Mission, Vision and Goals

The DPT program has been designed in consideration of the ȺpÎÞÂë Mission and the distinctive values that shape it. The program’s admission criteria will allow for unparalleled access by a diverse student body, including gender and ethnic diversity, so that the DPT program can prepare healthcare providers who are as diverse as the clients they serve. The program vision embraces the value of association, and the importance of partnering with fellow practitioners and with PT clients to deliver person-centered services. The program mission resonates with the Lewis values of fidelity, wisdom and justice as faculty seek to prepare transformative, culturally informed, and socially responsible clinicians.

The educational philosophy, mission, vision, tagline, and goals of the DPT program at ȺpÎÞÂë are as follows:

Educational Philosophy

The ȺpÎÞÂë Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, deeply ingrained in the university's Catholic and Lasallian heritage, provides a comprehensive educational experience, weaving together the core Mission Values of Knowledge, Fidelity, Wisdom, Justice, and Association. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on the movement system, recognizing its fundamental role in physical therapist practice, education, and research. We ensure that the movement system is a distinct and integral part of our program and prominently featured in every aspect of the program.

Our educational strategy goes beyond conventional methods, merging theoretical knowledge with practical applications to nurture practitioners who are not only technically proficient but also ethically and socially conscious. We prioritize critical thinking, empathetic patient care, inclusivity, and social justice in our teaching. The program is designed to promote collaboration and interdisciplinary learning, essential in today's interconnected healthcare environment. This approach prepares our graduates to be competent, well-rounded professionals, equipped to lead and innovate in the field of physical therapy, thereby enhancing community health and upholding our Catholic and Lasallian tradition.

Mission

Deeply rooted in its Catholic and Lasallian heritage, the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at ȺpÎÞÂë delivers an education that inspires students to become excellent and ethical specialists in the movement system. Guided by the university's values, our program engrains in individuals a physical therapy practice that is reflective, collaborative, evidence-informed, and socially responsible.

Vision

Our vision at ȺpÎÞÂë's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to establish ourselves as a beacon of excellence in physical therapy education. We are dedicated to shaping a new generation of physical therapists who are not only exceptional movement system specialists but also fervent advocates for social justice. We aim to develop healthcare professionals who excel in providing compassionate care and are deeply invested in catalyzing transformative change within communities, playing a pivotal role in building a better, more equitable world.

Tagline

“Movement System Specialists for a Better World: Using Movement to Enhance and Enrich the Human Experience for All.”

Goals

Program Goal

Foster the development of future physical therapists who are competent and socially responsible.

Program Outcomes:

  1. The program will meet with stakeholders with the aim to improve the program.
  2. The program will seek input from clinical instructors who work with Lewis DPT students during their terminal clinical experiences with the aim to enhance the curriculum.
  3. The program will partner with the community to promote the physical therapy profession.
  4. The program will provide pro bono physical therapy services to the medically underserved population.

Student Goal

Cultivate students to become physical therapists who deeply value community service, embrace collaboration, and consistently engage in reflective practice.

Student Outcomes:

  1. Students in the program will serve in a pro bono physical therapy service.
  2. Students in the program will experience interprofessional education and collaboration with other professions.
  3. Students in the program will practice reflection in every course in the program.

Graduate Goal

Graduates will excel as physical therapists, incorporating service, collaboration, and reflective practice into the core of their professional activities.

Graduate Outcomes:

  1. Graduates will be reflective practitioners in the field of physical therapy.
  2. Graduates will demonstrate a strong commitment to service.
  3. Graduates will achieve proficiency in specialized areas of physical therapy through specializations or certifications.
  4. Graduates will utilize evidence-informed practice as a physical therapist.

Faculty Goal

Faculty will teach with contemporary expertise and also contribute to the advancement of physical therapy knowledge and actively engage in community service.

Faculty Outcomes:

  1. Faculty will teach with contemporary expertise in their respective subject matters.
  2. Tenure and non-tenure track faculty will add to the body of knowledge in physical therapy.
  3. Faculty will actively participate in professional, university, college, or program committees or task forces.
  4. Faculty will actively participate in a pro bono physical therapy service.

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