Doctor of Physical Therapy

Overview

Mission Statement

Our mission is to integrate education, research, and clinical practice to provide sound professional preparation in order to graduate physical therapists who are competent, compassionate, and ethical and who will serve their patients/clients and communities through the practice of quality, evidence-based physical therapy.

Our Vision

The University of Jamestown Physical Therapy program will create an environment of critical thinking and innovation to:

• Enhance the student experience and learning opportunities
• Promote excellence in evidence-based practice and clinical research
• Promote community health and wellness

Licensure and Other Information

The Physical Therapy Program is a residential program. Students must attend classes in person at the Fargo campus.

• Students who graduate from the physical therapy program at the University of Jamestown are able to obtain licensure in all 50 states within the United States. Thus, the Physical Therapy Program meets the licensure requirements in any state where a student wishes to obtain licensure.
• The Physical Therapy Program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), a national accrediting body. Students who graduate from the physical therapy program take a National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), which is regulated by a national licensing authority in physical therapy, the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). The FSBPT performs regulatory functions in accordance with accepted statutes.
• University of Jamestown Physical Therapy Program is an NC-SARA participant. This participation allows for effective and efficient reciprocal state-level education. This agreement allows students to travel to other NC-SARA states for clinical experiences.

CAPTE Accreditation

The Physical Therapy Program at the University of Jamestown is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE),3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 701-356-2136 or email ptadmissions@uj.edu.

Admission and Costs

Application Information

There are two avenues to be admitted into University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

• Direct Entry: Applications submitted as a senior in high school or undergraduate at the University of Jamestown, can be accepted to the Physical Therapy Program without applying through PTCAS (see below). The Physical Therapy Program will hold a position for the applicant, pending successful graduation from the University of Jamestown.
• PTCAS.org: Application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.

Individuals wishing to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for admission into the Class of 2025 need to apply using the PTCAS online application. The PTCAS application will be available July 2021 on the PTCAS website at www.ptcas.org.

The University of Jamestown Physical Therapy Program will hold interviews in November and February each year. The deadline to submit applications for the November interviews is October 1; the deadline for February interviews is December 31. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1 or until the class is full.

Information to complete the application needs to be entered and/or uploaded into PTCAS by the application deadline. Upload all required documents into PTCAS for processing; do not mail documents to the Program. Incomplete applications are not accepted.

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview at University of Jamestown in the fall or spring prior to beginning the Program. All costs associated with this interview are the responsibility of the applicant.

University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program gives priority to graduates of University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND; and gives preference to graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN; Concordia College, Moorhead, MN; and North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

Contact with applicants will be via the contact information provided in PTCAS.

Admission Information

Admission to the Program is determined on the following criteria:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation.
• Official transcripts from all higher learning institutions that you have attended.
• A minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in all undergraduate courses (GPA calculation includes repeated courses).
• A minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in all prerequisite courses listed in the prerequisite table; GPA calculation includes repeated courses). 
• Strongly encouraged to complete of a minimum of 40 hours observation, volunteer, and/or paid work in a physical therapy setting signed by a licensed physical therapist. 
• Signed Essential Function Requirements form.
• Personal essay. 
• Two letters of recommendation:
  • One from work supervisor or professor
  • One from licensed physical therapist or professor in major 
• All coursework and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States must be completed by June 1 prior to beginning the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. TOEFL scores are not required of candidates who have attended and graduated from an accredited US institution. 

University of Jamestown protects applicant rights, including due process. If an individual feels that he or she has been treated unfairly in the admissions process, he or she may wage a complaint with the Admissions Review Committee. The Admissions Review Committee is composed of the Director of the Physical Therapy Program and the Provost.

Application Information

There are two avenues to be admitted into University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

• Direct Entry: Applications submitted as a senior in high school or undergraduate at the University of Jamestown, can be accepted to the Physical Therapy Program without applying through PTCAS (see below). The Physical Therapy Program will hold a position for the applicant, pending successful graduation from the University of Jamestown.
• PTCAS.org: Application through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service.

Individuals wishing to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for admission into the Class of 2025 need to apply using the PTCAS online application. The PTCAS application will be available July 2021 on the PTCAS website at www.ptcas.org.

The University of Jamestown Physical Therapy Program will hold interviews in November and February each year. The deadline to submit applications for the November interviews is October 1; the deadline for February interviews is December 31. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1 or until the class is full.

Information to complete the application needs to be entered and/or uploaded into PTCAS by the application deadline. Upload all required documents into PTCAS for processing; do not mail documents to the Program. Incomplete applications are not accepted.

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview at University of Jamestown in the fall or spring prior to beginning the Program. All costs associated with this interview are the responsibility of the applicant.

