Date: October 3, 2006
Contact: Eric Matanyi
Phone: (708) 534-4044
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: e-matanyi@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, Illinois, October 3, 2006 – The College of Health Professions at Governors State University has announced a November 1, 2006 application deadline for its Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. If all available spots are not filled after the deadline, applications will be received on a continual basis until all spots are filled.
Courses for those accepted will begin during the Spring/Summer trimester of 2007.
The new degree was announced earlier this year and is the first doctoral level program offered by the university. It will take the place of the current Master of Physical Therapy, which is being phased out.
The doctoral program was developed in response to ongoing changes in health professions education and recommendations from the profession itself.
“The anticipation,” explained Dr. Russell Carter, chair of the college’s Physical Therapy department, “is that doctorally-prepared physical therapists will become an entry point into the healthcare system.” He added that this is a natural progression, advantageous to both patients and the healthcare system.
The doctoral program is an enhanced version of the master’s level Physical Therapy program that the college has successfully offered for many years. The increased training and education in the program will require doctoral students to complete a total of 119 credits, as compared to the 90 credits required for the master’s program.
“Our clinical experiences will increase quite a bit,” Carter said. “That will allow the therapists to have a stronger clinical base once they graduate.”
The prerequisites for admission will remain the same as those currently in place. The doctoral program will be taught by both current faculty and new staff members.
For additional information regarding application to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program, contact Dr. Russell Carter at (708) 534-3147.
