Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more
Learning Outcomes Assessment
USAHS continuously measured program effectiveness through the assessment of learning outcomes process. Incorporated into the process are evidence-based decision-making and a systematic approach to program assessment. Program-level assessment is derived from the institutional mission, aligning the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) to the Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs). Courses within the program contain key assignments designed to assess course learning outcomes that align with the PLOs, ensuring a program-level quality assurance process that supports the institutional mission.
Learning Outcomes Assessment
| Degree | Evidence used to determine that graduates have achieved stated outcomes | Findings used |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) & Master of Occupational Therapy Flex (MOT Flex) & Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Signature assignment; small-group presentation; fieldwork performance; NBCOT certification exam behaviors, communication, intervention, and fundamental of practice. | An additional tool to be implemented to help graduates improve the first-time pass rate. |
| Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) & Doctor in Physical Therapy Flex (DPT Flex) | NPTE exam pass rate; PEAT exam; exit survey; CPI; graduate survey | Tracking system implementation to identify low-performing students and remediate early; course sequencing adjusted to help students retain and apply evidence-based content. |
| Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) | Exams; key assignments; residency experience surveys | Course update; leveling courses |
| Doctor in Education (EdD) | Key assignments; dissertation research; exit survey | Continue to increase faculty and dissertation advisors collaboration to support student persistence; convert all coursework to APT 7th edition to model industry standard. |
| Post-Professional Doctor in Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) | Key assignments; exit and alumni surveys | Continue to increase faculty and dissertation advisors collaboration to support student persistence; implement IPE simulation and update coursework to facilitate interprofessional collaboration practice. |
| Master of Health Administration (MHA) & Master of Health Sciences (MHS) | Key assignments | Continue to increase faculty and dissertation advisors collaboration to support student persistence; implement IPE simulation and update coursework to facilitate interprofessional collaboration practice. |
