Physical therapists are uniquely qualified practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of impairments or limitations related to movement, function, and health. ATSU physical therapy department faculty members and staff are committed to elevating the physical therapy profession and promoting the health of society by educating Doctor of Physical Therapy students in a supportive learning environment centered in whole person healthcare. The result is a progressive curriculum encompassing postprofessional education opportunities for practicing clinicians, community partnerships, scholarly work focused on improving the human condition, and advocacy that promotes access to physical therapy services.
ATSU-ASHS’ physical therapy programs are always looking for new, highly qualified, high-quality training sites. If you know of a facility interested in providing full-time or integrated clinical education experiences for student physical therapists, please contact the program at 480.219.6162.
As ATSU physical therapy department’s flagship program, the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy is designed for the individual without a physical therapy degree. This three-year program develops high quality practitioners who go on to advance the profession and enhance community health. Offered in Mesa, Arizona, the program requires full-time attendance and includes supervised clinical internships. Courses are designed with emphasis on both a strong academic foundation and clinical practice. Enrollment is limited to 62-64 students per class. Class section size allows faculty and staff to work closely with students to help them develop clinical problem-solving skills necessary for optimum patient care.
Available 100 percent online, the postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is customized to the unique needs of each practicing professional, offering maximum flexibility and a full team of support for those who desire to maintain their relevancy while they continue practicing in physical therapy. Curriculum plans are personalized and student-centric, based on one-on-one assessments of personal experience. Coursework is based on the APTA’s preferred curricular guide, including but not limited to: pharmacology, radiology, differential diagnosis and evidence-based practice. See accreditation.
The online Postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy Non-Degree program offers courses for international physical therapists looking to complete their U.S. licensure requirements.
This online residency program is designed for practitioners who want to advance their career by elevating their clinical skills and knowledge from a general practitioner to that of a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy. Applying a base of strong clinical reasoning to maximize patient care, the postprofessional curriculum focuses on one-on-one patient mentoring with an emphasis on whole person healthcare. Upon completion of the residency program, the resident will be prepared to take the Orthopedic Board Certification exam with the American Physical Therapy Association and practice patient-centered, evidence-based orthopedic physical therapy at the competence level of an orthopedic clinical specialist. See accreditation.
This online, postprofessional program is aimed at elevating the clinical skills and knowledge from a general practitioner to that of a clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy. Operating as a a collaborative model with an emphasis on strong clinical reasoning skills, the Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program provides expert clinical mentoring, personal engagement with ATSU faculty and NCS exam preparation. Residents will gain advanced critical thinking mastery and become expert clinicians who practice evidence-based, whole-person healthcare. See accreditation.
The ATSU physical therapy department enhances physical therapy professionals’ lifelong learning and elevates the profession of physical therapy through quality continuing education opportunities designed to fulfill their potential throughout their careers, and ultimately impact patient care and wellbeing. A variety of accredited CEUs are offered to improve professional knowledge and skills, foster a positive impact on patient outcomes, glean new information, and develop an interdisciplinary, healthcare team approach to treating patients and improving community/population health through the development and implementation of cost-effective, evidence-based education programs. Check regularly for new schedules.
Physical therapists make a huge difference every day. Through a commitment to lifelong learning, PTs enhance their patient care and professional standing to take on new leadership roles, start new practices, or add new skills to their daily clinical routine. Browse stories from seasoned PTs and become inspired with examples of how advanced providers with a doctorate implement practical solutions to improve care for movement dysfunction, rehabilitation, and PT education. Learn from PTs who are leaders in clinical practice, academia, and the industry to improve whole person, patient-centered care. Find out why PTs love ATSU's DPT program for their post-professional education. Browse PT Life Moments.
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Faculty members of the ATSU physical therapy department are consistently acknowledged for their personal interactions and accessibility that create a supportive learning environment. Each faculty member has expertise in their area of teaching, and involves students in both their scholarly work and community service activities.
All department core faculty are engaged in scholarly activities related to improving the human condition and related to best practices for physical therapy education. Faculty members have full access to a well-equipped research laboratory and encourage students to be directly involved with their research projects. Many department research publications and national presentations include students and graduates as co-authors. While faculty maintain their defined research agendas, they also desire to serve as mentors so students can become confident clinician scientists.
We are proud to showcase our student Capstone Research Projects. Our capstone projects are the culmination of a 2-year research project. The projects have been formatted as an ePoster which is delivered to a live audience in the spring of each year and archived so that a wider audience can access relevant project information. Please take a look at our students' scholarship here.
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ATSU-ASHS Physical Therapy Department proudly offers continuing education to all physical therapy practitioners. We ensure excellence in the CE products offered through faculty review of every course. ATSU Physical Therapy Department is recognized by the Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy to provide category A continuing education courses.
A.T. Still University’s Continuing Education department provides support for the University’s schools, graduates and the professional community to fulfill their potential throughout their careers and ultimately impact patient care and well-being. The Continuing Education department serves to improve professional knowledge and skills; fosters a positive impact on patient outcomes; exposes clinicians to new information; and develops an interdisciplinary, healthcare team approach to treating patients and improving community/population health through the development and implementation of cost-effective, evidence-based education programs.