[Fumblerooskies]

I think we've touched on this in other threads...but here is the article in the paper:

Lynchburg College is planning its first doctorate program, partnering with Centra to help fill a community need for more physical therapists.

College president Kenneth Garren announced Monday that the school will launch a doctorate of physical therapy program in fall 2010. The move puts LC among a handful of institutions in Virginia offering the doctorate program, according to school officials.

“This is a program that will reach the community,” said Ellen Nygaard, a member of the college’s board of trustees. “It’s a wonderful way to attract students.”

“It’s going to be a win-win situation,” Garren said.

LC will begin its recruitment efforts for the program in early 2009, he said. It also will hire a director to form a curriculum with faculty members during the next two years.

http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/news/loc ... ram/11791/

[Cider Jim]

a doctorate of physical therapy program in fall 2010.

Just in time for Fumble to work on doctorate number 2.

[flamesbball84]

"Applicants need a bachelor’s degree; nationally, a typical student has a 3.4 grade point average. Undergraduate work includes anatomy, biology, chemistry, social sciences, math and physics."

Sounds like the physical therapy field has quite a few high quality students in it.

[olldflame]

As one who has had some extensive experience with PT (at a recipient), I know how valuable it can be and there is certainly a considerable knowledge base and skill set required. It just seems to me that there would not be that much need for people at the doctoral level, since from what I have seen, all PT is prescribed and overseen by a physician.

Maybe you can enlighten me Fumble. Would having people with their doctorate in PT, reduce the need for the MDs to be involved in the therapy component? Personally, I can't imagine the orthopaedic surgeon who put my shattered leg together relinquishing control over that. He was involved in the rehab for 18 months. My therapist and as far as I know all of the others working at that facility were Master's degree holders.

[Fumblerooskies]

As one who has had some extensive experience with PT (at a recipient), I know how valuable it can be and there is certainly a considerable knowledge base and skill set required. It just seems to me that there would not be that much need for people at the doctoral level, since from what I have seen, all PT is prescribed and overseen by a physician.

Maybe you can enlighten me Fumble. Would having people with their doctorate in PT, reduce the need for the MDs to be involved in the therapy component? Personally, I can't imagine the orthopaedic surgeon who put my shattered leg together relinquishing control over that. He was involved in the rehab for 18 months. My therapist and as far as I know all of the others working at that facility were Master's degree holders.

I am not an expert at PT degrees...but for an extensive injury...the doctors will still be involved a great deal.

[Fumblerooskies]

a doctorate of physical therapy program in fall 2010.

Just in time for Fumble to work on doctorate number 2.

No chance in hades would I stoop to that level.

[soccer7]

Its just as hard to get into PT school as it is to get into Medical School. I only wish LU would have jumped the gun to add this program before LC did. I believe the only other school in VA to have a PhD program for PT is ODU. I believe the only other program in the state is Shenandoah. From what I understand they are trying to do away with PT as just a Masters program. It is going to be in line with the way they do Law Degrees.