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Professor Shawn Drake, Chair
Associate Professors: Keith, Motts, Phillips, Sloas
Assistant Professors: Aitken, Remigio, Schweighart, Southerland

Graduate Program in Physical Therapy (DPT)

Arkansas State University
(870) 972-3591

If you are considering attending Arkansas State University and have the goal of studying Physical Therapy, the following information will be most important to you. The members of the faculty of the PT Program are pleased that you have considered our program. It is important for you to understand some things about Physical Therapy education. The information below should make the process of obtaining a degree in Physical Therapy more understandable.

Physical therapy education is delivered at the graduate level. This is not unique to A-State. All accredited Physical Therapy education programs deliver the entry-level degree at the post-baccalaureate level. This is the nature of PT education.

There is no undergraduate Physical Therapy degree. Yes, there is an Associate Degree in Physical Therapist Assisting at A-State, but this is not the PT degree. If your goal is to become a Physical Therapist, you will need to first complete a four-year degree (bachelor’s degree). The Physical Therapy Program does not require any particular major or area of study. We view all undergraduate degrees as being of equal value and potentially appropriate preparation for PT School. We do, however, require certain prerequisite courses (primarily basic math and science courses) to prepare you for the professional courses you will be taking once admitted to graduate school and the PT Program. You should meet with one of the faculty of the PT Program to discuss these courses and how they can fit into your
chosen field of undergraduate study.

As you near the completion of your undergraduate degree, you will want to make application to the A-State Graduate Programs and to the PT Program. The PT faculty will assist you with this process. During your undergraduate study you will want to develop a relationship with the PT faculty so that you remain abreast of all steps and processes involved in getting prepared for and applying to the PT program.

There are many issues and details that will need to be addressed as you prepare for PT School. That is why we are committed to helping you. For now, you should simply know that A-State is “the” place to get your education to become a PT. If you are reading this you have already begun the process. You may already have a field of study in mind for your undergraduate degree. That is great. If you are unsure about the undergraduate study, come by and visit. We can make some suggestions.

Refer to Probation, Retention and Readmission Policies in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Call us at (870) 972-3591. We are looking forward to helping you make your time at A-State enjoyable and rewarding.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Students should be aware of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program offered at A-State. See Graduate Bulletin or contact the PT program office for details at (870) 972-3591.

Physical Therapist Assistant

The PTA assists the PT in patient evaluation and assessment activities, implements treatment programs according to a plan of care, trains patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducts treatments using special equipment, administers modalities and other treatment procedures, and reports to the PT on patients’ responses to treatment.

Programs

• Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS

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