The Profession
The definition of physical therapy provided by The Guide to Physical Therapist Practice 3.0 states: “Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and scientific base and widespread clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function. Physical therapists are health care professionals who help individuals maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and functioning, thereby enabling optimal performance and enhancing health, well-being, and quality of life. Their services prevent, minimize, or eliminate impairments of body functions and structures, activity limitations, and participation restrictions.”
(https://www.apta.org/your-career/careers-in-physical-therapy/becoming-a-pt).
Philosophy
The program espouses a philosophy in which practitioners are partners in furthering the health and wellness of our clients, their support network, our communities, and society. The contemporary practitioner uses the best available evidence, client values, and clinical expertise as they collaborate with other professionals to assist clients in realizing their potential, modifying their lifestyles, and renewing personal objectives. To prepare students to be contemporary practitioners, faculty remain active in clinical practice, scholarly inquiry, and professional engagement, serving as role models and mentors for students.
Educational Methods and Principles
The program’s educational methods are built on the principles of adult education and established around a belief in the learner as a self-directed adult ready to initiate and assume the responsibility for learning. Faculty members guide learning experiences and provide opportunities for a variety of experiential, interactive, and self-directed learning incorporating innovation and technology. Students and faculty develop sustainable relationships and programs with community partners providing a meaningful context for reciprocal learning and engagement.
Program Values
- Faculty and program staff establish collegial relationships with students as a method to foster leadership potential and professional responsibility.
- Students provide an integral part of the learning process, establishing patterns for lifelong acquisition and integration of new knowledge.
- Faculty emphasize engaged teaching and excellence in clinical practice, both of which are enhanced by scholarly inquiry and professional service.
- Faculty actively mentor students in ways that foster a commitment to their own professional development and provide positive role models in community and professional engagement.
- Faculty and students espouse the profession’s core values as a meaningful framework for interactions among and between students, faculty, clients, and our communities.
- Together, faculty, program staff, and students are committed to making a positive difference in the health and wellness of the communities in which we work, live, and learn.
Mission
The mission of the Institute for Physical Therapy Education of Widener University is to graduate clinically competent physical therapists that demonstrate exemplary character and assume the responsibilities of citizenship. Clinically competent graduates manifest the authentic knowledge and skills of the physical therapy profession engaging in evidence-based practice, life-long learning, and autonomous decision-making. The character traits of our graduates enable them to internalize values that support ethical behavior, compassion, and respect for cultural traditions. Graduates, as responsible citizens, collaborate to enhance health care delivery, to empower clients and families, and to contribute to the profession, community, and society.
Goals and Objectives
The philosophy, goals, and objectives of the program are consistent with the articulated mission for graduate studies as reflected in the mission statement of the College of Health and Human Services. The goals and objectives of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are also based on the mission of the institute and encompass the tenets of competency, character, and citizenship.
Competency
- To provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and experiences necessary to be effective general practitioners.
- Objective 1.1: Our graduates will apply scientific knowledge, heuristic values, critical analysis, and a systematic approach in order to provide excellent patient care.
- To illustrate the importance of engagement in professional development.
- Objective 2.1: Our graduates will make a career commitment to the profession, accepting responsibility for lifelong professional development.
Character
- To promote insight into the health care needs of individuals and the cultural perspectives represented.
- Objective 3.1: Our graduates will address the cultural, social, psychological, and biological factors that contribute to determinants of health, illness, and disability in populations served by physical therapy.
- To develop skills in evaluating professional environments to recognize the moral dimension of the health care milieu.
- Objective 4.1: Our graduates will demonstrate compassion and concern for others and value life differences for all consumers of health care.
Citizenship
- To encourage active participation in the multiple arenas of the health care delivery system, including patient care, public health, wellness and prevention, advocacy, and professional organizations.
- Objective 5.1: Our graduates will participate in the changing social, economic, legal, and political events that impact health care and facilitate system innovation.
- To instill awareness and enhance the ability to effectively advocate for clients and their families.
- Objective 6.1: Our graduates will participate in activities that ensure access to effective quality patient care services.
- Objective 6.2: Our graduates will involve patients and families in the decision-making process, empower clients with information, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage a sense of responsibility for one’s own health.
- To foster an investment in the physical therapy profession, the community, and society.
