Summary of Proposed Action SBHE Meeting 2 Oct 2014

Transcription

1 Summary of Proposed Action SBHE Meeting 2 Oct 2014 SUBJECT: Stage 2: UND s Program Termination BS in Physical Therapy (BS) 1. Issue: The University of North Dakota (UND) has submitted a Stage 2 academic request for approval to terminate its BS in Physical Therapy, effective fall of Proposed actions. Recommend approval of The University of North Dakota s (UND s) Stage 2 proposal to terminate its BS in Physical Therapy, effective fall of Background information. UND notes that the BS in Physical Therapy is a non-practicing degree and it is no longer relevant for entry to the nation s workplace as a licensed physical therapist. As of 2003, UND has offered its Doctor of Physical Therapy as the entry level professional degree (A)fter completing 90 University credits and admission to the professional PT program, students are admitted to the UND Graduate School, irrespective of completion of a baccalaureate degree. An earlier request by UND for similar action by the SBHE was submitted in November of 2008, but was not approved in order to permit physical therapy students (to) have an option to obtain a bachelor s degree ; that option now exists for students who would pursue the Bachelor of General Studies with a Major in General Studies in the Health Studies option. For the Cabinet meeting on 10 September 2014, UND has requested change in the title of its M.S. program in General Studies to a program in Educational Studies. It is assumed that if the Chancellor approves that request, then the change would also apply to the option open to students wishing to pursue a bachelor s degree with some coursework associated with physical therapy (e.g., Major in Educational Studies in the Health Studies option). 4. Financial implications. Not applicable. 5. Legal/policy issues. SBHE Policy Program Termination, states that requests to terminate academic programs requires approval of the Board of Higher Education. NDUS Procedure , Program Termination, states in the Academic Actions Summary Table, that the Cabinet shall review the request, and the Chancellor shall make a recommendation to the SBHE for action. 6. Academic issues. None of the NDUS institutions present in person or via phone at the AAC meeting of 5 August 2014 noted any concerns as regards this request. 7. Coordination. AAC voted unanimously on 5 August 2014 to recommend that the Cabinet and Chancellor recommend approval of this Stage 2 academic request at their meeting on 10 September 2014.

2 8. Attachments. The Stage 2 proposal from UND is attached. 9. Contact information. Sonia S. Cowen, Ph.D., Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, NDSU. Ph: / [email protected]. 10. Recommendation of the Chancellor's Cabinet and the SBHE Committee on Academic and Student Affairs. The Chancellor s Cabinet approved this request at its meeting on 10 September The SBHE Committee on Academic and Student Affairs approved this request at its meeting on 11 September

3 UND.edu Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Twamley Hall, Room Centennial Drive Stop 8176 Grand Forks, ND Phone: Fax: July 8, 2014 Sonia Cowen, Ph.D. Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs North Dakota University System State Capital Building, 1Olh Floor Bismarck, ND Dear Dr. Cowen, In accordance with SBHE , PROGRAM TERMINATION, the University of North Dakota seeks approval to terminate the following program: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT) The rationale for the termi nation is as follows: Historically, the Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT) degree was the initial entry level professional physical therapy degree for students at UNO through May of Beginning in May l 993, the UND physical therapy program transitioned to the Master's of Physical Therapy as the entry level professional degree. One of the requirements for the Master's of Physical Therapy degree was admission to the UND Graduate School. Admission to the UN D Graduate School, at that time, required a baccalaureate degree and the BSPT remai ned a degree option as a means to advance from the undergraduate component of the UND Physical Therapy program to the graduate component. However, in 2003, the Department of Physical Therapy transitioned from the Master's degree to the Doctor of Physical Therapy as the entry level professional degree. Since that time, all physical therapy coursework has been considered graduate level coursework, and after completing 90 University credits and admission to the professional physical therapy program, students are admitted to the UND Graduate School, irrespective of completion of a baccalaureate degree. In addition, successfully completing the national physical therapy licensing exam is required for licensure as a physical therapist in the United States;the BSPT is a non-practicing degree, meaning a student cannot register to take the national licensure exam for physical therapists with the degree. rne U/llvetsr./ of Norrn Dalio<a S an e<iua opporrunity Ia"1rmawe act>on mstdu".)()n

4 A termination request for the BSPT was previously sent to the North Dakota University System on November 17, The request was not granted as then Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Mike Hillman requested that physical therapy students have an option to obtain a bachelor's degree is they so choose. In the academic year the University of North Dakota implemented a program change that allows physical therapy students to apply for and receive a bachelor 's degree, if they meet the stated requirements. The degree is the Bachelor of General Studies with a Major in General Studies in the Health Studies option. Please note that this request is for the removal of the undergraduate degree program only. UNO will continue to offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, and will continue to serve the state and region by providing individuals with excellent preparation in this field. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning the request. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Th'o-mas-M. DiLo ren:zo:, P::: Provost and Vice Presid TMD/jma - t for

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