Department of Physical Therapy

Why Choose the UMES Doctor of Physical Therapy Program?

Affordable Tuition, Curriculum, Community Outreach, Program Outcomes, and more as described below:

Tuition

Curriculum

  • Student-centered learning environment
  • The clinical experiences, both part-time and full-time, are integrated into the classroom experiences. Clinical sites are numerus and varied. The clinical experience include:
    • Three semesters of practicums (part-time clinical experiences)
    • Four affiliations (full-time clinical experiences) are interspersed throughout the program: Affiliation I – winter semester of the 2nd year, Affiliation II-late fall semester of the 3rd year, Affiliations III and IV – summer of the 3rd year.
  • Evidence-Based Curriculum
    The curriculum is infused with current physical therapy evidence.  Students become comfortable with reading and applying research evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy.
  • Independent Study Credits
    The independent study offers a means for students to pursue both academic and clinical interests beyond the scope of course work in the program under the direction of a faculty advisor.  Click here for a list of sample Independent Studies.
  • Student Research Projects
    Students successfully complete a Research Project with a group and under the advisement of a faculty member. The students present their research findings at the Annual Regional Graduate Studies Research Symposium in the spring of the 3rd year of the program.

Graduate and Alumni Outcomes

  • Outstanding ultimate licensure exam pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Click here for student outcomes.
  • Graduates are well prepared for clinical practice.
  • Graduates get jobs!
    100% employment rate within six months of passing the licensure examination! 
  • Alumni are Life-long Learners!
    Many alumni are Certified Clinical Specialists by The American Board of  Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS) in the areas of orthopedics, sports, neurology, geriatrics, and pediatrics.  Alumni have received other certifications in areas related to physical therapy.   

Faculty

  • Dedicated and Diligent Team of Faculty
    Faculty work as a team and are committed to teaching and learning.  Faculty are accessible to the students.
  • Clinical Specialists
    Faculty are certified clinical specialists in Orthopaedics, Geriatrics, and Neurology.
  • Expert Adjunct Faculty
    PTs, MDs, and other health care professionals who are experts in their fields passionately share their wealth of knowledge and skills with our students.

Teaching

  • Small Class Size and Individual Guidance
    Maximum class size is approximately 34.  For many laboratory sessions, the class is split in half.
    Ideal Student-Faculty Ratio which facilitates optimal hands-on learning and early clinical problem solving.
  • Faculty strive to provide an optimal learning environment
    Students participate in a variety of hands-on, active, and collaborative learning activities.
  • Unique Learning Opportunities
    The faculty strive to provide multiple unique learning opportunities throughout the curriculum.  Click here to learn more.

Facilities

  • State-of-the Art Laboratories and Teaching Facilities
    The Department of Physical Therapy is located in the recently built state-of-the-art Hazel Hall (completed in 2005).  Teaching and laboratories spaces are newly equipped including technologically advanced audiovisual equipment and wireless internet. 

Research

Location

  • Located on the beautiful UMES campus in rural Princess Anne, Maryland, 13 miles south of the city of Salisbury.
  • Located only 45 minutes from the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island, Maryland and approximately three hours from Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and Norfolk, VA.
  • Ideal setting for serious graduate study!
  • Please come visit!