- Objective 7.1: Our graduates will interact with other professionals and community groups to achieve goals in health care.
Accreditation
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association accredits physical therapy education programs in the United States. The program received its initial accreditation in May 1996, when it offered the Master of Science in Physical Therapy. In May 2000, the program was granted accreditation to offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. The most recent program evaluation occurred in 2015, and full accreditation was granted. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education conducts reviews of fully accredited programs every 10 years. The Widener DPT program is scheduled to undergo the next accreditation review in 2026 (an additional grace-period was added by CAPTE due to the nationwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DPT Program accreditation processes). Contact information for CAPTE and accreditation status of the program can be optioned on the program’s website at www.widener.edu/ipte, click on the CAPTE accreditation icon.
Physical Therapy Entry Options
Option One – Widener Undergraduate Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway
Undergraduate applicants from Widener University may qualify to enter Widener’s graduate program in physical therapy following their third or fourth year of study under the 3+3 or 4+3 reserved seat pre-physical therapy pathway. To do this, Widener undergraduate applicants must choose a major that offers a pre-physical therapy pathway and complete a specially determined sequence of courses. Specific details of the 3+3 or 4+3 curriculum ladders are detailed in the Widener University’s Undergraduate Catalog under the section titled Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway.
The 3+3 program enables undergraduate students majoring in an approved pre-physical therapy pathway to complete prerequisite course work and apply for matriculation to Widener’s graduate physical therapy program during the fall semester of their junior year. Because of the intense demands of these curriculum ladders, the 3+3 program is recommended only for applicants with a record of outstanding academic achievement at the high school level.
Applicants in the 3+3 pre-physical therapy pathway accepted into the graduate program through this option begin their physical therapy curriculum in the summer prior to their fourth year of study at the university. Applicants following these curriculum ladders must meet all requirements of their selected major as described in the Undergraduate Catalog in the sections pertaining to the science division, the humanities division, and the social science division of the College of Arts and Sciences. Applicants following these curriculum ladders must also satisfy the general education requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Please see the relevant sections of the Undergraduate Catalog for details. Applicants who successfully complete the prescribed program of study maintain a reserved seat in Widener University’s graduate physical therapy program.
To remain in the 3+3 or 4+3 reserved seat program, the student must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 while pursuing one of the pre-physical therapy curriculum ladders. By the time of application to matriculate in the graduate DPT program (end of undergraduate fall junior year 3+3, end of undergraduate fall senior year 4+3), applicants must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher to gain entrance. In addition, the student must complete all of the specific courses required for admission to the graduate physical therapy program with a grade of B or better in each course (this does not include the grade of B-).
By November 15 of the year of application, the student must submit a complete set of supplemental materials including:
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One from a physical therapist who has supervised the student (not a physical therapist assistant or other healthcare provider).
- One from a college professor who can speak to the academic capacity of the student, and
- Documentation of at least 40 observation, volunteer, and/or paid work hours in physical therapy clinical setting(s).
The courses that the 3+3 students take during the first year of the physical therapy program count toward requirements for the baccalaureate degree and toward requirements for the graduate physical therapy degree. The baccalaureate degree in the major of undergraduate study is conferred upon completion of the first year of graduate study. Applicants pursuing these pre-physical therapy curriculum ladders should consult with the Physical Therapy Program Director in the College of Health and Human Services, in addition to their undergraduate science, humanities, or social science faculty advisor.
Applicants who have lost their reserved seat can still apply for admission to the graduate physical therapy program through PTCAS. Refer to option two below.
Option Two - PTCAS Applicants
Applicants holding the bachelor’s degree may apply to the program in the regular admissions cycle via the Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) at www.ptcas.org. Courses taken in preparation for entry may be completed at Widener University or at another university or college. This also applies to applicants enrolled in 3+3 articulating programs at partnering universities. A list of articulated universities and their majors is available upon request.
All materials must be submitted through PTCAS including the following:
- Three letters of recommendation:
- One from a licensed physical therapist who has supervised the student (not a physical therapist assistant or other healthcare provider),
- One letter must be from a professor who can speak to the academic capacity of the applicant,
- A third letter can be from an individual from any other source designated as acceptable by the Widener DPT Program who can effectively evaluate any or all of the skills necessary to be a physical therapist.
