POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

For the WEB-based DPT Program for Licensed Physical Therapists

Excerpted from the Professional Doctoral Degrees Policy and Procedure Manual

for the College of Allied Health Professions

9/11/2006

The College of Allied Health Professions administers two Professional Doctoral Degrees:  Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) as well as a WEB-based Doctor of Physical Therapy for licensed practicing physical therapists. This document will entail information pertinent to the WEB-based DPT Program only.

Deadlines for Application:

Applications to the WEB-based DPT program are accepted throughout the year.

Students admitted to a program must register for the semester for which they are accepted.  If they fail to do so, they must reapply for admission during a future application cycle.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR STUDENT

ADMISSION TO ALL PROFESSIONAL DOCTORAL DEGREES

APPLICATION

Student applications must be sent directly to the appropriate program directors by the established deadlines. Rejection letters will be sent from the department to those students who do not meet the minimum qualifications.  The folders from qualifying applicants will be forwarded to the Director of Graduate/Professional Studies for the College of Allied Health Professions for approval and then to the Office of Admissions to complete data entry.

LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE

Each department will be responsible for reporting the applicant’s status (accepted, waiting list or rejected) to the Office of Admissions in order to complete the applicant’s record.  The department will send letters of acceptance.  As students reply, the results will be recorded in both the department and to the office of Admissions.

GRADUATION PROCEDURES

APPLICATION FOR DEGREE

Each candidate for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree must apply for the degree during the semester preceding the semester of graduation. Deadlines are specified in the University Calendar.  At the beginning of the semester prior to graduation, the departmental chairs will be asked to complete the check sheets for graduation and to report to the Director of Graduate/Professional Studies whether any student may not be able to graduate on time.  Each semester, the Chairs will confirm which students will complete all the requirements for graduation, and this information will be reported to the University Registrar in order to prepare the diplomas.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

WITHDRAWAL

A student who withdraws from the University or from a course will have WD recorded on his permanent record, provided the withdrawal occurs within the time limits listed in the official Calendar. Withdrawal after the time limit can only be approved by the Dean of the College of Allied Health Professions upon the recommendation of the department Chair.

GRADE STANDARDS

The grading system for Professional Doctoral degrees include A, B, C, D and F.  A minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained in all programs. For students in the web-based DPT program for licensed physical therapists, only 4 semester credits of courses with the grade of C may be counted toward the degree.  Students who exceed the number of acceptable credit hours with a C grade, may request permission from the program director to repeat one of the courses in which a C has been earned.  The departmental faculty will decide if a course may be retaken and which course will be retaken.  Any grade lower than a C in any course will result in academic dismissal from the program. 

CHANGE OF GRADE

Grades reported for Professional degree students by instructors to the Registrar may not be changed except in case of error in records or in evaluation. Grade changes require the approval of the instructor of record, with information regarding the change provided to the department Chair, the Director of Graduate/Professional Studies, and the Dean of the College of Allied Health Professions. Grades on record for one-calendar year may not be changed for any reason.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL-PROBATION STATUS

Any term in which a graduate student drops below an overall 3.0 GPA, the student is placed on probationary status and has a period of one semester to attain an overall 3.0 GPA or be dismissed from the program. 

A student in the status of Provisional Admission who does not have a 3.0 GPA upon completing 6 semester hours in the web-based DPT for licensed physical therapists, will be academically dismissed from the program.

As indicated above, any grade lower than a C will result in academic dismissal.  Students may appeal a dismissal to the Department Academic Standards Committee, but reinstatement is not automatically granted and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

A student who is academically dismissed from a program will not be allowed to re-apply to the same program.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT DISMISSAL

A student dismissed from a Professional Doctoral program as the result of an academic misconduct penalty will be automatically dismissed from the College and the University of South Alabama and will not be eligible to apply for readmission.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Students are expected to register for at least one course each semester, including Summer.  Under unusual circumstances and with proper justification (including medical, military, family leave), a student may submit a written request to the Web-based Program Coordinator asking for a limited leave of absence from the program (delay in start or leave after matriculation). The written request must include the circumstances for consideration, timing of the circumstances, any related factors and should ask for a decision by faculty.  The faculty may decide from a number of options including, but not limited to, 1) dismissal without option to return, 2) leave of absence with a place reserved in a specific future cohort, 3) leave of absence but with no place reserved.

The faculty will meet to determine the allowable length of the leave of absence, not to exceed one year.  Under extreme circumstances, the student may request in writing that the leave of absence be extended beyond one year.  If the faculty approves a leave of absence, the student will be notified in writing and may rejoin in a future semester. (The University requires that any student who fails to attend for one semester must reapply to the University - see policy in "Admissions/Enrollment Services" section of the USA Bulletin). It is the student's responsibility to maintain contact with the Program Coordinator of the Web-based DPT Program regarding intended date of return to the program. If a student does not return within the one-year limit and has not requested an extension, dismissal from the program will occur. In this case, a student may reapply to the Web-based DPT Program for Licensed Physical Therapists.  The returning student's previous portfolio analysis will be used and the portfolio analysis fee will not be required. 

The department is under no obligation to schedule courses in any sequence other than that typically provided.  If leave of absence is requested during a semester, University policies regarding incomplete grades (if approved by the faculty) and tuition reimbursement will apply.  If curricular changes occur during the intervening time the student may be required to complete directed study work to make up for any deficits.

