THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY & REHABILITATION SCIENCE

Transcription

1 THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY & REHABILITATION SCIENCE Master of Arts (Thesis and Non-Thesis) Proposal for Degree Name Change to Physical Rehabilitation Science Submitted February 2015

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Historical Perspective... 1 II. Rationale for the Requested Name Change... 1 III. Recommended Change from an MA Degree in Physical Therapy... 2 IV. Description of the MA Curriculum... 2 V. Transition Planning... 4

3 I. Historical Perspective The Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science in the Carver College of Medicine has a long history of training physical therapists and scientists in rehabilitation research. The program was first started in 1942 and there have been nearly 3000 graduates over the last 72 years. Our professional degree program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT)), is ranked 5 th out of over 200 schools and 2 nd among public institutions (US News & World Report, 2015). During a graduate college review, the DPT program was ranked as exemplary ; recognition received by only 15 of the UI Graduate College programs. The University of Iowa has long been a leader in physical therapy education. We were among the first to require a bachelor s degree before providing a graduate certificate in Physical Therapy, in the 1970 s and 1980 s. In 1987, we were among the first programs in the country to offer a Masters in Physical Therapy (MPT) as our entry-level degree. In 2001 we began the transition to an entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program. By 2016, all accredited entrylevel Physical Therapy Degree granting programs must be at the doctoral level. We also offer a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Rehabilitation Science. The PhD degree was transferred to our Department from Exercise Science in 1998 and renamed the PhD in Physical Rehabilitation Science in We have awarded over 70 PhD degrees. Most of our graduates have obtained academic faculty positions at leading institutions throughout the US and internationally. The final degree that we offer is the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Physical Therapy. The purpose of this degree was to train physical therapists to perform research. It started in 1948 and the degree was titled Physical Therapy. We have awarded over 100 MA degrees in Physical Therapy; however, it is noteworthy that this degree does not prepare someone to practice physical therapy. Rather, it provides the underlying science of rehabilitation to promote scholarship in the field. II. Rationale for the Requested Name Change While the MA degree is currently awarded less frequently than either the DPT or PhD, it continues to provide a niche for clinicians seeking advanced coursework and/or a path for those individuals potentially interested in the PhD to begin advanced studies. Unfortunately, the historical name of the MA degree (MA in Physical Therapy since 1948), has led to confusion with our entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. It is unclear that the MA is not our entry-level clinical degree that entitles a person to practice Physical Therapy. This is especially misleading to foreign students who do not have a DPT degree requirement to practice physical therapy in their countries. Importantly, US News and World Report 1

4 inadvertently included our Master s in Physical Therapy degree program in their annual ranking giving the impression that we still train future practicing physical therapists at a master s degree level. While it was an appropriate name in 1948, when The University of Iowa offered a graduate certificate in Physical Therapy to become a licensed clinician, it now has become a source of confusion to those seeking information on our degree options (both prospective students and ranking organizations, such as US News and World Report). Moreover, with a DPT now being required as the entry-level professional degree, awarding an MA in Physical Therapy, which is the practice of, appears we are offering a clinical degree at an inappropriate level in the United States. III. Recommended Change from an MA Degree in Physical Therapy Accordingly, we have unanimous support from our faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science in the Carver College of Medicine to change the name of this Master of Arts degree. We request that the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Physical Therapy be renamed to the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Physical Rehabilitation Science. IV. Description of the MA Curriculum We offer both the thesis and non-thesis MA options, which we would like to continue. We are not requesting any curriculum changes to the degree program (see curriculum summary below). We strongly believe this name change will allow The University of Iowa to continue to provide a high quality education in Physical Rehabilitation Science with less confusion for our prospective students and the physical therapy community. The current MA curricula for the non-thesis and thesis options are provided below. The only changes are updated course numbers that were recently implemented by the University of Iowa. The coursework is identical for both degree options; the only difference is that the nonthesis option replaces the thesis credits with a capstone project. The capstone project is not submitted to the Graduate College for approval as a thesis. Non-thesis option Expected coursework or (equivalent by Committee approval) Course Number Course Title Credit Hrs PTRS:7812 (101:212) Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement 3 BIOS:5110 (171:161) Introduction to Biostatistics (3 sh) 3 OR 22S:102 OR Intro to Statistical Methods (3 sh) BIOS:5120 (171:162) Design & Analysis in Biomed Science (3 sh) 3-4 OR 22S:148 OR Intermediate Statistical Methods (4 sh) PTRS:7820 (101:220) Seminar in Rehabilitation (1 sh each, two different semesters) 2 GRAD:7605 (650:270) Principles of Scholarly Integrity 1 2

