Are you ready?

Then prepare yourself for a career in one of the most in-demand health professions!

Physical therapy is a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, identify, assess, correct, or alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunctions. Physical therapy encompasses areas of specialized competence and includes the development of new principles and applications to meet existing and emerging health needs more effectively. Other professional activities that serve the purpose of physical therapy are research, education, consultation, and administration.

The three-year, doctoral degree program provides entry-level professional education in physical therapy. It begins with Gross Anatomy and Kinesiology in the summer. Students who possess a bachelor’s degree and the required prerequisites can apply directly to the doctoral program contingent on space availability. The program was granted full accreditation status from the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in November 2000. For information on the combined Bachelor of Science in Life Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy, see the NYIT Undergraduate Catalog, Department of Life Sciences.

Welcome Message from Dr. Karen Friel
Chairperson, Department of Physical Therapy

Welcome to  NYIT's Department of Physical Therapy. We graduated our first class of physical therapists in 2000, and since then, have continued to serve the educational needs of physical therapy students.

The guiding principles of the program reflect current practice trends, ethical standards, the need for evidence-based practice, and the development of a well-rounded practitioner. The Vision Statement of the American Physical Therapy Association states: "By 2020, physical therapy will be provided by physical therapists who are doctors of physical therapy, recognized by consumers and other health care professionals as the practitioners of choice to whom consumers have direct access for the diagnosis of, interventions for, and prevention of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities related to movement, function and health."

NYIT’s program encompasses that vision fully and strives to meet the goal of excellence expected of physical therapy education. Our graduates obtain jobs of their choice upon graduation and are viewed as highly-skilled practitioners.

We believe in the pursuit of evidence-based practice, and thus, as a faculty, believe in the importance of research and the contribution of scholarly findings to the body of literature. All of our faculty are doctorally prepared, have published extensively in peer-reviewed literature, and are actively engaged in continuing research. We have a well-rounded faculty whose areas of expertise fully meet the needs of the physical therapy student.

Please contact us for further information, so we can help you begin your journey to becoming another successful NYIT DPT graduate.

Sincerely,
Karen Friel, PT, DHS
Associate Professor and Chairperson
Department of Physical Therapy