College of Health Sciences, Downers Grove Campus

Mission

The mission of the Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program is to educate students, using the highest standards of academic excellence, to become physical therapists who practice across the healthcare continuum, making meaningful contributions to their patients, community, and profession.

Degree Description

Midwestern University's Physical Therapy Program offers a course of study leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree for qualified students. The full-time, continuous, 34-month, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum is designed to deliver the academic and clinical education required to prepare students for their professional role as key members of the healthcare team and as an integral part of the healthcare delivery system. The general education, professional training, experience, and personal character development of physical therapists uniquely prepare them to coordinate care related to functional improvement and functional ability.

The focus of the professional clinical doctorate degree program is the preparation of entry-level, generalist physical therapists who are able to provide competent, skilled professional services in a wide range of community and institutional practice settings that require independent judgment and self-sufficiency.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program prepares entry-level practitioners to provide physical therapy services in large, small, traditional, and nontraditional community and institutional practice settings that require independent judgment, leadership, and autonomous practice. The program also provides the foundation for graduates to identify and contribute to effecting solutions to the major, emergent health issues of our society and to contribute to the academic and clinical education of future practitioners. The graduate will be prepared to make valuable, ongoing contributions to society, healthcare, and the profession through leadership activities and collaborative efforts with others in physical therapy and professional education, practice, and research.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University begins in June of each year. The Program is 12 quarters long and is spread over the course of three calendar years (34 months).

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program offers a well-designed curriculum, enabling graduates to effectively and successfully meet the demands of working in today's healthcare community. Students and faculty form partnerships while developing the skills necessary for clinical practice and life-long learning. The Program provides opportunities for students from a variety of health care professions to work together and build collaborative relationships.

The Program has a total required credit hour capacity of 171.5 credits.  A full listing of our courses can be found in the Midwestern University Catalog. Course descriptions are also available for viewing.

TIME LIMIT FOR COMPLETION OF COURSEWORK

The maximum allotted time for completion of the program is 52 months. 

PROGRAM STRENGTHS

Evidence-based practice; health promotion and wellness programs; simulated and integrated clinical experiences. Optional electives are offered during the 3rd year of study to qualifying students.

PLANNED PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS

In order to meet the contemporary needs of physical therapy practice we are adding a new third-year musculoskeletal course to the curriculum. The Program’s curriculum is also being modified to incorporate additional oncology and pain science content.

Program Goals and Expected Program Outcomes

1. Graduates will practice independent competent physical therapy.
   • Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for independent, competent physical therapy practice.
   • Graduates will demonstrate appropriate professional behavior.
2. Students/graduates will contribute to and advocate for the health and wellness of society through education, consultation, and community outreach.
   • All students will develop, implement, and analyze a community outreach wellness program.
   • All students will utilize current best evidence to develop age-appropriate fitness prescriptions which can be used for education and consultation in the community.
3. Graduates will access, utilize, and contribute to the scientific literature for clinical decision-making.
   • Graduates will demonstrate the ability to access the scientific literature for clinical decision-making.
   • Graduates will demonstrate the ability to utilize scientific literature for clinical decision-making.
   • Graduates will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the scientific literature for clinical decision-making.
4. Faculty members will be engaged in teaching, scholarship, and service.
   • Faculty will provide high quality teaching.
   • Faculty will disseminate scholarly products on a regular basis.
   • Faculty will provide service to the University and the profession.
5. The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program will deliver an accredited, entry-level physical therapist education program which enhances the core values of the profession.
   • The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program will maintain accreditation.
   • The Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program provides a comprehensive curriculum in Physical Therapy Education.
   • The American Physical Therapy Association's Core Values content exists throughout the Midwestern University Physical Therapy Program curriculum.

The Physical Therapy Program at Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org  If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (630)515-6462 or e-mail gwozni@midwestern.edu.

Midwestern University is also accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413. 800/621-7440.