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
Dr. Nickole Hines-Staples is an Instructor and the Director of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Clinical Education for the University’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) Program on the Austin, TX campus. Her areas of interest in the field of speech-language pathology include swallowing and dysphagia across the lifespan with an emphasis in neonatal feeding and swallowing, in addition to voice and voice disorders. She has a passion for teaching and mentoring students in these areas, as well as facilitating hands-on experiences through clinical education.
In her director role, Hines-Staples collaborates with Clinical Services to provide clinical practicum opportunities for MS-SLP students that are diverse, enriching, and supportive of interprofessional practice. In the academic setting, Hines-Staples has taught various courses including Hypopharyngeal Visualization, Dysphagia, Voice and Velopharyngeal Disorders, Child Language, and Clinical Practicum. She has also presented on voice therapy and maintenance to local support groups, such as Power for Parkinson’s, and is an active member of American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Group (SIG) 3: Voice and Upper Airway Disorders, ASHA SIG 11: Administration and Supervision, and the Texas Speech and Hearing Association (TSHA) Local Arrangements/Philanthropy Committee Co-chair. She looks forward to presenting on Interprofessional Education at the ASHA 2021 Convention, as well as during the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sessions Meeting in 2022.
