Departmental Regulations

Physical Therapy

Major Adviser: Ernest Nalette, Chair of Graduate Studies, enalette@ithaca.edu

The physical therapy department offers a five-year dual-degree program in clinical science and physical therapy. Students receive a bachelor of science degree in clinical science after four years of study at the Ithaca campus, and a master of science degree in physical therapy after the fifth year of study at the Rochester campus. Students must complete the fifth year to be eligible for physical therapy licensure. The five-year program is designed for both freshman entry and transfer applicants. The undergraduate component of the five-year program is described in the Ithaca College undergraduate catalog. Applications are in the College's admissions prospectus.
The fifth year in physical therapy is an extension of the B.S. in clinical science curriculum on the Ithaca campus. The undergraduate program provides depth and breadth in the liberal arts and basic sciences, promoting independent study, skills for clinical practice, and an understanding of theory, communication, and critical thinking. The fifth year of study, a 12-month period, takes place at the Ithaca College Department of Physical Therapy on the University of Rochester campus. Students participate in learning opportunities in conjunction with Strong Memorial Hospital and the diverse clinical and research opportunities of the greater Rochester area. Full-time placements at clinical affiliations located throughout the country total 30 weeks and are integrated into the last three years of the program.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the graduate year, applicants must have completed the B.S. program in clinical science and have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000.

Departmental Regulations

Academic Warning

In the event that a student finishes an academic block (12 credits) at a GPA below 3.000, or fails to remove a grade of incomplete (I) in the allotted time, or withdraws from a required course, or fails, drops, or withdraws from a clinical education course, the student will be placed on academic warning by the Division of Graduate Studies. Students may be allowed to progress in the curriculum only under conditions specified and approved by the department. Remediation for removal of academic warning status will be determined by the department faculty. Graduate students on academic warning may not be allowed to progress to clinical education courses. Warning will be removed when both of the following criteria are met:
1. The student's GPA for the following block (of 12 or more credits) is 3.000 or greater.
2. The student's overall GPA for the graduate year is 3.000 or greater.
If a student receives a grade of F on a clinical affiliation, he or she will be issued an academic warning by the Division of Graduate Studies. The student must remediate this grade in one or more of the following ways, as recommended by the faculty:
1. Attend an equivalent affiliation and receive a grade of pass.
2. Perform remedial work under the supervision of one or more faculty members.
Upon successful remediation, the warning will be removed and the student will be allowed the opportunity to progress in the program.

Academic Dismissal

A graduate student in the Department of Physical Therapy can be subject to dismissal for any of the following reasons:
1. Receiving a total of more than 6 credits of C (C-, C, C+) during the graduate year
2. Receiving a grade of F for any course in the graduate year (excluding clinical affiliation)
3. Remaining on academic warning for any two consecutive blocks of 12 or more credits each
4. Failing, dropping, or withdrawing from any two clinical education courses (undergraduate or graduate)
5. Failing to complete departmental remediation as prescribed by the faculty within the allotted time

Housing and Transportation Arrangements for Clinical Affiliations

During the full-time clinical affiliation, students are responsible for making housing arrangements and transportation to and from clinical facilities.

For information, contact Division of Graduate Studies, gradstudies@ithaca.edu
Andrejs Ozolins, Office of Publications, 30. September, 2002