Fellowship in Optimal Aging Doctoral Certificate

ELIGIBILITY

• U.S. licensed physical therapists with an entry-level Physical Therapy degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program are eligible to apply to the Fellowship program. Applicants that are not currently DPT prepared will need to consult with the program coordinator to determine their readiness for the program and may need to complete modules prior to starting the program. This is determined on an individual basis.
• Evidence of current and valid physical therapy licensure in the United States.
• Evidence of current American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) membership.
• One and a half years of experience in geriatric practice.
• Currently engaged in clinical practice in specialty practice area (thus board eligible for APTA Clinical Specialist Certification). Students must achieve clinical specialization status prior to graduation in any area other than Pediatrics.
• Evidence of commitment to advanced geriatric practice, clinical research, and mentoring of physical therapy students.
• Eligibility for the Fellowship program is pending the successful completion of a criminal background check. For a complete list of Disqualifying Offenses, click here.
• If English is not your native/first language, you must meet the following language proficiency requirement:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) — Internet-based: Minimum score of 82 (24 Writing, 20 Speaking, 22 Reading, 16 Listening) on the TOEFL.
  • TOEFL — Computer-based: Minimum score of 213
  • Regis University's TOEFL code is 4656.

RANKING

Admission to the Fellowship in Optimal Aging program is granted on a competitive basis.

• Submit a completed online application form.
• Submission of official transcript directly to Regis University indicating successful completion of an entry-level Physical Therapy degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program. If you earned your PT degree at Regis University, you do not need to request a transcript. Transcripts must be official. Official transcripts can be mailed or sent electronically. Regis accepts electronic transcripts from the following services: Scrip-Safe, Docufide, Avow Systems.
  • Submit mailed transcripts to:
    Regis University
    Academic Records
    3333 Regis Blvd. A-8
    Denver, CO 80221-1099
  • Submit electronic transcripts to sendtranscripttoRU@regis.edu.
• Submit two recommendation forms. Select professional and academic references that can address your academic, professional, and leadership potential. To ensure consistency of application review, we ask that additional narratives not be included. The recommendation forms provided must be used.
• Submit a one-page essay (typewritten, double-spaced) that addresses the essay question in the application. Instructions are given when you reach the essay portion of the online application.
• Submit a copy of your physical therapy license from the state in which you currently live and actively practice physical therapy.
• Submit a curriculum vitae (CV). The CV should include detailed information about post-professional course work (university, CME, etc.). A brief description of the contact hours, course content, and course instructor should be provided.
• Submit a nonrefundable $75.00 application fee. Instructions are given when you complete the payment portion of the online application.
  • Direct all written materials and inquiries to:
    Regis University
    RHCHP Office of Admissions & Student Operations, Mail-Code G-9
    3333 Regis Blvd
    Denver, CO 80221-1099
    Contact: 303.458.4344
    Fax: 303.964.5534
    Email: dpt@regis.edu

General Fellowship FAQs

What is a Fellowship?
A post-professional planned learning experience in a focused area of clinical practice, education, or research (not infrequently post-professional or for post-residency prepared, or board-certified therapists).

What is the mission and philosophy of the program?
The Fellowship programs at Regis University are dedicated to providing a values-centered education within the Jesuit Catholic tradition. The programs are designed to produce graduates who are leaders in the areas of teaching, research, and the practice of manual or geriatric physical therapy. The Fellowship graduates will be grounded in an evidence-based practice model and experts at integrating evidence into the daily practice of physical therapy.
The Goals of the Fellowship Programs are to:

• Provide a cutting edge educational environment that integrates state of the art learning tools with advanced professional clinical practice.
• Admit and develop physical therapists that value the Jesuit tradition of service to others and are committed to ethical professional practice.
• Attract and support physical therapy educators who model professional behavior, excel in teaching, contribute to the physical therapy profession, and support the fellowship students in their reflection of "how ought we to live."
• Develop leaders in education, research, and practice who assume leadership roles in the APTA.

Do applicants to the Fellowship options have to be doctorally prepared?
No. The Fellowship options are post professional options for US licensed physical therapists. Students that are not doctorally prepared will need to consult with the program Director to determine their readiness for the program and may need to complete online modules prior to starting the program. This is determined on an individual basis.

What are virtual rounds?
Recent developments in educational technology now allows for more meaningful online collaboration. Using special online collaboration tools it is now possible for individuals to interact in real-time with people in different locations. Therefore, Fellows in the program will interact in “virtual rounds” with other Fellows in training and Fellowship mentors.

Where are the one-on-one supervision clinical sites?
There are a number of clinical sites throughout the country who have agreed to work with Fellows in our programs. It is the responsibility of the Fellows in training to arrange state licensure, travel, accommodations, etc., when engaged in practice at these facilities. Fellows in training who wish to arrange one-on-one supervision with new potential Fellowship Mentors are encouraged to work with the program to establish a formal relationship with our program.

What is the cost of the Fellowship program?
The current per semester hour price for the Fall 2013-Summer 2014 school year is $525; therefore the cost of a 3-semester hour course is $1,575. The total estimated cost of tuition for the 18 semester hour program is $9450. Tuition is billed per course, not as a lump sum. Addtional estimated expenses include travel to Denver for weekend intensives (2-3 times), and books ($200), cost for APTA certification if not currently a certified specialist, membership in APTA.

Do I receive a degree from the Fellowship Programs?
Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, the graduate will receive a Regis University Academic Certificate that will be recorded on an official University transcript.

Is the Fellowship in Optimal Aging Program Credentialed with the APTA?
The Fellowship in Optimal Aging is the first of its kind and is currently an applicant for APTA credentialing.

What are the one-on-one practice supervision hour requirements of the Fellowship?
A minimum of 40 clinical practice hours must be under direct clinical supervision of a Fellowship Mentor. Clinical supervision is defined as on-site, one-on-one instructor supervision of the Fellow in training while actively engaged in patient/client management. The Fellow in training must serve as the primary clinician responsible for the patient’s care.

Do I have to be GCS certified to apply?
No. The combination of coursework and clinical learning in this option will prepare the fellow to sit for the GCS exam. In addition it will provide application to the didactic training that a person just studying and preparing for the GCS may not have. All fellowship students need to have achieved clinical specialist status prior to graduation. This can be in any area of specialization except Pediatrics. It is not required before acceptance into the fellowship program, but applicants who do not have specialist status should be able to show evidence that they will be able to attain this by completion of the program

How much travel is involved in completing the Fellowship in Optimal Aging program?
The Fellows in training generally spend two or three weekends at our beautiful campus located in Denver, Colorado. Additional weekends may be required for practical examinations. Travel involved in the program includes weekend intensives associated with the management courses, practical exams, and travel related to the 40 hours of one-on-one clinical practice under the direct supervision of a Fellow.

What are the core courses in the Fellowship in Optimal Aging Program?
The core courses total 18 semester hours:

• DPT 751T Management of Lumbopelvic Disorders (3 SH)
• DPT 754T Management of Neurological Disorders (3 SH)
• DPT 755T Management of Lower Extremity Disorders (3 SH)
• DPT 757T Current Concepts in Geriatrics (3 SH)
• DPT 758T Health & Wellness in Aging Populations (3 SH)
• DPT 791T Clinical Mentorship (3 SH)