Mission Statement

The mission of the University's DPT program is to graduate competent, versatile, reflective, empathetic and autonomous practitioners who by virtue of their critical thinking and active learning skills, clinical experience, diagnostic proficiency, ethical and behavioral standards and commitment to professionalism, will be prepared to assist and direct the patient or client in achieving optimum function. These practitioners will contribute to their practice and society through continued professional growth and personal example of a healthy and productive lifestyle.

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• Small class ratios promoting development of close relationships with both faculty & peers.
• An interdisciplinary educational curriculum where occupational & physical therapy students take classes and work together as commonly practiced in clinical settings.
• Well-educated and experienced faculty who are attuned to student needs.
• Multiple admissions per year -- fall, spring, and summer trimesters.
• Both St. Augustine and San Diego are ideal for student life with excellent recreational and cultural activities.
  
  

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Recommended prerequisite course work (students who have not completed prerequisites will need to submit with the application, a plan of study indicating that the remaining courses will be completed prior to program enrollment. Some substitution will be considered in consultation with the Program Director):
  

• Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above is preferred; however, the grade trend of the applicant will be considered.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) combined minimum score of 1,000 for the verbal and quantitative sections. Applicants may be admitted with lesser scores if sufficient evidence of potential success in the DPT program is provided with the application. Test must have been taken within the last five years. The University's GRE Institutional Code Number is 5325.
• Volunteer or observation experience (volunteer hours, work hours, observation hours, etc.) is required.
  

• Submit your application, supporting documentation, four (4) reference checklists, and nonrefundable $50 processing fee by the due date.* Registered or certified mail is recommended.
• Include any materials that may strengthen your application, explain weaknesses, or address other special considerations.
• Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities must be submitted directly from the issuing institution.
• The four (4) reference checklists must be submitted in sealed envelopes, and can be submitted directly by the person making the reference.
• Applications and supporting credentials are reviewed by the Enrollment Services Office and the Admissions Committee. When this review is complete, selected applicants are invited to interview, generally in St. Augustine.
• Successful applicants will participate in an interview and meet with the Program Director and other faculty to demonstrate an understanding of the profession. A short written essay and other tests may be administered during the visit.
  

Contact the Enrollment Services office at 1 University Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL, 32086, Phone (800) 241-1027 with any application or advisement questions for both the St. Augustine and San Diego programs.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the St. Augustine DPT program is $8,400 per trimester for the 2007-2008 academic year.*

Tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year in San Diego is $10,000 per trimester.*

Clinical Internship Sites
The University has contracts with over 1,200 sites nationwide that provide clinical internships. The internships are part of the curriculum and may require that a student temporarily relocate. The student is responsible for the cost of travel and other associated expenses.

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Career Information
Physical Therapy is one of the fastest growing professions within the health care field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Physical Therapy in the Employment of wage and salary workers in health services by occupation, 2004 and projected change, 2004-2014.

Employment of wage and salary workers in health services by occupation, 2004 and projected change, 2002-14 (Employment in thousands)
Occupation	Employment, 2004		Percent change, 2004-14
	Number	Percent
All occupations	13,062	100.0	27.3
Management, business, and financial occupations	574	4.4	28.3
Top executives	101	0.8	33.3
Medical and health services managers	171	1.4	34.2
Professional and related occupations	5,657	43.3	27.8
psychologists	33	0.3	28.1
Counselors	152	1.2	31.8
Social workers	169	1.3	29.3
Health Educators	17	0.1	27.0
Social and human service assistants	99	0.8	38.6
Chiropractors	21	0.2	47.8
Dentists	95	0.7	18.5
Dietitians and nutritionists	32	0.2	20.1
Optometrists	18	0.1	29.6
Pharmacists	63	0.5	17.3
Physicians and surgeons	417	3.2	28.7
Physician Assistants	53	0.4	54.8
Podiatrists	7	0.1	22.2
Registered nurses	1,988	15.2	30.5
Therapists	358	2.7	32.8
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians	257	2.0	22.7
Dental hygientists	153	1.2	43.7
Diagnostic related technologists and technicians	269	2.1	26.4
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics	122	0.9	27.8
Health diagnosing and treating practitioner support technicians	226	1.7	18.0
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	586	4.5	14.2
Medical records and health information technicians	134	1.0	30.0
Service occupations	4,152	31.8	33.2
Home health aides	458	3.5	66.4
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants	1,230	9.4	22.2
Physical therapist assistants and aides	95	0.7	41.0
Dental assistants	257	2.0	43.6
Medical assistants	361	2.8	53.7
Medical transcriptionists	81	0.6	22.1
Food preparation and serving related occupations	462	3.5	12.6
Building cleaning workers	365	2.8	20.6
Personal and home care aides	312	2.4	60.5
Office and administrative support occupations	2,379	18.2	16.2
Billing and posting clerks and machine operators	179	1.4	10.9
Receptionists and information clerks	353	2.7	31.3
Medical secretaries	347	2.7	17.3
NOTE: May not add to totals due to omission of occupations with small employment.

Source: Career Guide to Industries 2006-07 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Curriculum

Click here for Course Descriptions