For DPT programs that are less than 3 years...

[bhatiaa1]

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For DPT programs that are less than 3 years (San Augustine, U Pacific, etc.), is it possible to spread out the curriculum so that it is a 3 year program?

I just don't know if I like the idea of loading up in hours or not having a good break to finish earlier... I would like to keep my sanity.

 

[goyo1010]

I'm not sure if this is applicable to ALL PT schools, but I do believe you cannot do this. The DPT curriculum is stringently structured and follows a predefined plan of coursework. Everyone takes what they are required to take in a specific semester, and this is determined by the department. You won't get to pick your classes or how many hours you will be taking--they're already decided for you.

So a 2.5 year program's coursework cannot be attenuated to 3 years. This is what I know of the schools that I looked into before applying last year. They don't like messing with the curriculum due to CAPTE accreditation or something.

For DPT programs that are less than 3 years (San Augustine, U Pacific, etc.), is it possible to spread out the curriculum so that it is a 3 year program?

I just don't know if I like the idea of loading up in hours or not having a good break to finish earlier... I would like to keep my sanity.

 

[markelmarcel]

goyo is right, the programs are pre-structured so you take what you are told to take, when you are told to take it.

The only way "stretching it out" happens if if you do not pass a class and then you h ave to wait until the next year when the course is offered again.

 

[bhatiaa1]

Thank you for the replies. I was thinking that was the case.

Now I wonder if the earlier graduation is based on more hours per semester or no breaks....

 

[markelmarcel]

Now I wonder if the earlier graduation is based on more hours per semester or no breaks....

I know in the case of the school I'll be attending it's 2.5 instead of 3 because it has a modified problem-based learning cirriculum, so instead of having seperate courses for a number of classes, they combine all the "benchmarks" they want you to meet within the problem-based learning courses. Thus, around the same number of credits, but less time because things are grouped together. (My program has 105 credits and a girlfriend of mine is at a seperate uni that's 3 years will have 115 credits. She has been taking 18 credits per semester and I will only be taking 14 my first 2 semesters, although I do have one class each semester that is 5-7 credits itself)

 

[bhatiaa1]

I know in the case of the school I'll be attending it's 2.5 instead of 3 because it has a modified problem-based learning cirriculum, so instead of having seperate courses for a number of classes, they combine all the "benchmarks" they want you to meet within the problem-based learning courses. Thus, around the same number of credits, but less time because things are grouped together. (My program has 105 credits and a girlfriend of mine is at a seperate uni that's 3 years will have 115 credits. She has been taking 18 credits per semester and I will only be taking 14 my first 2 semesters, although I do have one class each semester that is 5-7 credits itself)

That's good to know. Definitely an important thing to look into and evaluate when deciding on a school.

Which school are you going to?

 

[markelmarcel]

That's good to know. Definitely an important thing to look into and evaluate when deciding on a school.

Which school are you going to?

Absolutely, and if you go problem-based learning (PBL) you have to really decide if you feel you can learn that way, because it will be a more difficult way to learn, you have to be very active and responsible. My first degree is in education so I learned a lot about PBL and how to implement it, so it made me more comfortable choosing a school that utilizes it to some extent. I'm looking forward to the mix of PBL and traditional lecture, hopefully I will like it as much as I think I will! - and I'm attending Chatham University, it's a small, private school in Pittsburgh.