- Documentation of at least 40 hours of observation, volunteer, or paid work in physical therapy clinical setting(s).
- All transcripts for every university/college attended
The preferred deadline for completing applications via PTCAS is November 1 of each year, with a firm deadline of December 1 of each year. Applicants will receive notification of the receipt of application materials from PTCAS and will be kept apprised of the status of any outstanding materials. The review of applications takes place from late August to April. Interviews will occur for selected applicants. Admissions occur on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified when decisions are made.
Option Three – PTA/Other Health Professions to DPT Considerations
Applicants who have completed a course of study in a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, earning an associate’s degree from an accredited university or college, may enter the Center for Continuing Studies to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health (www.widener.edu/academics/adult-continuing-studies/allied-health-asbs). Advanced standing will be offered for the professional courses from the PTA school (up to 30 credits). Additional courses that fulfill the prerequisites for the physical therapy curriculum will also be counted in the student’s advanced standing. Therefore, students may earn up to 60 credits in advanced standing prior to admission to Continuing Studies. Individuals who have completed the equivalent of five semesters of undergraduate course work in the Center for Continuing Studies are eligible to apply for admission to the physical therapy program if their plan for completion of prerequisites demonstrates an ability to complete all course work by the following May.
Students who have studied in health-related programs other than PTA programs may use the Continuing Studies option for completion of prerequisites and to earn a bachelor’s degree. Challenge exams may be open to these students based on faculty decision, but laboratory experiences will not be waived.
Applicants must submit through PTCAS as stated in Option Two.
Admission Guidelines
Admission guidelines are established by the faculty in compliance with university standards for graduate programs. Admission to a graduate program of study will be restricted to students who demonstrate the capacity for graduate-level studies through overall academic performance and satisfactory grade point average (GPA). A prerequisite GPA is calculated for all applicants. In addition, a science GPA is calculated and expected to be at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). These are minimum requirements. Students offered acceptance into the program often exceed these minimums.
The following prerequisite courses are required for all domestic applicants:
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English Composition/Writing
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3 semester hours
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Humanities
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6 semester hours
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Biology
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3 semester hours
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Anatomy*+
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3 semester hours (science dept. course; human anatomy preferred)
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Physiology*+
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3 semester hours (science dept. course; human physiology preferred)
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Chemistry+
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8 semester hours
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Physics+
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6 semester hours (non-calculus based is acceptable; the course must include the physics of light, sound, heat, electricity)
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Social Science
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9 semester hours (6 semester hours of psychology and 3 semester hours of social science; sociology or anthropology preferred)
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Statistics
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3 semester hours (inferential & descriptive)
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* Anatomy and Physiology I and II are also accepted.
** Students are encouraged to contact the program early to assess the need for completion of prerequisite course work.
+ Courses that are a two-part series are encouraged to be taken at the same university and in the same course sequence.
All students are encouraged to complete pre-requisite courses for letter grade. Pass/Fail or other COVID designations may not meet requirements. Applicants who have non-letter grades for prerequisite courses will be asked to provide official documentation of the letter grade earned or that at least a ‘C’ was earned.
Pre-PT students from Widener and other institutions with articulation agreements should consult their undergraduate catalog for which courses satisfy prerequisites.
Prior to matriculation, those admitted to the program must attest to their ability, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform all essential functions described in the institute’s Essential Functions document. In addition, the program requires students to obtain criminal and child abuse clearances in each year of enrollment. A prior felony conviction may make a student ineligible for physical therapy licensure and, therefore, ineligible for admission to the program. Prospective students who have had felony or other convictions should consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in Harrisburg (or other relevant licensure state boards) for licensure specifics.
Submission of health requirements and successful completion of Professional Rescuer CPR and First Aid will be required prior to the start of the fall semester of the first year.
International Students
International students must complete an application through PTCAS.
International students should consult the International Admissions Office web page at https://www.widener.edu/admissions-aid/international-admissions for guidelines or contact the Office of International Admissions at Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013; phone: 610-499-4257.
