Division of Physical Therapy

Division of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy involves the evaluation and treatment of individuals with movement disorders, disabilities, injuries caused by a variety of problems, such as musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular disorders and aging. In this fast-growing field, you will help evaluate and treat people coping with movement disorders, disabilities or injuries. With your training, you will help restore function and promote their independence.

The Division of Physical Therapy (housed within the School of Allied Health Sciences) at FAMU was established in 1981, becoming the third physical therapy program in the SUS of Florida. The first class of students was admitted to the baccalaureate program in 1982; the last baccalaureate class graduated in August 2001.

 

Mission

The mission of the FAMU EDPT Program is to become a premier provider of Doctor of PT graduates who contribute to abolishing health care disparities and access in existing and emerging health care arenas by developing doctorally prepared practitioners who will increase the availability of health care to medically underserved populations in Florida. The physical therapy program fosters clinical reasoning, reflective practice, life-long learning, and critical inquiry that integrate both evidence and practice as reflected in the tenets espoused in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.


Vision

To be recognized in the region, state and nation as a premier provider of Doctor of PT graduates who contribute to abolishing health care disparities and access in existing and emerging health care arenas.


Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Florida A&M University 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: www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 850-412-7866 or email physicaltherapy@famu.edu.

The next on-site review is scheduled for 2024.


Filing a Complaint with CAPTE

DPT students may file a formal complaint against a physical therapy program with CAPTE if they feel a program is not in compliance with CAPTE Evaluative Criteria or if CAPTE expectations related to academic integrity have been violated.

Process for Filing a Complaint with CAPTE

CAPTE will take action only when it believes that practices or conditions indicate that the program may not be in compliance with the Evaluative Criteria for Accreditation, CAPTE’s Statement on Academic Integrity Related to Program Closure, or CAPTE’s Statement on Academic Integrity in Accreditation. A copy of these documents may be attained by contacting the Department of Accreditation. A formal written, complaint may be filed with CAPTE at the address above. The complaint must be in the format provided by the Department of Accreditation. Complaints may not be submitted anonymously.

Physical Therapy Programs

 

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While you cannot major in physical therapy as an undergraduate, you can earn a bachelor's degree with a pre-physical-therapy concentration, which is recommended for students interested in specializing in Physical Therapy at the graduate level.

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The Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program selects students based on cumulative grade point average (GPA), prior academic performance, GRE scores from ETS (Educational Testing Service), physical therapy volunteer or work experience, completed application and letters of recommendation.

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The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at FAMU is a full-time, campus-based program which takes 34 months to complete. Students are admitted in the fall semester annually and graduate at the end of the 3rd year Spring semester. The program includes 32 weeks of full time clinical practice. Graduates are awarded the DPT degree upon satisfactory completion of all curricular requirements.

 

Physical Therapy Associations & More

 

American Physical Therapy Association
The American Physical Therapy Association is the national professional organization representing more than 66,000 Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist’s Assistant members. Its goal is to foster advancements in Physical Therapist practice, research, and education.

Florida Physical Therapy Association
The Florida Physical Therapy Association excellence and quality in the physical therapy profession through advocacy, education and services for its members and consumers.

Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy