About the Department
At-A-Glance
Chapman hosts one of the longest continually accredited programs in the nation. After successfully completing an accreditation review by CAPTE in 2006, our program is now accredited until 2016.
First DPT class graduated: 2004
Application pool 2005:
Application pool 2004:
Average cumulative GPA of incoming students: 3.50
Average GRE scores of incoming students: 1050
Graduation rate for years 2002-2004: 80%
Employment Rate: 100%
Pass Rate for years 2002-2004: 100%
*Data provided by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT).
Background
Chapman University traces its beginnings to 1861 and is one of California’s oldest, most prestigious private universities. Located in historic Old Towne Orange in the heart of vibrant Orange County, Chapman enjoys beautiful weather and is close to all the best Southern California has to offer. Places Rated Almanac calls Orange County the best place to live in the United States.
Accreditation
Chapman University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
The Role of the Physical Therapist
Physical therapists evaluate, educate and provide intervention to patients and clients in order to help prevent, correct and alleviate pain, discomfort and dysfunction brought about by both physical and mental disorders. The responsibilities of the physical therapist also include collaboration with other professionals, teaching, research, administration and consultation. Physical therapy services are provided in such diverse settings as hospitals, out-patient clinics, rehabilitation centers, private practices, voluntary health agencies, home health care agencies, schools for children with disabilities, public schools and sports therapy clinics.
Department Philosophy
The curriculum of the Department of Physical Therapy at Chapman University is based on the philosophy that physical therapists function as caring, problem-solving professionals rather than technicians. In keeping with this philosophy, the curricular goals, competencies and individual course objectives have been designed and interrelated so that their attainment, through classroom and clinical experiences, gradually provides student with the development of skills necessary for this level of function. Students are introduced early to the problem-solving process and to basic concepts and principles from the basic and applied sciences. Later courses require the utilization of these and more advanced concepts and principles in the solution of patient care problems.
An important concept in the philosophy of the Department Physical Therapy is that physical therapists function as caring professionals. The concepts of respect for the dignity of the individual are woven throughout the curriculum. To allow for the development of these concepts within the individual student, the curriculum provides opportunity for the students to learn the ways in which different people react to and interact with health care delivery personnel and programs. Students are provided opportunity to develop caring skills in the classrooms and clinic where academic and clinical faculty serve as role models.
The purpose of the Department Physical Therapy is to prepare graduates who will function effectively and be competent in any of the several non-specialized settings in which physical therapists practice. The goals of the Department are to help students become able to:
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Utilize effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication with personnel, patients, and families.
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Accurately and skillfully perform selected evaluation procedures related to referred diagnosis of patients to include record documentation and interpretation of data.
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Skillfully and accurately prepare a safe treatment area, apply treatment, and terminate treatment session.
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Perform independently while maintaining the ability to work cooperatively with the health care team.
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Participate in the planning, organization, and administration of a physical therapy service.
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Interpret and discuss research relevant to the practice of physical therapy.
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Identify the role and function of health care agencies and the procedures for utilizing their referral system.
- Assess own performance and establish appropriate performance objectives for growth.
The curricular competencies which lead to the attainment of the curricular goals are listed on the following pages. The individual objectives for each course allow the student to gain skills necessary to achieve the competencies.
"My education at Chapman was outstanding. Chapman maintains a small class size and employs personable and caring professors. During my two years there, I got to know my classmates and professors very well. Individualized help was enthusiastically provided whenever I needed it. My education at Chapman was well-rounded and highly regarded by prospective employers. It has molded me into a confident and competent physical therapist."
-Julie Getz, Class of 1995
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