5 PTRS:7900 (101:300) Rehabilitation Research Capstone Project (or equivalent) 4 Electives (elective credits required to get total of sh 14 must be approved by the advisor and Curriculum Committee) TOTAL Non-thesis Master of Arts degree is awarded (a minimum of 30 sh required from above). Thesis option Expected coursework or (equivalent by Committee approval) Course Number Course Title Credit Hrs PTRS:7812 (101:212) Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement 3 BIOS:5110 (171:161) Introduction to Biostatistics (3 sh) 3 OR 22S:102 OR Intro to Statistical Methods (3 sh) BIOS:5120 (171:162) Design & Analysis in Biomed Science (3 sh) 3-4 OR 22S:148 OR Intermediate Statistical Methods (4 sh) PTRS:7820 (101:220) Seminar in Rehabilitation (1 sh each, two different semesters) 2 GRAD:7605 (650:270) Principles of Scholarly Integrity 1 PTRS:7990 (101:301) Thesis in Rehabilitation Science (or equivalent) 6 Electives (elective credits required to get total of sh 12 must be approved by the advisor and Curriculum Committee) TOTAL Thesis Master of Arts degree is awarded (a minimum of 30 sh required from above). Elective Course Offerings (Not Exhaustive) Course Number Course Title Credit Hrs Offerings from Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science PTRS:5210 (101:210) Kinesiology and Pathomechanics 4 PTRS:6224 (101:224) Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity in Health Care 4 PTRS:7875 (101:275) Analysis of Activity-Based Neural and Musculoskeletal Plasticity 3 PTRS:7885 (101:285) Biomechanical Analysis in Rehabilitation 3 PTRS:7899 (101:899) Intro to Pain: Overview of Theories, Concepts, and Mechanisms 1 PTRS:7901 (101:901) Clinical Correlates of Pain: Syndromes and Management 1 PTRS:7902 (101:902) Molecular, Cellular, and Neural Mechanisms of Pain 1 PTRS:7903 (101:903) Rehabilitation Management of Pain 1 PTRS:7880 (101:280) Teaching Practicum arr PTRS:7884 (101:284) Practicum in Research arr PTRS:7925 (101:325) Independent Study arr PTRS:7826 (101:326) Scientific Writing in Rehab Science 3 PTRS:7927 (101:327) Research in Rehabilitation Science arr Offerings from Health & Human Physiology HHP:4300 (027:160) Neural Control of Posture and Movement 3 HHP:4220 (027:197) Biomechanics of Human Motion 3 HHP:6410 (027:240) Advanced Exercise Physiology 1, 3 HHP:6460 (027:245) Advanced Cardiovascular Physiology 3 3

6 HHP:6470 (027:248) Advanced Physiology of Aging 3 HHP:6150 (027:250) Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology 1, 3 HHP:6130 (027:255) Advanced Skeletal Muscle Physiology 3 Offerings from Pharmacology PCOL:5137 (071:137) Neurotransmitters 1 PCOL:6035 (071:235) Topics in Pain and Analgesia 1 PCOL:6250 (071:250) Advanced Problem Solving in Pharmacological Sciences 1 Offerings from Neuroscience NSCI:7180 (132:180) Neurobiology 4 NSCI:7235 (132:235) Neurobiology of Disease 3 Offerings from Epidemiology EPID:6900 (173:290) Intervention and Clinical Trials 3 Offerings from Occupational and Environmental Health OEH:4310 (175:190) Occupational Ergonomics I 3 OEH:6320 (175:294) Occupational Ergonomics II 3 OEH:6310 (175:295) Clinical Ergonomics 3 Offerings from Anatomy and Cell Biology ACB:8401 (060:232) Advanced Human Anatomy arr HHP:6300 (027:314) Seminar in Motor Control 1 IV. Transition Planning Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Physical Therapy at the time of this change would have the option of retaining the current name of the degree as Physical Therapy. Our requested change of title to the Master of Arts Degree to Physical Rehabilitation Science would apply to students enrolled after this change is formally approved by the Board of Regents. 4

7 Debra A. Schwinn, M.D., Dean March 23, 2015 Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine 451 Newton Road, 212 CMAB Iowa City, IA Tel Fax John C. Keller, PhD Dean, Graduate College 201 GILH The University of Iowa Iowa City IA Re: Proposed Name Change for Master of Arts to Physical Rehabilitation Science Dear Dean Keller: I support the name change of the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Physical Therapy to the Master of Arts (MA) degree in Physical Rehabilitation Science. As outlined in the proposal from Dr. Shields, this change will reduce confusion as to the intent of this master s degree program. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Debra Schwinn, MD Dean, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Professor of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Biochemistry cc Richard Shields, PhD