The decision by the department faculty, with approval by the College Dean, is final.

FINAL GRADE GRIEVANCE POLICY

A student may initiate an inquiry under procedures set forth in The Lowdown.  Copies are available in the Dean’s Office.

APPEAL PROCEDURE

Students may appeal academic dismissal, academic misconduct dismissal and final grade grievance decisions under specified circumstances. Information concerning this procedure may be obtained from the office of the Dean of the College.

TRANSFER CREDIT

A maximum of six (6) semester hours of approved transfer credit from a regionally accredited university is allowed for the professional doctoral programs.  Prior approval by the college director of graduate studies is required. Only courses with "A" or "B" grades are acceptable for transfer.

POLICY AND Procedures FOR THE WEB-BASED DPT PROGRAM

FOR LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must submit the completed application form and portfolio using the prescribed form.  The one-page personal statement should document incorporation of course content and new knowledge into their current clinical practice and other content as specified on the application form.
• Applicants must submit a copy of their current license(s) to practice physical therapy in a US jurisdiction.
• Applicants must have official transcript(s) sent directly from the institution to the PT department, including all undergraduate and graduate coursework attempted (graduates of University of South Alabama do not have to request transcripts).
• Applicants with PT-related certification should submit formal documentation of the credential (a copy of award letter, certificate, etc.).  Certification could include clinical specialist certification (ABPTS or others), clinical instructor credentialing or certification from related fields.
• Applicants must submit a current resume or a curriculum vita that includes: continuing education courses attended over at least the recent five years, professional memberships including offices and committees, awards, honors and other contributions to physical therapy.
• Applicants must have two letters of recommendation sent directly to the PT department from the individual writing the letter: one letter of recommendation from their current or most recent employer and the other from a clinical supervisor.

PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING AND REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

1. As applications are received, the admissions clerk will log them in, process the application fee, and enter data from the application into the tDPT database, including analysis of all transcripts to identify entry-level PT degree credit and potential transfer credit from other related graduate coursework completed.
2. A faculty member will be assigned to review each portfolio to determine credit that will be granted.  The faculty member will evaluate the application and portfolio form and supporting documentation to A) confirm "Transfer credits from previous entry-level Physical Therapy degree", B) determine "Transfer credits from additional PT-related coursework", and C) determine "Credits granted from portfolio analysis" including, but not limited to, the following portfolio categories:
    

Clinical PT Practice Experience (Max of 15 Sem Cr Hr)

2-6 credits for a twelve-month period of full-time clinical practice depending on the documentation provided regarding incorporation of evidence-based practice.

Specialization/Fellowship or Expertise (Max of 8 Sem Cr Hr)

2-6 credits for each clinical specialist certification (6 credits for APTA American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certification) or completion of clinical residencies or fellowships.

Involvement in Clinical Education (Max 4 Sem Cr Hr)

Scholarly Activity (Max 6 Sem Cr Hr)

1 – 6 credits could be granted for specific examples of scholarly activity or publications, depending on scope and dissemination of the activity.

Other (CEUs, professional service, teaching…) (Maximum 6 Sem Cr Hr)

3. The Admission Credit Checklist form will be used to document the credits granted in each category.  The form must be signed by the Faculty evaluator and the Department Chair.

4. The Department Admission Committee will meet as necessary to discuss issues that arise and to make admissions decisions.

5. Letters of acceptance will be sent to individuals accepted into the program.

6. Admission coversheet (signed by Department Chair and College Director of Graduate/Professional Studies) will be forwarded to the Registrar to designate on the transcript:

            A) Credits from previous entry-level Physical Therapy degree

            B) Transfer credits from additional PT-related coursework

            C) Credits granted from portfolio analysis

COMPETITIVE ADMISSIONS

The department reserves the right to limit class size.  If it becomes necessary to institute a competitive application process, a system would be developed with a percentage of the ranking score coming from entry-level GPA and other points for clinical specialist certification, for clinical education instructor experience, for professional development or scholarly activity, etc.  Admission may be deferred to a later semester.

UPDATE OF PORTFOLIO CREDIT

Students may apply for additional portfolio credit related to significant professional achievements completed following their admission to the program, e.g. ABPTS Clinical Specialist Certification.  Following a portfolio review process identical to that described above, a memo would be sent to the Registrar (signed by Department Chair and the College Director of Graduate/Professional Studies) to specify the additional portfolio credit to be added to the transcript.

PROMOTION AND GRADUATION PROCESS

• The Department Academic Standards Committee will make all academic standard and student promotion decisions.
• Students must apply for graduation by the stated deadline during the term prior to expected graduation.
• The following graduation requirements must be met: 1) A total of at least 118 semester credit hours (including transfer credit from previous entry-level Physical Therapy degree, transfer credit from additional PT-related coursework, credits granted from portfolio analysis, credits earned from required and elective courses in the web-based DPT program). 2) Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for all DPT on-line coursework. 3) Fewer than or equal to 4 semester credits of courses with a grade of C may be applied toward the DPT degree.
• The Graduation Checklist form will be used to evaluate and document a student's progress toward graduation requirements and to specifically identify which courses remain to be completed.