Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) Program
Department of Health Sciences
Program Assessment Plan 2004-05
Introduction
The Master of Physical Therapy Program admits a cohort class annually. The cohort class
begins the two year professional program in spring semester and finishes 6 terms later at
the conclusion of fall semester. Thus, each cohort class completes a 6 term curriculum
cycle.
Program outcomes are evaluated following each curricular cycle (post graduation of each
cohort class). The eight program outcome goals are reviewed annually at the annual
curriculum review retreat (most recently on February 24, 2005). The goals remain
unchanged and are the basis of this assessment report. Each program goal will have
many learning outcomes (objectives) that are included in a wide variety of program
courses. However, the capstone clinical course, HSC 588 includes all relevant learning
outcomes and that syllabus has been attached for reference. In the syllabus, each of the
eight program goals is included with specific learning outcomes listed subsequent to each
goal.
Outcomes assessment measures (research methods) used to determine achievement of the
program goals include a combination of direct and indirect measures. Direct measures:
HSC 588 clinical capstone course, HSC 598 Special Topics in Physical Therapy
Research (additional capstone requirement - syllabus attached), Professional
Development Plan (PDP Plan, capstone requirement - description and learning outcomes
available on request). Finally, all physical therapy graduates must pass an independent
licensure examination in order to practice in the community. Indirect measures include:
annual implementation of student exit surveys, recent graduate alumni surveys (1 year
post graduation) and student assessments (standard form) of adequacy of academic
preparation for practice following the HSC 588 clinical capstone course.
All measures are implemented/evaluated annually, data analyzed and summarized and all
of results reviewed by the aggregate faculty in an annual curricular cycle retreat (most
recently February 24, 2005). Program changes are determined and an action plan
developed for implementation. The only exception to this annual cycle review is the
PDP Plan. It is reviewed annually in December prior to the admission of each cohort
class as the parameters and learning outcomes associated with this plan are published in
the MPT Student handbook, distributed in January to the new cohort class.
The MPT Program is accredited by an independent agency (Commission on
Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education - CAPTE), which requires a comprehensive
program assessment plan including implementation of specific types of outcomes
measures, eg., survey of alumni/ recent program graduates. The submitted plan will also
be submitted for CAPTE requirements.