University of Jamestown Doctor of Physical Therapy Program gives priority to graduates of University of Jamestown, Jamestown, ND; and gives preference to graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN; Concordia College, Moorhead, MN; and North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND.

Contact with applicants will be via the contact information provided in PTCAS.

Admission Information

Admission to the Program is determined on the following criteria:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to matriculation.
• Official transcripts from all higher learning institutions that you have attended.
• A minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in all undergraduate courses (GPA calculation includes repeated courses).
• A minimum GPA of 3.00/4.00 in all prerequisite courses listed in the prerequisite table; GPA calculation includes repeated courses). 
• Strongly encouraged to complete of a minimum of 40 hours observation, volunteer, and/or paid work in a physical therapy setting signed by a licensed physical therapist. 
• Signed Essential Function Requirements form.
• Personal essay. 
• Two letters of recommendation:
  • One from work supervisor or professor
  • One from licensed physical therapist or professor in major 
• All coursework and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States must be completed by June 1 prior to beginning the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. TOEFL scores are not required of candidates who have attended and graduated from an accredited US institution. 

University of Jamestown protects applicant rights, including due process. If an individual feels that he or she has been treated unfairly in the admissions process, he or she may wage a complaint with the Admissions Review Committee. The Admissions Review Committee is composed of the Director of the Physical Therapy Program and the Provost.

Program Costs

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

†Amounts estimated based on student surveys.

*Tuition for students during the 2021-2022 academic year is $710 per credit, with typical annual tuition rate increases of about 4%, but subject to change. Basic tuition does not cover items listed in Professional Fees below. Tuition, and other costs, are subject to revision by the University on an annual basis.

**Additional costs may be associated with transportation and housing related to clinical practicums and internship.

Requirements

Required Courses

Total Credit Hours: 118

Essential Function Requirements

Participation in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program requires that each student possess the ability to meet the Essential Function Requirements of the program.

1. Observation Skills

   • Each student must be able to participate actively in all demonstrations and laboratory exercises throughout the curriculum.

   • Each student must be able to accurately make observations both near and at a distance.

   • Observation and information acquisition requires the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

2. Communication Skills

   • Each student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and assess nonverbal communications.

   • Each student must be able to effectively and efficiently transmit information in verbal and written form to patients, fellow students, faculty, staff, and all members of the healthcare team.

   • Each student must possess required communication skills, which include speaking, reading, and writing, as well as the observation skills described above.

3. Motor Skills

   • Each student must have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers.

   • Each student must be capable of performing basic laboratory tests, possess all skills necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures, and execute the motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients.

   • Each student must have sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks (for example, move at least 50 pounds vertically and horizontally).

4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities

   • Each student must be able to measure, calculate reason, analyze, and synthesize. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physical therapists, requires all of these intellectual abilities.

   • Each student must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

   • Each student must have the capacity to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

   • Each student must be able to fully utilize his or her intellectual abilities and exercise good judgment. Prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients is required.

   • Each student must be capable of developing mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and others.

   • Each student must also be able to tolerate taxing workloads, function effectively under stress, adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients.

   • Each student must have compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, and interest and motivation to learn.

6. Professional Behaviors and Conduct

   • Each student must possess the ability to reason morally and practice in an ethical manner.

   • Each student must be willing to learn and abide by professional standards of practice.

   • Each student must possess attributes consistent with the seven core values (accountability, altruism, compassion, caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty, social responsibility), and the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist, and in addition demonstrate empathy, honesty, and tolerance.

   • Each student must be able to engage in patient care delivery in all settings and be able to deliver care to all patient populations including but not limited to children, adolescents, adults, developmentally disabled persons, medically compromised patients, and vulnerable adults.

   • Each student must practice safely, ethically, and legally.

Students with disabilities are expected to perform all the essential functions of the Program with or without reasonable accommodation. The University will work with each student and the respective campus disability office to provide, if possible, reasonable accommodations. While the University will make every effort to work with our students with disabilities to accommodate their disability-related needs, it is important to note we are not required to provide requested accommodations that would fundamentally alter the essential qualifications, functions, technical standards, or other academic requirements of the Program, or result in an undue financial or administrative burden.

Students who may not meet the Essential Function Requirements must inform the Director of the Physical Therapy Program, who will then contact the Provost. The Provost, in consultation with the Director of the Physical Therapy Program will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the University (Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum.

The University (Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Essential Function Requirements for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.

The essential functions outlined above have been formulated based on the mission, vision statement, and goals of the Program and the University; the guidelines of the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association; Professional Behaviors for the 21st Century; the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice 3.0; the Normative Model of Physical Therapist Education; the APTA Guide for Professional Conduct; and the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist. In addition, although not serving as a primary basis for this document, several policy statements from other universities were reviewed by the Essential Functions Committee of the Program in Physical Therapy to provide a framework for the organization of this document.

