KRISTINE LEGTERS, PT, DSc, NCS, Chairperson
CAROLYN GALLEHER, PT, MHS, Coordinator of Undergraduate Physical Therapy:
FACULTY: Steven Bitticker, PT, MS, Julie Hartmann, PT, MEd, GCS, ACCE, Thomas Hudson,
PT, MS, PCS, Jeannette Lee, PT, Ph.D., Pamela Reynolds, PT, Ed.D., Donna Skelly, PT, MS, OCS
Physical Therapy is a health care profession that primarily focuses on the preservation,
development, and restoration of optimal function. Physical therapists provide evaluative,
rehabilitative, and preventive health care services designed to alleviate pain; prevent the onset
and progression of impairment, functional limitation, disability resulting from injury, disease,
or other causes; and restore, maintain and promote overall fitness, health and optimal quality
of life. Physical therapists work with individuals of all ages who demonstrate movement
dysfunction, or the potential for such dysfunction, of the neurological, musculoskeletal,
integumentary, and cardiopulmonary systems.
Physical therapists practice in a hospital setting, or provide services in out-of-hospital settings
through home health agencies, in nursing homes, in industrial settings, through public health
agencies, in private physical therapy clinics, in public schools and in a variety of other
nontraditional settings.
The job opportunities for physical therapists remain abundant, and according to the
Occupation Outlook Handbook, are expected to continue to grow during the new millennium.
Advances in medical technology continue to allow for the treatment of more severe
disabilities. As a result, physical therapists will be needed to care for the aging baby boomers
who face heart disease, strokes and arthritis, and to attend to the growing number of
newborns who suffer severe birth defects.
Gannon's undergraduate Physical Therapy curriculum assists students in preparing
themselves for acceptance into Gannon's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. With the
guidance of the physical therapy advisor, students select courses to fulfill prerequisites
specific to the professional program, or programs, to which students wish to apply.
All entry-level physical therapy programs offer only graduate level (master's or doctorate
degree) professional preparation. Because of this, students entering Gannon's undergraduate
physical therapy program intending to apply to graduate level professional programs should
select a major field of study. The choice of a major will depend upon the student's personal
interest. Students may select any of the following majors available at Gannon: Biology,
Business Administration, Chemistry, Mathematics, Nursing*, Psychology, Science, and Sport
and Exercise Science. *May require summer courses.
Gannon University offers a doctoral degree program in physical therapy. The curriculum is
seven years in length with a 4+3 model. Graduates must complete a Baccalaureate degree and
3 years of professional preparation. While enrollment in Gannon's undergraduate physical
therapy program does not guarantee acceptance into the professional graduate program, 75
percent of the seats in each entering class at the graduate level are reserved for "qualified
Gannon graduates".
Admission into the Undergraduate program:
The minimum requirements to be considered for acceptance to the undergraduate Physical
Therapy program include:
1. Overall high school GPA of 3.0 or better.
2. SAT score of 1010 or higher or ACT score of 21 or higher
3. Completion of college prep biology and chemistry with labs and three years of
college prep mathematics
Acceptance into the Graduate Program:
The graduate program gives preference to qualified Gannon University undergraduate
physical therapy applicants who meet the following criteria:
1. Maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA
2. Satisfy the prerequisite course GPA requirements of 3.0 with no more than four credits of
repeat course work, grades of D are not accepted.
3. Successful completion of an undergraduate degree from Gannon University.
4. Transferred to Gannon University and completed a minimum of 30 credits in the
undergraduate physical therapy program at Gannon University.
Early Acceptance Opportunity into the Graduate Program:
Four plus three guaranteed acceptance:
A guaranteed position in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be reserved for any
freshman if the following criteria are met:
1. SAT total of 1050 or higher
2. GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
3. Must maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher in Gannon undergraduate courses.
4. Must maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher in prerequisite courses with no repeated courses
5. GPA will be reviewed at the end of each academic year.
3 + 3 Program Opportunity
Gannon also offers the opportunity to participate in a 3 + 3 program. This program has been
designed for qualified students to earn an undergraduate degree and a Doctor of Physical
Therapy degree in six years rather than seven. Students who wish to apply must choose a
Science or Sport and Exercise Science major and meet the following criteria:
1. SAT total of 1100 or higher
2. A high school GPA of 3.4 or better.
3. Must maintain a GPA of 3.4 or higher in Gannon undergraduate courses.
4. Must maintain a GPA of 3.4 or higher in prerequisite courses with no repeated courses.
5. GPA will be reviewed at the end of each academic year.
Course Selection:
The following coursework meets the general requirements for most professional schools of
physical therapy including Gannon's graduate program:
| Biology with laboratories |
8 credits |
Research Methodology |
1 semester |
| Chemistry with laboratories |
8 credits |
Human Anatomy with lab |
1 semester |
| Physics with laboratories |
8 credits |
Human Physiology with lab |
1 semester |
| Mathematics |
3-6 credits |
Exercise Physiology |
1 semester |
| Psychology |
6 credits |
Exercise Physiology lab |
recommended |
| Sociology |
3 credits |
Statistics |
1 semester |
|
|
Kinesiology |
recommended | Professional schools of physical therapy vary in regard to entry requirements. Consultation
with the physical therapy school of choice during the freshman year is recommended.
