WHEN
MAY I APPLY? WHAT IS REQUIRED WITH THE APPLICATION?
You may apply at any time. We do "rolling enrollments",
which means you may enter the program at any time of the
year. After all required application documents have arrived
at the University, it takes approximately two (2) weeks
for the review process. You will need to provide a copy
of your PT license, resume or curriculum vita, 3 professional
references, official transcripts and the completed application
form. Foreign trained students have additional requirements
(credentialing evaluation and TOEFL if English is not your
native language).
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WHAT CHOICES DO I HAVE IN COMPLETING THIS PROGRAM?
You have several. The University of St. Augustine offers two delivery methods of coursework: pure online or attending seminar plus completing an online t-DPT credit assignment following the seminar. You have a wide selection of courses to choose from. Your course selection is up to you based on your professional interests and selection of delivery formats.
HOW
LONG DOES THE PROGRAM TAKE TO COMPLETE?
Students entering the program will need to earn 22 academic credits and it will take approximately 4 years (part-time). The students entering the program with a Bachelor's degree will also need five years of clinical experience. It is important that you take courses each semester so you are able to graduate within these timeframes. Most of our t-DPT students work fulltime and are able to complete their coursework in the evenings and on weekends.
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ARE THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS DEGREES ACCREDITED?
We are licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education to offer all of our degree programs. The University of St. Augustine has a CAPTE accredited entry-level DPT program and an ACOTE accredited entry-level OT program. The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Master of Health Science degrees are accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is authorized by the Department of Education to accredit distance education programs.
WHAT DOES THE TRANSITIONAL DPT PROGRAM COST?
The program would cost approximately $9,600 to $10,965. This cost is determined upon the course you have chosen and whether you may have already completed some seminars for Continuing Education. Online course tuition is $385/credit for pure online courses and $165/credit when a seminar is a prerequisite. Seminar fees and tuition are subject to change. If you have already completed a certification with the University, you will only need to pay for the Online Learning and the cost is approximately $4,800.
WILL I HAVE TO COME TO ST. AUGUSTINE AND FOR HOW LONG?
You will only need to come to St. Augustine if you choose to take one of the University's Certification Examinations. Most seminars are offered throughout the country and the credit assignments are completed at home on your computer.
WHAT IS CERTIFICATION AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Certification is a specialty track of study you follow. At the completion of all seminars in the track, you register and attend the Certification Preparation week. Comprehensive written, oral and practical exams are held at the end of the review week. The Certification exams are held several times a year in St. Augustine. We currently offer certifications in Manual Therapy, Primary Care, Sports Physical Therapy and Cranio-mandibular Head, Neck & Facial Pain. Under development is the Neurology through the Life Span certification track.
MAY I COMPLETE MY CERTIFICATION FIRST, AND THEN ENTER THE PROGRAM?
Yes, some people have already received their Certifications prior to applying to the program. The certification course is 3 credits. Once enrolled in the Transitional DPT Program, you may receive these credits with no time limit for when you completed the certification.
HOW MANY YEARS AFTER TAKING THE SEMINAR DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE ONLINE PORTION?
There is no time limit between when you attend the seminar and when you start the program. You may need to purchase an updated seminar manual in order to complete the online credit assignment.
I'VE NEVER TAKEN AN ONLINE COURSE BEFORE. HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT TO DO?
The University of St. Augustine has an excellent online orientation program to help you to learn how to navigate the platform and prepare you for being an online learner. There is also a help section on all courses and tech support that is readily available to all online learners. If you can write and send an email and know how to acccess a web address on the Internet, you have the skills necessary for completing an online course.
HOW DO THE ONLINE COURSES WORK?
After you register, you'll receive a password to enter the
course through the University's website, along with CD's
and articles to read. The entire course is taken online
with a group of students with instructor led discussions
on a bulletin board, audio/video clips, required readings,
and weekly quizzes. You will be guided through the course
content with a unit-by-unit breakdown of the information
that includes asynchronous interaction with students and
faculty.
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HOW
DO THE SEMINAR + ONLINE COURSES WORK?
Seminars are held all around the United States and abroad. You register for the seminar and attend at a convenient location. After the seminar, you take the online Transitional DPT Credit Assignment. The credit assignment consists of articles and/or textbooks to read and completion of an online course as described above.
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WHAT DOES THE CAPSTONE PROJECT CONSIST OF?
The Capstone Project is the final course of your program. You may choose to write a patient case report for publication on a patient you have recently treated or one article on a health related topic. You are assigned a faculty advisor who will oversee your proposal development and the writing of the project.
WHEN DO I DO THE CLINICAL RESIDENCY?
The Clinical Residency is optional and is an alternative to the Capstone Project. If you are planning to complete a residency, you need to apply for the residency at the beginning of your program. There are two forms that need to be completed and reviewed by the University. It usually takes about 3 months to get the approval. In the meantime, you may attend seminars and complete credit assignments in your chosen certification track.
HOW
MANY CREDITS WILL I NEED? AND MAY I TRANSFER IN CREDITS?
At any time during the degree program you may transfer in credits that pertain to the physical therapy course of learning. The University will consider up to 5 graduate credits from other institutions provided they meet our criteria and have not been applied to another degree.
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DOES
THE UNIVERSITY HAVE FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?
There are loans that are available, but there are no scholarships or grants at this time. Please contact Donna McCutchan in the Enrollment Services office. You may email her at: dmccutchan@usa.edu.
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MAY
I TEACH WITH A DPT DEGREE?
This is a clinical degree that is equivalent to the entry-level DPT that students entering Physical Therapy are now earning. Therefore, this degree will probably not help you to garner a faculty position at a University. Ultimately, it would be up to the University you were applying to.
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