Advanced study in physical therapy and aging studies is available through a dual degree and certificate program co-sponsored by the Department of Physical Therapy and the Department of Gerontology in the College of Health Professions.

The program allows students to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Certificate in Aging Studies with a minimum of 134 credits rather than the 137 credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. This efficiency lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees.

Program goals

The objectives of this dual degree and certificate program are to:

  • Prepare graduates to address the complex needs of a diverse aging population using holistic knowledge of biopsychosocial aging process
  • Provide graduates with an understanding of empirically and theoretically based components contributing to optimal aging using evidence-based, best-practice approaches
  • Prepare graduates to apply current knowledge, theory and professional judgment, while considering the perspectives of older adult clients/patients
  • Prepare graduates to develop skills in comprehensive geriatric care to promote well-being among older adults

Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree and certificate program are the following:

  • Enhance D.P.T. graduates’ knowledge and skills in caring for older adults, who represent an increasing segment of PT practice
  • Increase D.P.T. graduates’ competitiveness in the job market
  •  Offer D.P.T. students an opportunity for career advancement by specializing in geriatrics

The diplomas for this dual degree and certificate program may be awarded simultaneously. Students must complete a separate graduation check out for each program.

Student learning outcomes

See the individual program pages for student learning outcomes.

Other information

Advising

The student is assigned an adviser from each program to develop a plan of study. Advisers from each program will advise students of course requirements from their respective programs.

Admission requirements

Students must meet the admission requirements for each program. Admission into one program does not guarantee admission into the other.

The Certificate in Aging Studies program is open to qualified students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent and who have met all general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School.

The admission requirements for the D.P.T. can be found on the program page.

Application procedure

Applicants may apply any time after acceptance into the D.P.T. program.

Students may contact VCU Graduate Admissions to have their transcripts and letters of recommendation from the D.P.T. application attached to their certificate application. A new personal statement is required.

Dual degree and certificate requirements

As standalone programs, the D.P.T. comprises 122 credits while the certificate requires 15 credits. The dual degree and certificate program allows students to share three credits, therefore decreasing total credits to completion from 137 to 134.

Based on the equivalent knowledge acquired by successfully completing PHTY 615 and PHTY 627 in the D.P.T. program, GRTY 601 is satisfied in the certificate curriculum.

Curriculum requirements

Course Title Hours
D.P.T. requirements
IPEC 501Foundations of Interprofessional Practice1
PHTY 501Gross Anatomy (Physical Therapy)7
PHTY 502Kinesiology4
PHTY 503Applied Exercise Physiology3
PHTY 505Applied Microscopic Anatomy for Physical Therapy4
PHTY 506Functional Neuroanatomy4
PHTY 508Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I6
PHTY 510Rehabilitation I3
PHTY 512Health Care Systems2
PHTY 520Clinical Education I: Introduction to Clinical Education3
PHTY 531Evidence-based Practice Concepts2
PHTY 537Rehabilitation II3
PHTY 540Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy1
PHTY 609Clinical Biomechanics3
PHTY 615Pharmacology (Physical Therapy) (satisfies certificate core requirement GRTY 601)1
PHTY 621Biophysical Agents4
PHTY 623Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy3
PHTY 624Clinical Problem-solving I2
PHTY 626Lifespan I6
PHTY 627Lifespan II (satisfies certificate core requirement GRTY 601)2
PHTY 640Neurologic Physical Therapy6
PHTY 644Orthotics and Prosthetics2
PHTY 646Clinical Medicine2
PHTY 648Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II6
PHTY 650Clinical Education II8
PHTY 651Professional Issues in Physical Therapy2
PHTY 654Clinical Problem-solving II1
PHTY 660Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy III1
PHTY 661Administration and Management in Physical Therapy2
PHTY 670Clinical Integration of Physical Therapy Concepts2
PHTY 674Clinical Problem-solving III1
PHTY 676Comprehensive Study of Physical Therapy Practice1
PHTY 680Clinical Education III12
PHTY 695Clinical Education IV12
Certificate requirements
GRTY 601Biological and Physiological Aging (satisfied by D.P.T. requirements PHTY 615 and PHTY 627)3
GRTY 602Psychology of Aging3
GRTY 603Social Gerontology3
GRTY 606Aging and Human Values3
Restricted elective3
Select from:
Problems, Issues and Trends in Gerontology
Aging and Mental Disorders
Long-term Care Administration
Topical Seminar
Independent Studies
Total Hours134

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual program is 134.

Sample plan of study

Summer semester
Prior to year one  
PHTY 501 Gross Anatomy (Physical Therapy) 7
 Term Hours: 7
P1 year
Fall semester
IPEC 501 Foundations of Interprofessional Practice 1
PHTY 502 Kinesiology 4
PHTY 503 Applied Exercise Physiology 3
PHTY 505 Applied Microscopic Anatomy for Physical Therapy 4
PHTY 510 Rehabilitation I 3
PHTY 531 Evidence-based Practice Concepts 2
PHTY 615 Pharmacology (Physical Therapy) (satisfies certificate requirement GRTY 601) 1
 Term Hours: 18
Spring semester
PHTY 506 Functional Neuroanatomy 4
PHTY 508 Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I 6
PHTY 520 Clinical Education I: Introduction to Clinical Education 3
PHTY 537 Rehabilitation II 3
PHTY 540 Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy 1
PHTY 623 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy 3
 Term Hours: 20
Summer semester
No courses required  
 Term Hours: 0
P2 year
Fall semester
GRTY 603 Social Gerontology 3
PHTY 512 Health Care Systems 2
PHTY 609 Clinical Biomechanics 3
PHTY 621 Biophysical Agents 4
PHTY 624 Clinical Problem-solving I 2
PHTY 648 Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II 6
PHTY 661 Administration and Management in Physical Therapy 2
 Term Hours: 22
Spring semester
GRTY 606 Aging and Human Values 3
PHTY 626 Lifespan I 6
PHTY 627 Lifespan II (satisfies certificate requirement GRTY 601) 2
PHTY 640 Neurologic Physical Therapy 6
PHTY 644 Orthotics and Prosthetics 2
PHTY 646 Clinical Medicine 2
 Term Hours: 21
Summer semester
PHTY 650 Clinical Education II 8
 Term Hours: 8
P3 year
Fall semester
Block 1-8 weeks  
GRTY 602 Psychology of Aging 3
PHTY 651 Professional Issues in Physical Therapy 2
PHTY 654 Clinical Problem-solving II 1
PHTY 660 Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy III 1
PHTY 670 Clinical Integration of Physical Therapy Concepts 2
PHTY 676 Comprehensive Study of Physical Therapy Practice 1
Block 2-12 weeks  
PHTY 680 Clinical Education III 12
 Term Hours: 22
Spring semester
PHTY 674 Clinical Problem-solving III 1
PHTY 695 Clinical Education IV 12
GRTY elective 3
 Term Hours: 16
 Total Hours: 134

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual program is 134.

Contact
Jennifer Pryor
Program director, Department of Gerontology
pryorjm@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1565

Additional contact
Michel Landry, Ph.D.
Associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy
landrym2@vcu.edu
(804) 828-3645