2016 Fact Book

57 doctoral degrees can also enter the Ph.D. program through a bridge program that allows for transfer of up to 12 credits. The Dr.O.T. and the Ph.D. are offered through distance- learning formats. The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Program at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus is a full-time, on-campus program that takes three years to complete. The entry-level D.P.T. program in Tampa is a hybrid program combining online and face-to-face instruction and takes four years to complete. The entry- level D.P.T. programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: (703) 706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org ; website: capteonline.org . The Transition Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (T-D.P.T.) is a postgraduate program designed for working physical therapists who want to advance their clinical knowledge and skills to that of the Doctor of Physical Therapy. This program is a hybrid program combining online courses with an on-campus component two days per semester for each core course taken. The program is designed for practicing physical therapists who entered the profession through entry- level bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Therapy (Ph.D.) program is designed for physical therapists whose professional interests include the aspiration to be an educator, a commitment to research, or the acquisition of leadership skills so as to serve as consultants in the health care arena. The Ph.D. program requires 60 semester hours beyond the master’s degree or the entry- level doctoral degree. Doctoral courses are conducted in a distance, hybrid format with minimal time on campus. The Physician Assistant Programs, located on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus and on NSU’s campuses in Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and Orlando, Florida, are accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The programs award a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) in Physician Assistant degree. Physician assistants (PAs) are health care professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs take medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory tests, diagnose and treat illnesses, suture wounds, and assist in surgery. They can also write prescriptions in every state. The primary care-oriented program combines 15 months of didactic studies with one year of comprehensive clinical training. After completion of clinical training, graduates must take the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination for licensure. The Respiratory Therapy Program is located at the Palm Beach Campus. The entry-level, or first-professional, program is a full-time, on-campus, 24-month program. It offers a state-of-the-art facility with more than 1,200 clinical hours and a wide variety of clinic rotations available. The program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC). The completion program, opened in 2012, is designed for the practicing registered respiratory therapist. The program is fully online, part time, and can be completed in 24 months. The Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders was approved by the Board of Trustees in December 2012. Classes are offered daytime, evening, and online, for this dual admit program. Graduates of the program may continue on to graduate study or may become Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPA) support personnel. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program (M.S.), which began in 1983, educates speech- language pathologists to provide a full range of services in a variety of settings to clients with communicative disorders and their families. The program provides scientifically based academic and clinical curricula to foster critical thinking and application of best practices. The program prepares the student to meet the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (ASHA is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech- Language Pathology [CAA].) Additionally, the Clinic for Speech, Language, and Communication provides assessment and treatment services to approximately 200 patients and families each week. Individual and/or group therapy services are available for those with issues such