Phase Out Plan for the Post-Professional DPT Program - Richard ...

Richard Stockton College of New JerseyPhysical Therapy ProgramPhase Out Plan for the Post-Professional DPT ProgramReasons for ClosureIn 2009, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy by Education (CAPTE) mandated that byDecember 31, 2015 it would only accredit physical therapist programs offering the Doctor of Physical Therapy(DPT) as the first professional degree (CAPTEonline.org). The profession of physical therapy does not offerpracticing physical therapists the DPT degree through a process of “grandfathering.” Consequently, thousands ofphysical therapists were encouraged to consider embarking on post-professional education in order to attaintheir doctoral degrees. In response to this demand, Stockton initiated a Post-Professional Doctor of PhysicalTherapy (tDPT) program after receiving approval for a substantive change to offer the clinical doctoral program(DPT) in 2006.The Post-Professional DPT Program was envisioned to be a time-limited program, running approximately 10years. The first cohort began the program in spring 2007. At that time 47 students were enrolled. Enrollmentsthen leveled to the anticipated 20 students/cohort. Since spring 2011 enrollments have declined to 3-5students/year. Sixteen programs across the country have already closed, with another two set to close by 2014and one by 2019. Those therapists who graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s professional degree have nowmade the decision to complete a post-professional PT program or to remain at their current professional degree.There are an increasing number of DPT graduates entering the profession. According to the 2011-2012 CAPTEFact Sheet, 99% of physical therapist programs are offering the DPT as the first professional degree. The facultyagrees that it is now time to begin the phase out the program.Outcomes to DateTo date, 153 students were accepted into the program. Of these, 84 were previous Stockton graduates, 41 wereminority students, and 9 were out-of-state students. As of this past spring 2012, 100 students have graduated,with eleven more students scheduled to graduate fall 2012. Nine students have withdrawn from the program,citing personal/family, financial, and/or academic reasons. There are currently 48 active students in theprogram.The tDPT has focused on two broad assessment outcomes: 1) engaging in a continuous cycle of learning andprofessional development and 2) incorporating current best evidence in clinical decision making in physicaltherapy practice. In spring of 2010, the tDPT program conducted its first survey of graduates to determine theeffectiveness of the program as reported by its graduates. The survey was conducted via Zoomerang, online, aswell as via hard copy mailed to each graduate. At the time the survey was conducted there were 56 graduates.Of the 56 graduates, 39 completed the survey, yielding a 69.6% return. The results were as follows: 100% ofrespondents reported that they were engaged in a continuous cycle of learning and professional development.Activities included attending continuing education programs, reading journal articles, and engaging in journalclubs at place of employment. 97% of respondents reported that they incorporated current best evidence inclinical decision making in physical therapy practice. Physical therapy practice included providing clear and

accurate information to consumers and health care professionals, clinical decision making that is consistent withconcepts of client-centered care and current best practice, evaluation of professional research, incorporatingpsychosocial, economic, and environmental factors when devising and implementing a patient/clientintervention, incorporating a prevention, wellness, holistic approach to the practice of physical therapy,incorporating knowledge of the health care delivery system to the practice of physical therapy, coordinatingphysical therapy services effectively, and incorporating the principles of administration into the practice ofphysical therapy. The program faculty expects to conduct the next graduate survey in the spring of 2013.One faculty has offered part of her course as a continuing education program that the Physical Therapy Programand the College offers to health care professionals. One faculty is planning to transition her course to acontinuing education program.Timeline for Phasing OutThe tDPT faculty recommends that the proposed last admissions cycle be fall 2013 to give sufficient notice topotential applicants to complete the admissions process.Advertising PlanGiven the above, the associate director of the Post-Professional DPT Program has met with the Assistant Dean ofthe School of Graduate Studies and the Assistant Director of graduate enrollment to prepare an advertising planfor announcing the last admissions cycle. See the attached announcement for details.Teaching Role of Faculty Once tDPT Program EndsAs originally planned, the physical therapy faculty foresaw the expansion of the professional DPT program andthe role of the seven physical therapy faculty who teach the courses in the post-professional DPT program asmeeting at least some of the teaching needs associated with that expansion. They have also considered theneeds of the B.S.H.S. program and their engagement in and needs of the Holistic Health Minor. The faculty hasprepared for this phase out and proposes the following future roles. Please note: The lab hours listed below arebased on an expansion discussion of the DPT Program and the faculty’s decision to have one lab session with atleast two course instructors for each lab session. Whenever lab hours are listed below they reflect labs hoursthat the faculty does not do currently, but would do with expansion. The following is an example of howteaching responsibilities could shift:Elaine Bukowski:GNM 2201 – Health and Healing (HHM required course)4.0 TCHPHTH 6620 – Research III 2.67PHTH 6640 - Education Practicum1.35 TCH**Assuming Bess Kathrins remains as dean.Back-up would be PHTH 5001 – Kinesiology – labs for spine and TMJ(15 lab hours) and 1.06 TCHPHTH 5500 -MSPT I – GCP module – therapeutic exercise lab (2 lab hours),immobility lab (1 lab hour), and relaxation lab (1 hour).0.28 TCH