Undergraduate Physical Therapy Curriculum:
The following course sequence can be varied dependent upon the undergraduate field of
study that has been selected.
FRESHMAN
Fall Semester
3 General Chemistry I/CHEM 111
1 General Chemistry I Lab/CHEM 112
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 College Algebra/MATH 111
3 Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
3 Intro to Psychology/PSYC 111
16
Spring Semester
3 General Chemistry II/CHEM 114
1 General Chem II Lab/CHEM 115
3 Critical Anal. and Comp/LENG 112
3 Psych of Human Develop/PSYC 222
3 Basic Sociology/SOCI 110
3 Hist of West & World/LHST 111
1 PT Seminar I/PT 110
17
SOPHOMORE
Fall Semester
3 Molecular Cell Biology/BIOL 122
1 Molecular Cell Bio Lab/BIOL 123
3 Research Methodology
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
16
Spring Semester
3 Animal Form Function/BIOL 124
1 Animal Form Lab/BIOL 125
3 Trigonometry/MATH 112
3 Statistics
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
1 PT Seminar II/PT 210
17
JUNIOR and SENIOR
3 Physics I /PHYS 105
1 Physics I Lab/PHYS 106
3 Physics II /PHYS 108
1 Physics II Lab/PHYS 109
3 Human Gross Anatomy/BIOL 365
1 Human Gross Anatomy Lab/BIOL 366
3 Animal Physiology/BIOL 368
1 Animal Physiology Lab/BIOL 369
3 Exercise Physiology/SPRT 390
1 Exercise Physiology Lab/SPRT 391 (recommended)
3 Structural Kinesiology/SPRT 360 (recommended)
23
All students receiving a bachelor's degree from Gannon must complete the Core of Discovery
requirements and the course requirements for their field of study in addition to the courses
listed above.
Doctor of Physical Therapy 3 + 3 Program
This program has been designed for qualified students to earn an undergraduate degree in
either Sport and Exercise Science or general Science and a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree
at Gannon University in six years rather than seven. Under the early entry program, the
students may receive a Bachelors Degree with a specific major in either of the undergraduate
options (Sport and Exercise Science/General Science) after three years of undergraduate work
and the successful completion of the first year of full time study in the Doctor of Physical
Therapy program. Students would receive their DPT Degree after successful completion of
three years in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree at Gannon University. The curriculum in
either Science or Sports and Exercise Science allows for the completion of the Core of
Discovery, the necessary coursework for completion of the intended major, and the
prerequisites for physical therapy.
Under the provisions of this program, students will matriculate at Gannon University for a
minimum of a hundred and two (102) semester hours leading toward either the Bachelor of
Science-Science/Pre Physical Therapy tract or Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science/Pre
Physical Therapy tract. A guaranteed position in our 3+3 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
will be reserved for freshman if the following criteria are met:
- SAT total of 1100 or higher
- Grade point average of 3.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Must maintain a grade point average of 3.4 or higher in Gannon undergraduate courses.
- Must maintain a grade point average of 3.4 or higher in the prerequisite courses (with no repeat courses).
GPA will be reviewed at the end of each academic year.
At the end of your junior year, your status will change from an undergraduate to graduate
status that may affect your financial aid and on-campus housing. In addition, in order for the
3 +3 students to complete their undergraduate degree, they must be formally admitted to the
DPT program and successfully complete the first year graduate courses. The graduate credits
as specified below are the only credits which will be accepted for transfer to the
undergraduate transcript for completion of the intended undergraduate degree. (B.S. Sport
and Exercise Science or B.S. Science) Failure to successfully complete the graduate course
work may result in additional undergraduate course work to fulfill the undergraduate degree
requirements.
