School of Physical Therapy
Philosophy & Goals

The faculty of the School of Physical Therapy believe that the physical therapy profession integrates knowledge from the sciences and humanities to develop, enhance, maintain, and restore movement function and prevent dysfunction.

A physical therapist is an applied scientist who acts as a primary entry point into the health care system for purposes of evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, referral, and development of physical therapy services. When planning services, physical therapists take into consideration diversity and a patient’s, or their legal representative’s, right to participate to the full extent of their abilities in making health care decisions.

Physical therapists have a professional responsibility to assess the profession critically, to challenge theories and concepts underlying physical therapy practice patterns and to examine consequences of decisions and actions. Other responsibilities include fundamental fairness in all transactions, informing other health care practitioners and the public of the availability and potential value of physical therapy practice and providing learning opportunities for future members of the profession.

The goal of the School of Physical Therapy is to admit and develop students who are:

• Resourceful
• Sensitive to diversity
• Representative of the populations served
• Accepting of intellectual differences
• Intellectually curious
• Effective interpersonal communicators
• Challenged by ambiguity
• Willing to clarify impact of personal values
• Responsible for learning based on self direction
• Able to use self-assessment in the learning process

The School of Physical Therapy academic programs are designed to support and develop students’ leadership, knowledge and decision-making in professional practice.

The Regis University Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate is prepared to practice in primary care, communicate with a variety of audiences and contribute to the advancement of the profession. Our graduates are leaders prepared to collaborate in a dynamic health care environment. They are lifelong learners committed to community service and advocates for the public welfare. Our students and faculty continue to strive and reflect on the fundamental Jesuit question “how out we to live” and contribute to their profession, their communities and the common good.

The School of Physical Therapy goals, which are based on our philosophy, are to:

• Provide an educational environment in which principles that are fundamental to Jesuit tradition are integrated with ethical professional practice.
• Admit and develop students who are willing to clarify impact of their personal values and be supporters of the mission and objectives of the University, the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professionals and the School of Physical Therapy.
• Attract and support educators who model professional behavior, excel in teaching, contribute to their profession, and support students in their reflection of "how ought we to live."
• Prepare graduates who achieve the educational outcomes of the Program.
• Develop graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to act creatively in a constantly changing health care environment.
• Develop leaders who can assume multiple roles that have a positive impact on society and the profession.
• Promote graduates who are committed to a life of service that contributes to the common good.
• Inspire life-long learners who integrate experience and knowledge in their appreciation of the individual within diverse cultures and societies.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Clinical Experience

To enter the field of physical therapy with a competitive edge, graduates need to be confident, autonomous practitioners. At Regis University, in addition to your outstanding education in the classroom, you will also participate in 38 weeks of clinical experience. You will complete an initial 6 week clinical rotation in the second year of the program, followed by an 8 week experience; and, you will end the program by completing two consecutive 12 week clinical rotations. The clinical component of the program takes place off campus in quality clinical settings across the country in three different concentration areas: musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and complex systems. To enhance your learning experience, students must complete one clinical session outside of Colorado, and one experience in a rural setting.

What makes Regis University’s clinical experience unique? We utilize our Clinical Educator Scholar Program, and our network of Transition DPT and Manual Therapy Fellowship Alumni. This program allows us to foster a close relationship with our clinical faculty to provide learning experiences for you that are aligned with our curriculum and mission.

Another unique aspect of our program may allow you the opportunity to complete alternate clinical experiences in specialized areas of practice, including a select number of international opportunities. Examples of alternative experiences include women’s health, APTA’s Political Action Committee, orthotics, hippotherapy and more. Selections vary each year but every effort is made to work with you to find specialized areas of practice to meet your interests. Our international opportunities have included trips to the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Ethiopia. Alternative experience availability varies year to year and is not guaranteed, but many students are able to take advantage of these exciting and often life changing opportunities. In most cases, the alternate experience is a 2 to 4 week session that replaces a portion of the 12 week session at the end of the program.

Selection for clinical rotations occurs approximately six months prior to each clinical. You will be provided a list of available sites and have access to detailed information regarding the site, including past student feedback. Final clinical assignments are determined by a computerized selection process based on your ranking and the internal ranking of sites.

During clinical rotations you will also participate in online coursework and discussions with academic faculty to enhance your hands-on experience. This allows you to stay closely connected to your faculty; and, in collaboration with the clinical instructor on-site, helps integrate knowledge gained from your courses and refine your skills in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, outcomes, and communication with diverse populations.

The clinical education component of the Regis University DPT program is recognized nationally for its contemporary and innovative approach to hands-on education, from the first ever Clinical Education Scholar program, to the continued online course contact with University faculty while on clinical. These experiences all add up to allow you to hit the ground running after graduation!