Professional Behavior Expectations

Students will strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and the APTA Core Values for the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant. The Program will use the Professional Behaviors Assessment adopted from Marquette University as a guide for student professional development. Each student will meet once a semester with his or her advisor to review his or her professional behavior. Before meeting with his or her advisor each student will:

1. Read the description of each Professional Behavior.

2. Become familiar with the behavioral criteria described in each of the levels.

3. Complete the self-assessment electronic form of his or her performance, relative to the Professional Behaviors.

4. Meet with his or her advisor, review, and discuss the form.

5. The student may have to make changes and re-submit another copy.

6. Once the advisor and the student reach an agreement and the form is complete, submit in Tk20.

7. This completed form, along with advisor comments on a Student Encounter Form, are kept in the student’s file, secured in a locked file cabinet in the File Room.

If there are significant problems, as identified by the student’s advisor:

1. The student and his or her advisor will develop a Professional Behavior Action Plan.

2. The student and his or her advisor will continue to review the Professional Behavior Action Plan until the problem is resolved or criteria is met.

3. All Professional Behavior Action Plans met are kept in the student’s file, locked in a file cabinet in the File Room.

4. If a student does not meet the Professional Behavior Action Plan, he or she will be on Program probation.

Students are guests at clinical sites. Safety, professional behavior, accountability, and communication are considered foundational elements in clinical practice and expected at all times.

Students are required to be members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and they will strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist and the Guide for Professional Conduct.

Risks and Precautions

Students may participate in clinical activities that may have certain inherent risks associated with them. There are potential risks associated in working with patients/clients and therapeutic equipment. The University of Jamestown Physical Therapy Program considers the safety of students, faculty, and patients/clients essential, and thereby includes safe practice education in all assessment and skill courses.

Plan of Study

First Year

Fall

Spring

Summer

First 6 weeks

Second 6 weeks

Second Year

Fall

First 10 weeks

Last 6 weeks

Spring

Summer

First 6 weeks

Second 6 weeks

Third Year

Fall

Spring

First 8 weeks

Second 8 weeks

Final Week

Total Credit Hours: 118

Outcomes

Student and Graduate Goals and Expected Outcomes:

Goal 1. Students and graduates will demonstrate competent, evidence-based physical therapy practice.

Expected Outcomes – Students and graduates will:

1a. Demonstrate knowledge required for entry-level physical therapy practice.

1b. Demonstrate skills required for entry-level physical therapy practice.

1c. Integrate patient values and circumstances, clinical expertise, and scientific literature to provide evidence-based physical therapy.

Goal 2. Students and graduates will demonstrate professional, compassionate, and ethical physical therapy practice.

Expected Outcomes – Students and graduates will:

2a. Exhibit professional conduct and behaviors consistent with the APTA Core Values.

2b. Adhere to professional standards as defined by the APTA Code of Ethics.

Goal 3. Students and graduates will serve their communities and the physical therapy profession.

Expected Outcomes – Students and graduates will:

3a. Engage in service to their communities.

3b. Demonstrate commitment to the physical therapy profession.

Program Goals and Expected Outcomes:

Goal 1. The Program will integrate education, research, and clinical practice to provide sound professional development.

Expected Outcomes – The Program will:

1a. Deliver a curriculum that aligns with national standards and evidence-based physical therapy practice.

1b. Facilitate scholarly activities through professional development opportunities and allocation of appropriate resources.

1c. Provide diverse opportunities for clinical practice and experience.

Goal 2. The Program will create an atmosphere of self-discipline, responsibility, and concern for the continuing growth of the individual.

Expected Outcomes – The Program will:

2a. Create an environment to maximize individual professional growth.

2b. Provide opportunities to enhance self-discipline and responsibility.

Goal 3. The Program will demonstrate a commitment to community service.

Expected Outcomes – The Program will:

3a. Engage with community partners to deliver relevant community service.

3b. Sustain formal community affiliations.

Faculty Goals and Expected Outcomes:

Goal 1. Faculty will demonstrate effective teaching consistent with the dynamic nature of physical therapy practice.

Expected Outcomes – Faculty will:

1a. Demonstrate effective teaching.

1b. Integrate content expertise and current scientific evidence into teaching.

1c. Engage in professional development related to teaching and learning.

Goal 2. Faculty will contribute to the scientific body of knowledge through scholarly activities.

Expected Outcomes – Faculty will:

2a. Engage in an ongoing scholarly agenda.

2b. Disseminate scholarship.

Goal 3. Faculty will serve their university, communities, and the physical therapy profession.

Expected Outcomes – Faculty will:

3a. Engage in service to the university and community.

3b. Demonstrate commitment to the physical therapy profession.