Special Status Student
Occasionally, practicing licensed physical therapists are interested in completing courses offered by the graduate program but do not wish to pursue graduate degrees. The Widener University DPT program encourages physical therapists to increase or review their areas of knowledge and training. Therefore, physical therapists who are not matriculated in the DPT program are permitted to enroll in graduate courses at the 700 or 800 level. It is not necessary for a special status student to provide letters of recommendation or pay the required application fee for admission into the graduate division. Priority for enrollment for all courses goes to those students who are officially admitted into the graduate division. Students may enroll only with written permission of the program director.
Transfer credit
Students who are admitted to the DPT program may request to transfer a maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate course work completed in a related discipline for advanced standing in the program. An additional 15 credits of equivalent work in another CAPTE accredited program may be transferable after review by the faculty and the Program Director. To be accepted for transfer credit, graduate courses must be recent (within two calendar years) and indicate a high degree of scholarship (grades of A or B). Students wishing to transfer credit must first apply in the usual cycle of admissions and must meet all other requirements for admission. An evaluation for transfer credit will not be done prior to the applicant being offered a position in the incoming class through the regular admissions process.
Curriculum
The curriculum model is best described as a traditional curriculum organized by body systems and by elements of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. The curriculum sequence builds from general to specific, normal to abnormal function, and simple to complex problem solving with clients across the lifespan. Each course introduces new material and also draws on concepts and knowledge from previous courses and student experiences. Selected material from earlier courses is often highlighted, reinforcing prior knowledge and providing content-layering. The implementation of this layering concept is further enhanced by the fact that faculty members teach in their area of content expertise within and across various curricular themes and threads. Content laying in the didactic curriculum is supported by engagement in clinical experiences and activities throughout the curriculum. The seven curricular themes include Foundation Sciences, Body Systems, Client Management, Lifespan, Evidence-based Inquiry, Professional Roles, and Clinical Experiences. Within each theme runs various content area threads. Those can be viewed in the “Curriculum Overview” section.
Supervised clinical experiences, the community health practicum, and the student-run pro bono clinic offer students an opportunity to devise an expanding base of solutions and plans based on realistic cases and clients. This integration of clinical observation and extensive classroom experiential learning and experiences in the student-run pro bono clinic strengthens students’ analysis and understanding of information.
Students will be exposed to these directed and carefully constructed experiences, which are linked to existing course work throughout the three years of the program. These clinical experiences occur throughout the curriculum in addition to the four existing clinical practice courses. Clinical practice courses provide part- and full-time experiences in clinical education and internship.
Curriculum Sequence
Physical Therapy, DPT Curriculum Sequence
Academic Policies and Standards in Physical Therapy
- This DPT program is designed as in-person and lock-step.
- There is no general policy for attendance in graduate courses. However, with certain courses, it is appropriate for the instructor to make class attendance mandatory. Such policies will be included in the course syllabus.
- Taking more than 18 credits in any semester will need the approval of the Program Director and faculty.
- To graduate from the DPT program, students must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 on a standard 4.0 system. No student will graduate from the physical therapy program with an incomplete grade.
- Any student who earns a semester GPA below a 3.0 will automatically be put on academic probation and will be required to meet with the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee. The committee will discuss performance issues and make recommendations, and may place the student on a learning contract. Repeated semesters on probation may result in an inability to move forward in the program. This decision is made after careful consideration of the student’s overall performance in the program.
- A student will not be permitted to move forward in the program when their cumulative grade point average is below 3.0 AND when they receive a grade of C in two courses in the same semester. The student may petition the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee for reinstatement. The committee may require the student to repeat those and other courses. Successful completion of a repeated course will require the student to achieve a grade of no less than a B. Failure to achieve a grade of B will result in dismissal from the program.
- If a student fails a course, that course may be repeated only once with permission of the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee. The student may also be prohibited from moving forward in the lock-step program until that course in which the student received a failing grade are repeated successfully. Successful completion of any repeated course requires a grade of B or better. After the student successfully repeats a failed course, both grades are recorded on the transcript but only the most recent grade is used in calculating the GPA. However, when a student is convicted under Widener’s academic fraud policies, that student is prohibited from exercising the repeat-of-course option to remove the F grade (given as a result of fraud) from the GPA calculation.
- If a student fails 2 or more courses, the program may dismiss the student.
- If a student fails to meet the degree requirements in 13 consecutive semesters (150% of the time from matriculation in the 3 semester-per-year program), the program may dismiss the student.
