WVU :: School of Medicine :: Physical Therapy

Division of Physical Therapy

About Us

History

The WVU Physical Therapy Program was established in 1970 as a Division of the Department of Neurology in the School of Medicine (SOM). For 26 years the Division offered a Bachelor of Science degree. In the late 1990’s the program joined with the Divisions of Exercise Physiology and Occupational Therapy to form the Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science, in the SOM. During this period the program transitioned to a Master of Physical Therapy degree (MPT). In 2005, the Division once again responded to national changes in the Physical Therapy profession by transitioning to the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) with the first doctoral class graduating in 2008. The Division has maintained continued accreditation status over the 37 years of existence. To date, the Division has graduated over 800 physical therapists.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

A quality physical therapy education begins with a well trained, diverse, and experienced faculty who are able to integrate basic science with real-life clinical experience. The core faculty consists of 9 dedicated physical therapists (7 hold a doctoral degree), 3 exceptional adjunct faculty, and 1 faculty member who has a dual appointment in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. The faculty possess expertise in many aspects of the basic sciences including: neurology, anatomy, physiology, and exercise science. The faculty also have clinical expertise and/or clinical specialization in hand therapy, neurology, orthopedics, sports medicine, cardiopulmonary PT, geriatrics, women’s health, pediatrics, adult rehabilitation, and acute care. All core faculty maintain clinical practice in their area of expertise as part of a faculty group practice or through affiliation with local clinics and hospitals. Additionally, all core faculty are actively engaged in clinical research and/or service within the American Physical Therapy Association.

The WVU Physical Therapy program is dedicated to the achievement of high standards in student outcomes including board pass rate, student retention and graduation, clinical performance scores, professionalism, employer satisfaction, and job placement. To ensure that students are prepared for the National Board Examination, second-year students take comprehensive written and practical examinations that simulate the Board examination and undergo a review course prior to graduation. The WVU first-attempt Board pass rate for 2006 and 2007 graduates was 93%, which is higher than the national average of 88%.

Benefits of a WVU Physical Therapy Education

Full gross anatomy lab (hands-on dissection)
School of Medicine resources
Qualified and experienced faculty
Diverse clinical education affiliations
Excellent student outcomes
Small class size (30-32 students)
Faculty maintain clinical practice
Exceptional classmates (average admission GPA 3.6)
Affordable tuition
A 37 year tradition of excellence in PT education
National alumni network of over 800 graduates