Mary Lou Galantino:PHTH 5520 - MSPT III – Neck and Back Module – topics that she is currentlyTeaching on overload (11 lecture hours and 25.50 lab hours)PHTH 6500/6510 - NMPT – Labs on neurological exam (2.5 hours),motor learning (2.5 hours), Exam of balance (2.5 hours), PNF (2.5 hours),and practical exam (5 hours)2.98 TCH1.06 TCHLee Ann Guenther:Dr. Guenther was teaching her tDPT course on overload since September 2012 due to the adjusted teachingcredits in the previous academic year. Therefore, she does not need to pick up any teaching credits.Bess Kathrins:PHTH 6520 – Cardiopulmonary Physical TherapyAnnual accreditation workAlysia Mastrangelo:GNM 2159 – Physiology of SportsBack up would be labs in PHTH 5500-5530 – MSPT I-IV courses.Patricia McGinnis:HLTH 3200 – Research for the Health SciencesBack up would be labs in PHTH 5500 - the GPC Module of MSPT I,PHTH 6500/6510 - NMPT courses, PHTH 6520 – CPPT course,PHTH 6530 - OSPT course, PHTH 5520 - the Peds Module of MSPT III,and PHTH 5001 - Kinesiology courses.Thomas Nolan:Release time for annual accreditation reportAdditional release time for annual accreditation report (with the mostdirector’s contract, the release time associated with accreditation wasincreased to 4 TCH)*Assuming Bess Kathrins remains as dean.Back-up would be PHTH 5520 - MSPT III – Neck and Back Module –all labs (34.5 lab hours)2.0 TCH2.0 TCH4.0 TCH4.0 TCH4.0 TCH4.0 TCH2.0 TCH2.0 TCH*2.45 TCHPlease note: The above specific details are subject to change based on the background & qualifications of theindividual hired to fill the current faculty vacancy. Should Dr. Kathrins remain as dean, the same would apply tothe individual hired to fill that potential vacancy._____________________________________________________________________________________

CAPTE Fact Sheet, 2011-2012 – Accessed athttp://www.capteonline.org/uploadedFiles/CAPTEorg/About_CAPTE/Resources/Aggregate_Program_Data/AggregateProgramData_PTPrograms.pdfAttachmentAdvertising PlanPost-Professional DPT Program Tab on Graduate Studies Webpage will read:• 1- to 3-year program based on credits • Entirely online • Minimum 3.0 GPA to apply1. Program Brochure2. Graduate Program Website3. Visit Physical Therapy Program Website4. Frequently Asked Questions5. Copy of Physical Therapy License6. Essay (include in online application only)7. Resume (include in online application only)8. 3 Letters of Recommendation9. Official Transcripts from All Colleges/Universities Attended10. Application Deadlines: Applications for Fall 2013 will be the last applications accepted for theProgram. Deadline is July 1, 2013.Hard Copies of Program Brochure will have a sticker attached that will read:Application Deadlines: Applications for Fall 2013 will be the last applications accepted for the Program.Deadline is July 1, 2013.E-mail Blast will be sent to all Stockton physical therapy graduates who graduated with a B.S. in P.T. or aM.P.T. Those who have already completed the tDPT Program will be excluded from the e-mail blast.Graduate Studies will post an announcement on Facebook targeted as folks who have an interest inphysical therapy.