Consistent with the mission of The College of St. Scholastica and in concert with the mission of the Health Sciences Division: The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy at The College of St. Scholastica is committed to education and preparation of entry-level doctors of physical therapy. Graduates of our program are dedicated to meeting the health care needs of society with special consideration for rural communities through practice, education, and administration. As autonomous practitioners or members of multi-disciplinary teams, program graduates are recognized as leaders in the provision of evidence based practice that is compassionate, ethical, and legal. Program graduates adapt to and implement change that benefits their community and the profession.

Program Description

The College of St. Scholastica (CSS) program in physical therapy follows the 3+3 model of education. The program is divided into two parts: pre-professional and professional. The pre-professional portion consists of prerequisite courses that meet the general education outcomes of the College and initial program goals established by the PT department. The 103 credit, 33 month professional portion of the entry-level doctor in physical therapy program is designed to provide the students with learning opportunities that develop the intellectual, affective and psychomotor skills required for physical therapy practice. This full time day program integrates educational material into professional practice. The following five components form the profession of physical therapy and consequently the design of our entry-level program: Foundational Sciences (basic science information), Tests & Measures (skills associated with examination and evaluation), Interventions (communication/coordination, documentation, education, and therapeutic procedures including physical agents, mobilization, rehabilitation, prevention), Professional and social responsibility (professional socialization/professional behaviors, administration, ethics, teamwork, and the health care delivery system), and Patient management (integrative courses to hone clinical decision making and reasoning) The program is based on concept progression of scenarios moving from simple to complex, from single-system to multi-system involvement ,and from wellness to deviations from wellness.

Philosophically, the DPT program at The College of St. Scholastica is based on the confluence of the values cherished by our Benedictine sponsors, the mission of the College, and the values of the physical therapy profession: Love of Learning is reflected in the professional values of diligence, dedication, and scientific inquiry; Respect is seen in the professional qualities of caring, communication, leadership and collaboration; Community is evident in the professional values of helping, collaborating, and welcoming diversity; Hospitality is realized through the professional values of warmth and openness; and, Stewardship is demonstrated through the process of scientific inquiry, which results in optimum use of resources to ensure that patients/clients receive the best possible care. In the first year of the PT program students grow in their knowledge of the profession and begin fundamental skill acquisition. During the second and third years of professional education students continue to acquire knowledge and clinical application skills along with proficiency in incorporating critical inquiry and evidence-based practice skills necessary for sound clinical decision-making. The mission of the physical therapy program is to prepare individuals who can meet the health care needs of society with a special consideration for rural communities.

Clinical Experiences

Students are required to complete four internships (28 weeks total for the master's degree program and 36 weeks total for the DPT program) in a variety of practice settings and geographic areas. Students must complete one internship in a rural setting with the remaining internships in varied settings such as sports medicine, pediatrics, geriatrics, acute care, rehabilitation, and cardiac care. Currently, CSS has contracts with over 170 sites across the country. While the majority of clinical sites are in the upper Midwest region, possible internship options exist from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska to Florida. During the academic year, first and second year students experience hands-on skill during clinical rotations at local facilities and industries. A unique clinical rotation site for second year students is the Lake Superior College (LSC) Physical Therapy Clinic. In this setting, students provide physical therapy services under the direct supervision of faculty. In addition to meeting physical therapy needs of underinsured and uninsured community residents and faculty/staff/students of LSC, the clinic serves as a venue in which our PT and the LSC PTA students develop teamwork skills and where our PT students develop direction and supervision skills.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Physical Therapy Program at The College of St. Scholastica, the graduate will be able to:

• Practice in a competent, ethical, and legal manner
• Demonstrate the abilities and skills required of autonomous practitioners.
• Apply leadership skills in relation to the practice of physical therapy
• Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism including but not limited to life long learning and advocacy for the profession and health care consumer.
• Integrate the process of critical inquiry for evidence based practice.

Format

Students enroll on a full-time basis and all courses must be completed successfully in sequence. Following completion of the academic component of the program, the student completes clinical internships that are arranged through the program at approved sites throughout the United States. Students graduate from the program after successful completion of all internships and course requirements.

Program Director

Denise Wise, PhD, PT
Department Chair
Department of Physical Therapy
College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811