Suggested Sport and Exercise Science Curriculum
FRESHMAN (34 credits)
Fall
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121
3 Molecular & Cellular Biology/BIOL 122
1 Molecular & Cell Biol Lab/BIOL 123
3 Physiological Chemistry/CHEM 105
1 Physiol Chem Lab/CHEM 108
3 College Algebra/MATH 111
17
Spring
3 Animal Form and Function/BIOL 124
1 Animal Form and Funct Lab/BIOL 125
3 Critical Analysis and Composition/LENG 112
3 Sport Nutrition/SPRT 130
3 Trigonometry/MATH 112
3 Intro to Philosophy/LPHI 131
1 Physical Therapy Seminar I/PT 110
17
SOPHOMORE (34 credits)
Fall
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
3 Research Methods in Exercise Science/SPRT 310
3 General Physics I/PHYS 105
1 Gen Physics I lab/PHYS 106
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
3 Intro to Psychology/PSYC 111
2 Electives
18
Spring
3 History of West & World/LHST 111
3 Statistics/PSYC 211 or MATH 213
3 General Physics II/PHYS 108
1 Gen Physics II Lab/PHYS 109
1 Physical Therapy Seminar II/PT 210
1 Animal Physiology Lab/BIOL 369
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Literature Series/LENG
17
JUNIOR (34 credits)
Fall
3 Motor Development/SPRT 414
3 Theo/Philosophy III Series/LTHE, LPHI
3 Structural Kinesiology/SPRT 360
1 Struct Kinesiology Lab/SPRT 361
3 Psyc of Human Development/PSYC 222
3 Human Gross Anatomy/BIOL 365
1 Human Gross Anat Lab/BIOL 366
17
Spring
3 Animal Physio/BIOL 368
1 Animal Physio Lab/BIOL 369
3 Sport Ethics/SPRT 460
3 Prevention & Care of Ath Inj/SPRT 420
3 Motor Learning and Performance/SPRT 415
3 Exercise Physiology/SPRT 390
1 Exercise Physiology Lab/SPRT 391
17
SENIOR (26 credits)
Fall
2 Applied Anatomy/GDPT 811
5 Found of Human Mvmt/GDPT 818
1 Found of Human Mvmt Lab/GDPT 819
2 Health Care Systems & Policy I/GDPT 810 9
2 Research Applications: Evidence Based Practice I/GDPT 814
1 Community Health Initiative I/GDPT 816
13
Spring
6 Exam, Eval & Interv for Musculoskeletal Mvmt Dysfunc of the Extremities/GDPT 822
9 Exam, Eval & Interv for Musculoskeletal Mvmt Dysf of the Extremities & Lab/GDPT 824/825
2 Exam, Eval & Intern for Musculoskeletal Mvmt Dysfunct of the Spine/GDPT 825
1 Pharmacology/GDPT 890
1 Community Health Initiative II/GDPT 826
13
128 Total credits
Suggested Science Curriculum:
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
3 Intro to Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
3 Molecular Cellular Biology/BIOL 122
1 Molecular Cellular Biol Lab/BIOL 123
3 Gen Chemistry I/CHEM 111
1 Gen Chemistry Lab/CHEM 112
17
Second Semester
3 History of West & World/LHST 111
3 Critical Analysis & Comp/LENG 112
3 Animal Form & Function/BIOL 124
1 Animal Form & Funct Lab/BIOL 125
3 General Chemistry II/CHEM 114
1 General Chemistry II Lab/CHEM 115
3 Trigonometry/MATH 112
1 PT Seminar I/PT 110
18
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
3 Research Methods/NURS 308, SPRT 310, PSYC 210, SOCI 352 or SCWK 380
3 Fundamentals of Speech/ SPCH 111
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Intro to Psychology/PSYC 111
3 Physics I/PHYS 105
1 Physics I Lab/PHYS 106
16
Second Semester
3 Statistics/MATH 213, PSYC 211, SOCI 351
3 Psych of Human Development/PSYC 222
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
3 Physics II/PHYS 108
1 Physics II Lab/PHYS 109
3 Animal Physiology/BIOL 368
1 Animal Physiology Lab/BIOL 369
1 PT Seminar II/PT 210
18
THIRD YEAR
First Semester
3 Theology or Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 Exercise Physiology/SPRT 390
1 Exercise Physio Lab/SPRT 391
3 Human Anatomy/BIOL 365
1 Human Anatomy Lab/BIOL 366
3 Earth Sci/Environmental Sci Elective
17
Second Semester
3 Structural Kinesiology/SPRT 360
1 Struct Kinesiology Lab/SPRT 361
3 Basic Sociology/SOCI 110
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
3 Senior Seminar/LBST 383
3 Earth Sci/Environmental Sci Elective
16
FOURTH YEAR (Graduate School)
First Semester
2 Applied Anatomy/GDPT 811
5 Foundations in Human Movement/GDPT 818
1 Foundations in Human Movement Lab/GDPT 819
2 Health Care System & Policy I/GDPT 810
2 Research Applications: Evidence-Based Practice I/GDPT 814
12
Second Semester
6 Exam, Eval & Intervention for Musculoskeletal Mvmt of the Extremities/GDPT 822
3 Exam, Eval & Intervention for Musculoskeletal Mvmt Dysfunct of the Extremities Lab/GDPT 824
2 Exam, Evaluation & Intervention for Musculoskeletal Mvmt Dysfunc of the Spine/GDPT 825
1 Pharmacology/GDPT 890
2 Exam, Evaluation & Intervention for Musculoskeletal Movement Dysfunction of the Spine Lab/
GDPT 827
14
128 credits total
Course Descriptions:
PT 110: Physical Therapy Seminar I
1 credit
This course will discuss the history of the physical therapy profession. Scope of practice,
responsibilities, and relationships with other health professionals will be reviewed. The
professional organization for physical therapists will be introduced to the students. The
students will meet with clinicians who will discuss the many opportunities available to
physical therapists.
PT 210: Physical Therapy Seminar II
1 credit
This course is the second in the series of seminar classes to introduce the student to the
physical therapy profession. It will allow the students additional observation of physical
therapists in the clinic and to share their experiences with each other. It also enables the
students to begin to develop their professional communication style including introduction to
medical terminology and reading professional journals.
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