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Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • Ruskin, Florida
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  • Program Overview

    Doctor of Physical Therapy Lecture

    Gannon University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program strives to be a leader in educating autonomous physical therapists who participate in integrative and collaborative practice to facilitate high quality health and educational outcomes. We will be practitioners of choice in the community, recognized as experts in movement, function and health. As leaders we will embrace our social responsibility, promote humanistic care, and contribute to the profession's body of knowledge.

    The Gannon University Physical Therapy Program at Ruskin embraces the current APTA vision statement, "Physical therapists will transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience."

     Doctor of Physical Therapy - Lecture Hall

    The DPT program at Ruskin professes to:

    • Provide physical therapy graduate education of the highest quality to develop generalist practitioners, while emphasizing faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility. 
    • Prepare global citizens engaged in the community, who are service oriented and meeting  the needs of society.
    • Engage in faculty community-based scholarship with the movement system at the core of  all avenues of inquiry. 

    Wheelie Practice - Ruskin

    Gannon University is a Catholic, Diocesan University with 90 years of rich tradition in academic excellence. This success has presented the opportunity to develop a second community based DPT program at our Ruskin, Florida campus.  The Ruskin DPT curriculum begins in the summer semester. The curriculum includes four full-time clinical education experiences for a total of 40 weeks of clinical experience. Students are encouraged to travel for clinical education experiences. The curriculum includes 5 courses (Community Health Initiative I-V) that provide service-learning experiences with a network of community partners. Opportunities to work with students from other professions both on and off campus are abundant. Students are encouraged and supported to attend, participate and present projects at national and state conferences.

     Florida Sunset

    What Makes Us Different

    • Laboratory Size: 10:1 Student-to-teacher ratio provides opportunities to work closely with faculty and peers on campus and in the community
    • Community Engagement: Students and faculty will embrace and strengthen the Ruskin, Florida community
    • Diverse Clinical Experiences: Presents opportunities to travel throughout the nation
    • Cutting Edge Technology: Students and faculty will utilize innovative equipment to develop highly-qualified clinicians 
    • Interprofessional Learning Opportunities: Promote collaboration amongst multiple disciplines and produce well-rounded leaders  

    Program Director: Mollie Venglar, DSc, MSPT,  813-658-4930, venglar001@gannon.edu

     

    A day in the life

    Partnership

    UT Wordmark color logo

    The University of Tampa has partnered with Gannon University to offer eligible UT graduates direct pathways to graduate-level health profession programs offered at Gannon’s location in Ruskin, FL. Learn more.

  • Financial Aid Award

    All applicants to the DPT program at the Ruskin, Florida campus for the Summer 2023 semester will be automatically considered for financial aid awards.  Admitted students will qualify for awards up to $5,250 per semester.

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Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be reflective practitioners who utilize critical inquiry, the patient/client management model, and evidence-based practice to make independent clinical decisions.
  2. Students will provide services to the community that promote health, well-being, and quality of life.
  3. Students will advocate for individual patient/client needs.
  4. Students will demonstrate respect for the diversity of individuals, cultures, and the community.
  5. Students will demonstrate professionalism consistent with the professional behaviors advocated by the APTA.
  • Apply Online
  • Graduate Admissions

    Phone: 813-658-4900
    Toll Free: 1-800-GANNON-U

    Office Location:
    105 Commercial Center Drive
    Ruskin, FL 33573

    Email: graduateruskin@gannon.edu