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About the Program
Simmons College’s Professional Program in Physical Therapy
is a nationally respected leader in physical therapy education
with a more than 50 year history. The program is an innovative,
integrated, three-year, clinical doctoral program.
Situated in the School for Health Studies, the program offers a
unique interdisciplinary environment that prepares graduates to
meet the challenges of today’s
health care system.
The curriculum emphasizes a problem- based, self-directed
approach to learning, using case studies to integrate basic science
and clinical knowledge and skills, in conjunction with psychosocial,
ethical, and behavioral aspects of patient care. In small group
tutorials, students work closely with individual faculty to explore
information and develop clinical insights and professional behaviors.
Professional practice is a fundamental component
of the curriculum accomplished through integrated clinical experiences
and full-time clinical internships. Program graduates practice in
a variety of health care settings with individuals of all ages.
They demonstrate excellent clinical skills, leadership, and confidence,
and are successful practitioners.
Entering
as a Freshman
For students entering as freshmen, the major extends over a period
of six years. The first three years are devoted to fulfilling requirements
in the necessary basic and social sciences, liberal arts, and electives.
During the final three years students are enrolled in the School
for Health Studies and take courses in the professional curriculum.
At the end of four years, a student receives a B.S. degree. At the
end of the six years, the doctoral degree is awarded. The completion
of the doctoral degree is required to be eligible to take the examination
for licensure and to practice physical therapy.
Academic Requirements
Throughout the six years at Simmons, students in physical therapy
must meet certain academic requirements. These requirements
should be reviewed by the student periodically to ensure that
all appropriate steps are taken toward meeting them. Students
must complete all prerequisite science requirements, foreign
language requirements, math competency, and modes of inquiry
requirements by the end of their third year at Simmons. In order
to matriculate into the professional program, students must
have a 3.00 GPA in the prerequisite science courses at the end
of the junior year. If at any time a student’s
academic work, conduct, or health is unsatisfactory, she may be
required to withdraw from the major. Students may declare the
major in the sophomore or junior year if they have taken the
appropriate prerequisite science courses. Transfer students are
also considered but must complete at least five of the nine prerequisites
at Simmons. Students who are interested in physical therapy and
have not been admitted as freshmen, should make an appointment
to speak to the assistant dean of the Graduate School for Health
Studies. Refer to the School for Health Studies Catalog for further
descriptions of the academic requirements, student responsibilities,
and the professional curriculum.
The Department of Physical Therapy seeks candidates
who are passionate about physical therapy and who have personal
values and beliefs that are consistent with a commitment to quality
of life for individuals seeking care by physical therapists.
Prerequisites
Students entering as freshmen in the fall must take two semesters
each of biology, chemistry, physics, and human anatomy/physiology
(all with laboratory components), as well as two semesters of psychology
and one semester of exercise physiology and statistics during the
first three years in order to qualify for the major in health science
for physical therapy. Thirty hours of work or volunteer experience
in physical therapy or a related field is required. The professional
program begins in July following the junior year and requires a
full-time commitment over a three-year period, including summer
commitments. Clinical experiences are both integrated with the didactic
portion of the curriculum and full time. The program affiliates
with approximately 200 institutions across the country, offering
students a wide variety of clinical settings in which to participate
in the practice of physical therapy.
 Accreditation
The program in physical therapy is accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
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