The mission of Ithaca's physical therapy department is to prepare graduates to meet the challenges facing the profession in today's rapidly changing health care system.
We achieve this mission through a high quality program that is evidenced in part by the following:
- Consistent outstanding performance of our graduates on the National Physical Therapy Licensing Exam (see sidebar at right)
- The extensive teaching experience and stability of the faculty; the 19 full-time faculty have an average of 18 years teaching experience and average 15 years at IC
- The academic profile of our incoming students; PT majors typically rank in the top 20 percent of their high school class
- Our students obtain a strong liberal arts background that fosters intellectual growth: the first three years focus primarily on basic science and liberal arts courses and the opportunity to explore other disciplines through a minor
- Intense and varied professional and clinical education experiences on and off campus
Clinical Doctorate
The doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program is designed for freshman entry and completion of all undergraduate and graduate requirements for a DPT in six years of study. Accepted students are guaranteed eligibility for the graduate portion of the DPT curriculum, provided academic requirements have been met, and additional application or GRE exam are not needed.
Students entering as freshman with appropriate AP or Transfer credits may request to accelerate and complete the DPT program in as little as five years. Transfer students are also accepted and can complete the professional component of the curriculum in as little as three years.
Study Abroad and Extracurricular Activities
Throughout the undergraduate years in Ithaca, opportunities exist for students to fulfill minors or concentrations in other fields of study, as well as to study abroad. Our students are also very active in campus activities including intercollegiate and intramural athletics, theater and music performances, campus employment, a wide array of campus clubs and organizations, and off-campus volunteer and outreach activities.
Abundant Clinical Education Opportunities
We affiliate with over twelve hundred clinical sites throughout the country for required hands-on educational experiences. Clinical activities on campus in Ithaca include "grand rounds" elective courses with faculty in the Ithaca campus OT/PT clinic, and at Longview which is a residence for senior citizens adjacent to campus.
