��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� January
18-19, 2001
NOTICE OF INTENT���������� Approval of Proposal to Add an
Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Degree to the Present Entry-Level
Master of Science Degree in Physical Therapy; The University of
Montana-Missoula
THAT:����������������������������������� The
Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes The University of
Montana-Missoula to add an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
degree.�� Newly adopted accreditation
criteria and expansion of the science and practice of physical therapy call for
an expansion of the current physical therapy curriculum.� The Master of Science Degree in Physical
Therapy is already 83 credits which exceeds the usual degree requirements for a
master�s degree.� The DPT degree would
allow students to choose to continue their education for an additional
year.� These students would complete 110
credits, appropriate for a professional doctorate degree.
EXPLANATION:����������������� The
University of Montana presently is the only institution of higher education
offering professional preparation for physical therapy in the State of
Montana.� Expanded accreditation
criteria and physical therapy practice make an increase of the current program
desirable.� The proposed DPT program of
110 credits is appropriate for a professional doctorate degree.� The Vision Statement of the American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA) states that physical therapists should be
educated at the doctoral level.� The DPT
degree is becoming the expected degree for entry-level physical therapists
within the United States and particularly the Western U.S.� Approximately 60 percent of the physical
therapy programs within the Western U.S. have converted or are converting to
the DPT degree.� Montana is losing many
highly qualified students who are attending other out-of-state programs to
receive this degree.� Montana residents
should be able to obtain this degree within the State.� However, there are many pre-physical therapy
students currently enrolled within the Montana University System.� Adding a year to the professional program
may be a cost and time burden to some of these students.� Therefore, the Physical Therapy faculty is
proposing a choice for the next four years in which students could complete the
entry-level program in two plus years if they wish (current program), or they could
continue for an additional year to receive the DPT degree.
The completed signature page resides on file at the
President�s Office, The University of Montana-Missoula.