Overview

Education

To graduate highly competent self-reflective physical therapists that practice evidence-based physical therapy, who are patient advocates and leaders in the community and the profession, and who prepared to treat a diverse population of clients and pursue professional development opportunities.

Research

To advance physical therapy practice and education through development and application of evidence-based practice and the pursuit of clinical, educational and translational research.

Service

To develop and deliver innovative models of physical therapy practice to serve the health needs of diverse patient populations locally and globally, to provide students opportunity to apply education to practice, and set the standards of practice for the profession.

Education

Upon completion of the Thomas Jefferson University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, our graduates will be able to:

1. Implement evidence informed care in meeting patients, clients, and communities diverse needs
2. Demonstrate reflective decision making
3. Demonstrate competent performance of cognitive, psychomotor, affective skills in a professional manner
4. Demonstrate interprofessional competence as defined by Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies
5. Practice in a manner consistent with the APTA code of ethics
6. Engagement in personal and professional development opportunities
7. Engage in leadership and advocacy roles in the profession
8. Engage in assessing and addressing the complex needs of communities to promote transformation of community health by optimizing movement

Faculty in the Physical Therapy Program:

1. Foster excellence and engagement in teaching, scholarship, and service to the department, college, university, and community through application and use of best pedagogical and andragogical practices
2. Advance physical therapy practice and education through development and application of evidence-informed practice and the pursuit of clinical, educational, and translational research​

Research

Each core faculty member maintains an active scholarly agenda and disseminates their work in peer-reviewed venues. 

Service

Faculty engage in leadership and advocacy in diverse patient and/or professional environments.

Our philosophy guides our educational choices. In the Physical Therapy (PT) Department at Thomas Jeferson University, the faculty believe that:

• Engaging Students in the learning process facilitates integration and retention of knowledge.
• Teaching and learning are essential components of physical therapy practice. 
• Engaging in reflection and integration of feedback as students fosters their development as reflective practitioners and life-long learners.
• Affective learning can be influenced through interaction with the faculty as role models.
• Engaging in leadership and advocacy roles and interacting with diverse populations are important to develop professionalism.
• Evidence-based practice is essential to provide contemporary, quality patient/ client centered care.
• A foundation of basic sciences and theories within the context of human movement is essential for the development of clinical reasoning in physical therapy practice.
• An understanding of the body systems is critical to physical therapy practice.
• Effective patient care relies on a holistic approach that integrates information about patients’ diverse needs and perspectives.
• Understanding the importance of health equity is essential to meet the needs of diverse populations. 

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a year-round, three-year program comprised of classroom, laboratory, exams, and clinical education rotation. The tuition for our 2024 graduate class of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is reflected as an overall education cost of $113,384 (two payments per year throughout the three-year program). Fees associated with tuition include IS&T, library, and departmental fees that are charged annually and total $4,896 ($1,632/year). The Fact Sheet contains additional institutional information. For questions, contact Financial.Aid@jefferson.edu