The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (t-DPT) at Winston Salem State University (WSSU) is designed for professionals who have graduated with a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in physical therapy and practicing in the field. We are committed to prepare and graduate professionals to succeed as an autonomous practitioner in an evolving global health care environment. Earning the t-DPT degree will allow professionals to remain in-step with advances in clinical care and evidence based-practice.
Objectives:
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to do the following:
Understand, explain and manage clinical problems based on evidence.
Identify, read and critically evaluate current literature.
Function as an effective educator at various levels—with patients, students, peers, and the community and other health care professionals.
Advocate effectively for the profession, for the patients and for general health issues.
Develop skills required to be a lifelong independent learner.
Practice with evidence. Implement and integrate research in their clinical applications and management.
Develop and participate in community-based health and wellness activities.
Admission Criteria
Applicants from an Accredited US Program
All applicants must have successfully completed an entry-level BS or MS from an accredited physical therapy program
Applicants should request an official transcript to be sent directly to WSSU from the institution where they completed their entry-level physical therapy degree.
All applicants must provide a copy of a current and valid physical therapy state license.
Applicants from an Accredited University outside of the US:
All applicants must have successfully completed an entry-level Bachelor or Master Degree program in physical therapy from an accredited university.
Applicants should request an official transcript to be sent directly to WSSU from the institution where they completed their entry-level physical therapy degree. Certified non-English transcripts or grade reports should be accompanied by official (literal, not interpretive) translations.
Students who have attended post-secondary educational institutions, colleges, or universities outside the United States are required to submit a professional credential evaluation of all completed coursework. This is typically referred to as a course-by-course report. A course-by-course report should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the credential evaluation service.
Graduate Admissions
Winston Salem State University
Anderson Center Suite 137
601 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Evaluation Companies for Foreign Transcripts
Language proficiency requirements may apply if English was not the official language of their country. If English is not your native language, even if English is the medium of instruction in your home country, you are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (ILETS) which are administered at many sites worldwide. Your score on this test must be forwarded to Admissions by the testing service. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (written) / 213 (computer based) is required. If ILETS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required.
If registration forms for the TOEFL examination are not available at your present school, please contact:
ETS/TOEFL Program Office
Box 6155
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155, USA
Phone 1+609-921-9000
FAX 1+609-771-7385
You may also request practice tests from the Educational Testing Service.
How to Apply?
For the transitional DPT please apply online at https://www2.cfnc.org/exclusive.html#/applicationlogin/WSSU/Grad/WSSUGradApp
After creating your account, select tDPT application.
Please follow the application and the admission instruction and complete your paperwork as soon as you can.
There is no deadline for application, once your application is complete and reviewed you will be notified with the status of your application.
Entry level DPT should apply at http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx
For assistance at any point in the process, please contact us:
admissions@wssu.edu
336-750-2074 (p)
800-257-4052 (p)
336-750-2079 (f)
Curriculum:
Total Number of Credits: 24 Credit Hours
Curriculum is composed of 24 credit hours completed in 4 consecutive semesters. Applicants have up to three years to complete the t-DPT. Applicants with Master degree may be credited up to 6 credit hours.
Standard Courses:
|
Course Name
|
# of CHR
|
|
Foundation of Autonomous Practitioner
|
3
|
|
Health Care: Global View point
|
3
|
|
Clinical Decision Making in Physical Therapy
|
3
|
|
Pharmacology for Physical Therapist
|
3
|
|
Diagnostic Imaging
|
3
|
|
Woman’s Health or Health and Wellness
|
3
|
|
Differential Diagnosis
|
3
|
|
Teaching and Learning or Elective Course
|
3
|
|
Total
|
24
|
|
Special Topics in Physical Therapy**
|
2
|
|
Seminar in Physical Therapy**
|
|
|
Motor Control
|
|
** These courses are taken with the approval of the faculty advisor and they can be repeated more than once to complete a specific project.
