Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Gannon University in Erie, PA, is a health care profession that primarily focuses on the preservation, development, and restoration of optimal human movement and 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.

Program Overview

Physical therapists work with individuals of all ages who demonstrate movement dysfunction, or the potential for such dysfunction, of the neurological, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and cardiovascular and pulmonary 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.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Gannon University in Erie, PA is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

Employment Outlook

Employment opportunities for physical therapists remain robust. The need for PT's is expected to remain strong into the foreseeable future as the US population ages, chronic conditions increase, and the demand for physical therapy services grows. The Bureau of Labor suggests that with changes in restrictions on reimbursement from third party payers, there will be an increase in demand for service. Improvements in medical technology will also increase the manner in which PT's are able to provide service to individuals with movement dysfunction.

Student Learning Outcomes

Our graduate students will be competent in patient/client centered care management for body functions, activity and participation related to movement, function and health. Our graduates will demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior in all aspects of the educational, community and clinical setting. Our graduates will incorporate evidence based practice in clinical decision making. Our graduates will be skilled in educating, collaborating, and communicating with patients/clients, caregivers, colleagues, payers and policy makers.

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Cumulative prerequisite course quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
• Grades below a C are not acceptable
• Overall undergraduate QPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
• Applicant demonstrates the ethical, personal and professional qualities to fulfill the role of the physical therapist as determined by review of the applicant's references
• Application review begins in the fall; application deadline January 15th
• Qualified applicants will be called for an informational session
• TOEFL Minimum score of 89 total for all applicants from non-English speaking countries
  • Writing - 24
  • Speaking - 26
  • Reading comprehension - 21
  • Listening comprehension - 18
• Meet Doctor of Physical Therapy Essential Functions: physical, emotional, intellectual, and communication standards

Prerequisites

• Biology 2 semesters (200 or 300 level Human Anatomy and Physiology courses do not meet this prerequisite)
• Chemistry 2 semesters
• Psychology 1 semester (200 level behavioral/social science course)
• Statistics 1 semester
• Human Anatomy with Lab 1 semester (human gross anatomy recommended; course must be at 200 or 300 level at four year degree granting institution)
• Human Physiology with Lab 1 semester
• Exercise Physiology (lab recommended) 1 semester
• Physics with Lab 2 semesters
• Prerequisites must be completed within five years preceding entrance to the graduate program

Curriculum Highlights

The Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in physical therapy. The curriculum includes:

• Foundations in Pathology and Medical Management
• Applied Anatomy
• Musculoskeletal Movement Dysfunction of Extremities
• Health Care Systems & Policy
• Foundations in Human Movement
• Musculoskeletal Movement Dysfunction of the Spine
• Clinical Experience
• Essentials of PT Practice
• Evidence Based Practice
• Community Health Initiative
• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Movement Dysfunction
• Neuromuscular Movement Dysfunction
• Multi-System Movement Dysfunction
• Clinical Synthesis
• Electives

Program Outcomes

• Competent in patient/client centered care management for body functions, activity and participation related to movement, function and health
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical behavior in all aspects of the educational, community and clinical setting
• Incorporate evidence based practice in clinical decision making
• Skilled in educating, collaborating, and communicating with patients/clients, caregivers, colleagues, payers and policy makers

Faculty

The faculty of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Gannon University are experienced clinicians and educators who are dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive education in physical therapy. The faculty include:

• Ashley Greenthaner, Assistant Teaching Professor and Physical Therapy Program Coordinator
• Chelsea Lasky-McFarlin, Assistant Teaching Professor
• Victoria Lavery, Assistant Teaching Professor and Clinical Coordinator
• Constance Lewis, Assistant Teaching Professor and Co-Director of Clinical Education
• Courtney Roca, Assistant Professor and Interim Chair
• Zachary Schmucker, Assistant Teaching Professor
• Kristen Snarski, Associate Professor and Interim Associate Director
• Jonathan Ulrich, Assistant Professor
• Catherine Alfery-Darling, Adjunct Faculty
• Cora Emery, Adjunct Faculty
• Carolyn Galleher, Adjunct Faculty
• Thomas Galleher, Adjunct Faculty
• Brian Gustafson, Adjunct Faculty
• Beth Gustafson, Adjunct Faculty
• Benjamin Homan, Adjunct Faculty
• Zachary Mattern, Adjunct Faculty
• Rachel Mauro, Adjunct Faculty
• Rebecca Nick-Dart, Adjunct Faculty
• Dominic Rios, Adjunct Faculty
• David Russo, Adjunct Faculty
• Elizabeth Salem, Adjunct Faculty
• Donna Skelly, Adjunct Faculty
• Kristin Stewart, Adjunct Faculty
• Amanda Sweeney, Adjunct Faculty
• Kaylee Troyer, Adjunct Faculty
• James Washek, Adjunct Faculty
• Kanada Weigt, Adjunct Faculty
• Shannon Will, Adjunct Faculty
• Janelle Woodruff, Adjunct Faculty
• Jessica Wrigley, Adjunct Faculty

Financial Aid

All applicants to the DPT program at the Erie, Pennsylvania campus for the Fall 2024 semester will be automatically considered for financial aid awards. Admitted students will qualify for awards up to $13,000 per year (renewable for three years).