DIRECTOR, DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM
James G. Rauh, PT, ScD, SCS, ATC
(845) 575-4714
james.rauh@marist.edu

About the Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a 36 month full-time program designed to prepare students for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) administered National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and for successful careers as a physical therapists. The program consists of three phases: didactic, clinical, and capping. Students will learn about and experience healthcare in a variety of settings and across the lifespan. In addition, ethical responsibilities, service to the community, behavioral aspects of health, and the roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist are covered. The program is designed to graduate highly trained, ethical, and problem-solving physical therapy practitioners.

Mission Statement

The Marist College DPT Program is committed to creating the next generation of physical therapists by offering the highest standard of excellence in physical therapy education. Graduates will be prepared to merge hands-on skills, ethical care, clinical judgment and critical inquiry to promote optimal functioning of current and future clients throughout their clients’ lifespan. The DPT program will instill the importance of providing advocacy and service to the profession as well as to local and global communities.

Philosophy

Achievement of the Program Mission is accomplished by educating students who will become autonomous movement specialists prepared in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and intervention of impairments, functional limitations, and disorders of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary and integumentary systems. Graduates will integrate critical thinking with ethical and professional judgment in all aspects of practice, teaching, research, collaboration and consultation. They will be service-oriented professionals dedicated to achieving optimal participation of their patients/clients by using health promotion, evidencebased and innovative strategies.

The curriculum is organized around five themes that are consistently interwoven within the curriculum. They include:

1. Optimal physical therapy is achieved by valuing and respecting individuals regardless of race, religion, sex, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, or domestic violence victim status. A humanistic and holistic approach should be used in the delivery of services to all patients/clients.
2. Physical therapy examination and intervention is driven by the application of evidence-based knowledge used as a catalyst to support critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
3. As a hands-on profession, students must be proficient in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills inherent in physical therapy practice.
4. Physical therapist must practice the highest standards of ethical and legal practice and ascribe to the American Physical Therapy Association’s Core Values and Code of Ethics.
5. The provision of optimal physical therapy education and practice is the result of a dynamic interaction of shared responsibility among the academic faculty, clinical faculty, students, and interdisciplinary professionals. This process provides a model in which graduates commit to a lifelong learning journey of using advanced education and critical inquiry to broaden their knowledge base of contemporary physical therapy practice.

The DPT Program is housed in the state-of-the-art Allied Health Building that includes a gross anatomy laboratory, standardized patient care rooms, trauma simulation room, skills laboratory, movement analysis lab, and dedicated classrooms. The program has working relationships with other programs on campus, including physician assistant studies, medical technology, and athletic training. This provides excellent opportunities to foster the development of inter-professional skills.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Marist College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by CAPTE is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Admissions Requirementes

Admission to the Marist College Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is competitive. Each applicant will be evaluated on their individual merits. Decisions will be based on academic records, references, volunteer/work experience, and an on-campus interview.

All students admitted to the Marist DPT Program will be required to have a health screening and criminal background check completed prior to matriculation. Acceptance into Marist’s DPT Program and successful completion of the program does not imply or guarantee that the student will be able to obtain state licensure upon graduation.

Degree Prerequisites

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent institution must be awarded prior to matriculation into the program. A baccalaureate degree is a minimum requirement; therefore, a masters or doctorate level degree awarded in lieu of a baccalaureate degree will meet this requirement.

Required Course Prerequisites

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II: 8 credits
• General Biology I and II: 8 credits
• General Chemistry I and II: 8 credits
• Physics I and II: 8 credits
• Psychology: 6 credits
• Statistics: 3 credits

The academic standard for admission is a 3.0 GPA overall, combined with a 3.0 GPA for science prerequisite courses. All of the above courses must be completed with grades of “C” or above. All prerequisite courses must be completed before an application in PTCAS is submitted for verification. Submission of the following documentation is also required:

• TOEFL score (if high school graduate of non-English speaking country)
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• PT volunteer/work experience forms demonstrating a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer or work-related PT experience. The hours must be in a minimum of 2 different settings
• Two letters of recommendation-one from a physical therapist or work supervisor and one from an instructor of a prerequisite course.

Degree Requirements

• To qualify for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, a candidate must successfully complete:
• All didactic courses;
• All clinical education courses;
• A doctoral project;
• A cumulative examination;
• A total of 115 credits as prescribed in the curriculum requirements.

In addition, students must:

• Maintain a 3.0 grade-point average;
• Satisfy all checkout procedures verifying expenses and fees have been paid prior to awarding any degree, issuing letter(s) of recommendation, verification of attendance, or release of official transcripts.

Advisement

The core faculty serve as the advisors for all matriculated students. Students will have regular meetings with their faculty advisor for purposes of discussing academic, clinical, and professional progress and planning. The advisement process is overseen by the Program Director.