Tuition:
Cost of WSSU Distance Learning: Bases on Graduate Tuition and Fees Spring 2016**
|
Status
|
# of CH/Semester
|
# of Semesters
|
Cost/Semester
|
Sub
|
Estimated Total Cost of the Program
|
|
In-State
|
6
|
4
|
$1,156.70
|
$4,626.80
|
$4,626.80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Out-of-State
|
6
|
4
|
$3,967.28
|
$15,869.12
|
$15,869.12
|
Payment Methods: (Attention for International Students)
Fees must be paid before the start of the semester
If you are transferring funds from out of USA, please do that as early as possible to allow the fund to arrive before the semester starts.
** Please refer to the university website for the updated tuition and fee scale.
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum:
Courses Description:
Health Care: Global Viewpoint (3 CH)
Students will be introduced to policies and values that affect global health governance and interventions. Main topics to be discussed: global health ethics, the impact of the global economy on the physical wellbeing of the world citizens, patient’s global rights, impact of disability on the human race.
Teaching and Learning: A Global Perspective (3 CH)
This course focuses on the exploration of theories of teaching, learning and adult development from a global perspective to provide the foundation for constructing effective educational experiences both in the classroom as well as in the clinic. Students review communication strategies; translate technical information into layman’s language for effective communication with patients, caregivers and other professionals; integrate theories of adult development into teaching methods that address characteristics of individual learners, differentiate among various theories of learning as applied to adult learners. An emphasis will be placed on adapting instruction to the learning needs of patient populations and health care providers.
Foundation of Autonomous Practice (3 CH)
In this course core professional values and professional roles in patient/client management are explored. Disablement models are applied to guide physical therapy diagnosis and screening for underlying pathology. Principles of evidence-based practice and outcomes measurement are introduced.
Prevention and Wellness (3 CH)
In this course students will be introduced to theories of global health, wellness, and illness as its relation to health promotion and disease prevention. Students will learn how to play a role in society in prevention, wellness, health promotion, and disease management by serving as a dynamic bridge between health and health care for both individuals and broader populations.
Diagnostic Imaging (3 CH)
In this course learners will be introduced to basic principles, procedures and interpretation of diagnostic imaging modalities. The emphasis is on plain film radiographs, contrast films, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). Other types of imaging diagnostic techniques will also be introduced e.g. nuclear medicine and diagnostic ultrasound.
Clinical Decision Making in Physical Therapy (3 CH)
This course is designed to enhance the ability and skills of physical therapy practitioners in making clinical decisions. Students will be trained on how to make decisions that confirm safe physical therapy practice within various health care settings and with different client populations. Topics that will be discussed will include case-based clinical decision-making framework, clinical predictions and current concepts in physical therapy.
Pharmacology for Physical Therapists: Clinical Applications (3 CH)
In this course students will explore the updated most commonly used pharmacological agents seen in physical therapy practice. Students will learn the basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. The purpose, action and side effects of the medications used to manage disorders including cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic, endocrine, and other disorders will be presented.
Differential Diagnosis (3 CH)
In this course students will be introduced to advanced physical assessment with a focus on differential diagnosis. Instructors will guide students through a comprehensive and systematic gathering of historical, physical, psychosocial and other pertinent information to make a differential diagnosis. Students are expected to identify signs and symptoms that require referral to other members of the health team. They will be engaged in clinical reasoning skills and diagnostic process.
Woman’s Health (3 CH)
This course is a comprehensive focus on woman’s health throughout life from infancy to aging. Topics will be presented are related to social concerns of women’s global health trends. Emphasis will be placed on woman’s health issues as it relate to physical therapy.
Seminar in Physical Therapy (3 CH)
This course will provide the student with opportunities to explore current concepts of global physical therapy practice and in depth knowledge in the four practice area: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary and integumentary patterns. The behaviors and attitudes expected at the doctoral level will also be addressed.
Special Topics in Physical Therapy (2 CH)
This course provides an in-depth study of pertinent topics related to PT theory and practice. Topic, format and subject are in accordance with faculty and student interests and professional importance. Maybe repeated more than once.
Motor Control (3 CH)
In this course students will explore the application of motor control concepts to examine, comprehend, and appraise the control of movement, posture, and locomotion. Topic covered in this course will provide learner a framework on how to utilize research findings in motor control in clinical practice.
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