CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION AND LEADERSHIP
I. BACKGROUND and PURPOSE
In 2006-07, physical therapist (PT) education program administrators were surveyed to determine the extent to which they felt prepared for their jobs. The results of that study indicated that very little formal education/preparation is available for PTs interested in pursuing careers in academic administration. We also found interest and support from a survey population for the creation and offering of such an educational opportunity. More recently, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) formed a taskforce to examine the shortage of existing and future academic administrators and to determine possible developmental opportunities for persons interested in seeking leadership or advancement in the academy. The School of Physical Therapy at TWU is already a leader in PT doctoral education and is well positioned to augment its course offerings to include academic leadership and administration classes to meet the needs of physical therapists interested in pursuing academic careers in PT higher education. This program will allow non-degree seeking students as well as degree (PhD or tDPT) seeking students to earn a recognized academic certificate.
II. OVERVIEW OF THE CERTIFICATE
This certificate is designed for faculty members of physical therapist and physical therapist assistant educational programs around the country interested in academic administration and educational leadership. Future faculty members may benefit from these courses, as well. The certificate will require the completion of at least 12 credit hours of instruction, including formal course work and optional practicum and independent study courses. The faculty members who will be offering courses in the certificate program have extensive backgrounds in education, leadership, and administration. The certificate would be available to students that complete a 12-credit-hour course of study over a 2 to 5-year period. This program will allow non-degree seeking students as well as degree (PhD or tDPT) seeking students to earn a recognized academic certificate. Two or three courses for the certificate program will be offered each year.
III. ADMISSION STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATE
A. Applicants for the Certificate in Physical Therapy Academic Administration/Leadership must:
1. Hold at least an earned bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional or general accrediting agency, or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university. The bachelor’s degree must be substantially equivalent to a bachelor’s degree granted by TWU.
2. Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study and a minimum 3.0 GPA for all prior graduate work.
3. Present an official transcript from each university or college attended with degree earned indicated on the transcript.
4. Standardized examinations such as the GRE are not required. However, the applicant has the option of submitting scores voluntarily.
5. Graduates from foreign universities must contact the Office of International Education in Denton for additional admission requirements.
For information about this certificate program, please contact Dr. Mary Thompson, Post-professional Program Director-Dallas, at mthompson@twu.edu.
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS
A Certificate from TWU School of Physical Therapy implies mastery of the knowledge and skills in the certificate area. Therefore, in addition to the Graduate School requirement that students who enroll in graduate courses must maintain a 3.0 GPA on all graduate-level courses taken at TWU, only one course where a C was earned will be applied toward the Certificate in Physical Therapy Academic Administration/Leadership. Formal courses can be taken in any order.
Course Descriptions
PT 6523. Teaching and Learning in Physical Therapy. To prepare for a career in physical therapy education.
Exposure to fundamental concepts and techniques that contribute to good teaching and enhanced learning. Includes theories of learning, teaching styles, methods of instruction, syllabus development, and the evaluation/assessment of teaching and learning.
PT 6533. Academic Issues in Physical Therapist Education. Advanced study of organizational and functional aspects of a professional eduational program in a university setting.
Includes university structure and governance, models of scholarship, faculty roles, faculty issues (tenure, promotion, academic freedom, development), student issues (recruitment, retention, advising/mentoring), and clinical education.
PT 6543. Academic Leadership in Physical Therapist Education. Advanced study of theoretical, historical, and philosophical underpinnings of leadership, with consideration of self, other, and organizational leaderships within academic institutions, professional associations, specific disciplines, governance entities, and related communities of interest.
Includes theories of leadership and professional development and interpersonal, informational, and decisional roles
PT 6553. Academic Administration in Physical Therapist Education. Advanced study of historical and current responsibilities, issues, and skills for academic administration in physical therapy.
Includes educational leadership; faculty recruitment, retention, and development; program development, assessment, and revision; evaluative criteria for accreditation; and promotion of faculty instruction, scholarship, and service.
PT 6103. Advanced Practicum in Physical Therapy. Supervised experience in an academic environment under the mentorship of a full time administrator at a fully accredited university.
Students must have a plan of study approved prior to the commencement of the semester. In addition, each student should expect to spend at least one half day per week in residence for the entire term. A written report of the experience will be due at the end of the semester.
PT 6913. Independent Study. Variable content.
Individual research or study relating to a problem of professional interest and significance.
Tentative Schedule
This certificate program will offer 2-3 courses each year in the following sample rotation:
Spring 2010: PT 6553. Academic Administration in Physical Therapist Education
Summer 2010: PT 6523. Teaching and Learning in Physical Therapist Education
Spring 2011: PT 6543. Academic Leadership in Physical Therapist Education
Summer 2011: PT 6533. Academic Issues in Physical Therapist Education
page last updated 3/3/2010 11:54