- Once dismissed from the program, a student may no longer participate in IPTE activities or courses.
- Conduct inconsistent with the ethical and professional standards of the discipline, whether it occurs before or after matriculation, is grounds for dismissal from the program.
- The code of responsible conduct for graduate students requires that each student maintain academic integrity and act according to this code in all academic matters. Students are required to read and sign the policy on academic integrity upon entering the program. They are also expected to abide by the Code of Ethics and uphold the standards of practice for physical therapy as published by the American Physical Therapy Association. Clinical integrity should model academic integrity. Students should refer to standards for clinical behavior published in the program’s clinical education manual. Scientific misconduct is defined in the document Honor in Science published by Sigma Xi Research Society.
- After acceptance and prior to enrollment in the program, all students will receive the Essential Functions document to review and sign. This document outlines the physical, cognitive and behavioral expectations of a physical therapy student at Widener University. Students will attest to their ability to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations. If the student needs accommodations, more information can be obtained by contacting Student Accessibility Services at 610-499-1266. The office is located at 520 E. 14th St. The Office of Student Accessibility Services is an advocate for students with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and psychological disabilities.
- Misconduct outside the program that results in a felony conviction may make a student ineligible for licensure as a physical therapist; hence, students who are convicted of a felony may be dismissed.
Clinical Education Standards
- A student will be allowed to participate in clinical practice courses when all prerequisite course work has been successfully completed. If a grade of Incomplete (I) has been issued for any prerequisite course(s), entry in clinical education experiences is at the discretion and mutual consensus of the Program Director, faculty, and the Directors of Clinical Education (DCEs). A plan for course completion and resolution of the Incomplete must be approved by the professor(s) of the course. The current grade in the course must also meet “Academic Policies and Standards in Physical Therapy,” described above.
- A student whose prior semester GPA is less than a 3.0 in the physical therapy curriculum and/or has failed three or more practical exams must meet with the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee. The Student Recruitment and Retention Committee will (1) determine if the student can participate in the clinical practice phase of the curriculum and (2) review the student’s performance in the curriculum to determine if continuation in the program is possible.
- The DCEs are responsible for oversight, implementation and grading of all clinical education experiences. Details of the clinical education process are outlined in the Clinical Education Manual.
- If a Fail grade is received for a clinical education experience, the DCEs in conjunction with SRRC will determine if a student is entitled to remediate by completing another clinical education experience, or, if, through the assistance of the respective clinical faculty, further time at that particular facility will meet the needs of the student. If the student is required to complete an additional clinical education experience, the DCEs will determine when and where the student will repeat the clinical experience.
- If a student has a total of two Fail grades in any of the clinical practice courses, including repeated attempts, that student will be dismissed from the program.
- If a student is unable to successfully complete a scheduled clinical practice course, progression in the curriculum may be allowed so long as the student is no more than one professional practice course behind the class. The reasons for such a situation may be, but are not limited to, an Incomplete or Fail grade in a clinical practice course or personal reasons.
Grading in Physical Therapy
Students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward their graduate degree. The graduate record for a student begins with the first course in which they enroll and includes all subsequent courses. All courses in the program are graded using the following grading scale:
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Percentage Grade
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Letter Grade
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Quality Points
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100 - 94
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A
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4.0 points
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< 94 - 90
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A-
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3.7
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< 90 - 87
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B+
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3.3
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< 87 - 83
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B
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3.0
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< 83 - 80
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B-
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2.7
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< 80 - 77
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C+
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2.3
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< 77 - 75
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C
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2.0
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< 75
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F
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0.0
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I (Incomplete)
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0.0
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W (Withdrawal)
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0.0
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P/F (Pass/Fail)*
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0.0
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AU (Audit—no credit)
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0.0
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* Pass/Fail—Most graduate courses in physical therapy will give standard letter grades. The special nature of some courses will require that they be graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
Students who elect to withdraw from a required physical therapy course may not continue with the program unless permission is granted following review by the SRRC.
Graduation
Students are eligible for graduation after completion of all didactic and clinical education courses in addition to passing the comprehensive exam. Students can officially graduate at the end of the fall, spring, and summer terms. Only one graduation ceremony is held each year. Commencement is in May following the spring semester. Students planning to graduate must file a petition.
IPTE Advisory Board
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