of the group. The tutorial group work develops reasonable interdependence among students and supports the use of peers in learning and problem solving. Prospective students should consider themselves comfortable with this highly interactive, small group-focused learning style. Clinical supervisors and employers of our graduates have acknowledged a clinical readiness in terms of independence in clinical decision-making, efficiency in practice, and self-directedness in professional development that is important for today's practitioner.

INTEGRATED CLINCAL EXPERIENCES: Structured clinical activities integrated into classes during each of the first 4 academic semesters help students understand the practical application of semester content and facilitate the process of professional development.

CAPSTONE PROJECTS: Students complete two special projects during the program. The first “capstone” experience occurs at the end of the second year and is the culmination of the patient-based portion of the curriculum. The second “capstone” experience occurs at the end of the practice-based portion of the curriculum during the third year. Each develops the students' ability to access, interpret, synthesize, and apply relevant research literature to patient or practice situations - with the goal of using evidence to inform practice and understand the gaps in the professional body of knowledge.

FACULTY: The PT program includes exceptional faculty with more than 100 years of aggregated teaching experience across the 9 faculty members. Program faculty are well established in the physical therapy education community. Most faculty hold post-professional doctoral degrees or advanced clinical certification, including those who are nationally recognized for scholarship, service to the profession, or teaching excellence. For further information about our faculty, please visit our faculty profiles page.

MOTION ANALYSIS LABORATORY: The Motion Analysis Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art advanced technology to facilitate disciplined scientific inquiry in the field of human movement science.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FACULTY PRACTICE: The practice includes a large clinic on campus, another in Shelton, CT, and several contractual services provided in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and programs for children with special needs. The practice offers opportunities for faculty to remain current in the field and engage in clinical research. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to work with faculty and staff in the clinical environment.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES: Community outreach activities include the operation of the St. Charles/Sacred Heart University Health & Wellness Center in Bridgeport, CT, in conjunction with St. Charles Catholic Church Parish.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The program and its faculty believe that the Program Mission can best be accomplished through a professional curriculum based upon a strong liberal arts foundation. Further, we believe that the curriculum of the professional program should place at its center the process of clinical problem-solving as a construct for: (1) the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes, and skills; and (2) for the process of clinical decision-making in professional practice. The application of the clinical problem solving process is dependent not only upon knowledge of one's patient, but also on the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the profession's body of knowledge through effective use of the professional literature and current information technologies. We believe that the problem-based model of learning provides the optimal tools for developing graduates who value self-directed learning, who are prepared for the clinical decision-making demanded in professional practice, and who anticipate and respond to changes in the health care delivery system.

We believe that role models who are professionally competent and personally committed to serving the greater community are best able to model the behaviors of a socially responsible professional. We believe that in order to be effective, graduates must be sensitive to the diversity of individuals with whom they interact, and to regional differences in the practice of physical therapy.

PHYSICAL THERAPY ACCREDITATION

Sacred Heart University's physical therapy program is fully accredited at both the state (Connecticut Department of Higher Education) and national (Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education) levels. As a result, students are prepared to sit for physical therapist licensing examinations throughout the United States.