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 501 | Foundations of Interprofessional Practice | 1 |
PHTY 501 | Gross Anatomy (Physical Therapy) | 7 |
PHTY 502 | Kinesiology | 4 |
PHTY 503 | Applied Exercise Physiology | 3 |
PHTY 505 | Applied Microscopic Anatomy for Physical Therapy | 4 |
PHTY 506 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
PHTY 508 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I | 6 |
PHTY 510 | Rehabilitation I | 3 |
PHTY 512 | Health Care Systems | 2 |
PHTY 520 | Clinical Education I: Introduction to Clinical Education | 3 |
PHTY 531 | Evidence-based Practice Concepts | 2 |
PHTY 537 | Rehabilitation II | 3 |
PHTY 540 | Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy | 1 |
PHTY 609 | Clinical Biomechanics | 3 |
PHTY 615 | Pharmacology (Physical Therapy) (satisfies certificate core requirement GRTY 601) | 1 |
PHTY 621 | Biophysical Agents | 4 |
PHTY 623 | Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy | 3 |
PHTY 624 | Clinical Problem-solving I | 2 |
PHTY 626 | Lifespan I | 6 |
PHTY 627 | Lifespan II (satisfies certificate core requirement GRTY 601) | 2 |
PHTY 640 | Neurologic Physical Therapy | 6 |
PHTY 644 | Orthotics and Prosthetics | 2 |
PHTY 646 | Clinical Medicine | 2 |
PHTY 648 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II | 6 |
PHTY 650 | Clinical Education II | 8 |
PHTY 651 | Professional Issues in Physical Therapy | 2 |
PHTY 654 | Clinical Problem-solving II | 1 |
PHTY 660 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy III | 1 |
PHTY 661 | Administration and Management in Physical Therapy | 2 |
PHTY 670 | Clinical Integration of Physical Therapy Concepts | 2 |
PHTY 674 | Clinical Problem-solving III | 1 |
PHTY 676 | Comprehensive Study of Physical Therapy Practice | 1 |
PHTY 680 | Clinical Education III | 12 |
PHTY 695 | Clinical Education IV | 12 |
Certificate requirements | ||
GRTY 601 | Biological and Physiological Aging (satisfied by D.P.T. requirements PHTY 615 and PHTY 627) | 3 |
GRTY 602 | Psychology of Aging | 3 |
GRTY 603 | Social Gerontology | 3 |
GRTY 606 | Aging and Human Values | 3 |
Restricted elective | 3 | |
Select from: | ||
Problems, Issues and Trends in Gerontology | ||
Aging and Mental Disorders | ||
Long-term Care Administration | ||
Topical Seminar | ||
Independent Studies | ||
Total Hours | 134 |
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