The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program recently submitted the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM) is another step closer to reality as the Application for Candidacy was successfully submitted and the program is now eligible for further review. According to Dr. Phillip Palmer, professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, candidacy reviewers will conduct a site visit in January.
In addition, the admissions process is moving forward with the admissions committee meeting on a regular basis to review applications, interview candidates and offer seats to the inaugural class members who will begin their studies in June 2018 pending accreditation approval.
The three-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program is being established at GA-PCOM in response to a national need for physical therapists, especially in the Southeast. The curriculum includes both coursework and experiential training in a variety of settings which effectively trains students in critical thinking and evidence-based practices.
With highly experienced faculty members, both in physical therapy practice and education, the program provides a wellness orientation and opportunities to practice and serve in community settings. Along with the doctoral degree, graduates will have a strong foundation in ergonomics and wellness training.
Construction of the 12,000-square-foot physical therapy education center is well underway with completion expected in April 2018. In addition to the center, students will have access to GA-PCOM's Simulation Center to practice their skills on patient actors, and an anatomy lab where they will learn applied anatomy.
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
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