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Physical Therapy

Transitional Physical Therapy Online

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Admission Requirements : Curriculum Guide : Non-US, Non-Degree Seeking Option : Tuition & Expenses : Financial Assistance : FAQs : WebCT Demo Course : Fact Sheet Acrobat PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who or what is A. T. Still University (ATSU)? What connection does Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) have with Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM)?
  2. Does each class of new enrollees generally fill up each quarter? Are students turned away?
  3. Why do you require the PTET for those without a post-1995 MSPT or MPT?
  4. When performing the curriculum assessment for incoming students, is the PTET score the only factor considered when deciding which courses are required, or is the student's previous master's level curriculum analyzed and taken into account?
  5. How many students do you enroll in the program each year?
  6. How long are the courses? How many courses do you take at one time?
  7. How many total courses are in the curriculum?
  8. What type of course work is used, i.e., papers, projects, quizzes, tests, etc?
  9. How much time will I spend on my courses?
  10. How are skills assessed?
  11. When a student is accepted how is their plan of study and schedule determined? Is there flexibility once the schedule is set?
  12. Can Physical Therapists enroll in single courses without taking the PTET?
  13. Have any of the current students commented on the type or amount of employer assistance they have received?
  14. Is the tuition due in one lump sum or in payment installments?

Answers

  1. Who or what is A. T. Still University (ATSU)? What connection does Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) have with Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM)?
    A.T. Still University is a graduate health professions institution composed of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Health Management (SHM), the Arizona School of Health Sciences, the Arizona School of Dental & Oral Health (ASDOH), and the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA). The University is located on two campuses, with KCOM and SHM located in Kirksville, Missouri, and ASHS, ASDOH, and SOMA located in Mesa, Arizona.

  2. Does each class of new enrollees generally fill up each quarter? Are students turned away?
    ASHS started the TDPT program in September 2002 and was the first completely online TDPT program. Since then, 50-75 students have enrolled each quarter. Maximum enrollment in any single quarter is 80 students. If maximum enrollment is met, students will be offered enrollment beginning the next available quarter. Admission is granted to those students who meet the admission criteria. Several have applied without the necessary grade point, acceptable baccalaureate degree, or U.S. license as a PT and have not been offered acceptance.

  3. Why do you require the PTET for those without a post-1995 MSPT or MPT?
    The Physical Therapist Evaluation Tool (PTET) is used to assist and determine advanced placement in the courses. When you graduate from our program, the transcript shows credit in all 27 courses even though you may have only taken 10-12 of the courses. The "cost" of the PTET is actually tuition for the advance credit courses. If the PTET were not used to organize the professional information, tuition would be closer to $11,000.

  4. When performing the curriculum assessment for incoming students, is the PTET score the only factor considered when deciding which courses are required, or is the student's previous master's level curriculum analyzed and taken into account?
    The PTET is one component of many. Employment, professional activities, formal education, continuing education, and life experiences are all taken into account in determining advance credit decisions and the required Plan of Study.

  5. How many students do you enroll in the program each year?
    We enroll students quarterly (4 times a year). Though we have a capacity of 80 students per quarter, individual courses are normally held to no more than 25 students.

  6. How long are the courses? How many courses do you take at one time?
    Each quarter is made up of two six-week course sessions. Students normally take one course each session, however, some students take two courses a session.

  7. How many total courses are in the curriculum?
    There are 27 courses in the program. The current curriculum guide may be downloaded from the webpage. The PTET is used to give you advanced credit in those courses for which you are determined competent. The most common courses to take are Radiology, Pharmacology, Professional Practice 2, Evidence Based Practice 2, Gender HealthCare, Reimbursement, and perhaps Delivery System courses.

  8. What type of course work is used, i.e., papers, projects, quizzes, tests, etc?
    The course work is guided using WebCT, a web-based courseware program. Depending on the instructor, you will get reading assignments, PowerPoint lectures (some with narration), and written lectures. Assignments include papers, reflective responses to questions posted to a class bulletin board, quizzes, projects, etc. Some courses have group projects, some individual. As with a regular residential curriculum, the teaching style of the instructor will vary in each course. Students are required to have access to a clinical practice site in order to complete assignments in selected courses.

  9. How much time will I spend on my courses?
    Most students spend between 15 and 20 hours a week per course. Three credit courses take more time than two credit courses.

  10. How are skills assessed ?
    Skills are demonstrated in video clips. In instances where specific skills must be assessed, student will videotape their performance and send the tape to the instructor for grading.

  11. When a student is accepted how is their plan of study and schedule determined? Is there flexibility once the schedule is set?
    The admissions committee awards advance credit and determines the required courses. Based on this assessment schedule is created and sent to the student. If a change to the schedule is needed the student may request changes using the appropriate forms.

  12. Can Physical Therapists enroll in single courses without taking the PTET?
    No. At this time enrollment is limited to students in the degree program.

  13. Have any of the current students commented on the type or amount of employer assistance they have received?
    If an employer has a tuition reimbursement program, then the TDPT program qualifies for it. ATSU is regionally accredited by the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. Many other students have been allowed to apply continuing education funds to the program. Since most Plans of Study will cross two calendar years, many students have received almost full reimbursement for the program.

  14. Is the tuition due in one lump sum or in payment installments?
    We request the full tuition or a payment plan be arranged before you start your first class. If the quarterly installment plan is chosen, there is a one-time $175 fee.