Department of Physical Therapy
Points of Interest to Potential Applicants…
At Daemen, students can earn a Bachelor's degree in Natural Science at the completion of four years and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) at the completion of six years.
As an enrolled Physical Therapy Program major, students are guaranteed admission to the professional phase of the curriculum provided they achieve academic and departmental standards.
Students have access to a variety of clinical experiences--local, national and international--at over 300 clinical sites.
Students study with dedicated faculty, all of whom teach, practice, and conduct research in a variety of areas including orthopedics, pediatrics, geriatrics, tissue mechanics, sports medicine, vestibular, and wound healing.
Opportunities abound for students to work closely with faculty throughout the program, including participation in research activities.
Career options are extensive for physical therapists in hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, rehabilitaton centers, schools, athletic facilities, and more.
Daemen College Physical Therapy has a solid history…
Our physical therapy program has maintained continuous accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education since its beginning in 1974.
Daemen College is the first small liberal arts college in New York State accredited to offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree.
In over 30 years of physical therapy education experience we have graduated more than 2000 physical therapists.
Read about the mission, philosophy and goals of the Physical Therapy Department.
The Department of Physical Therapy offers several different programs:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Department Chair
Sharon L. Held PT DPT MS PCS
sheld@daemen.edu
The DPT program offers the first professional degree and prepares students to sit for the licensure examination and enter the profession of physical therapy as a new graduate.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy Department at Daemen College is committed to preparing clinicians capable of flourishing as fully autonomous health care practitioners.
Students may apply as freshmen or transfers to the BS Natural Science / DPT program.
Students already possessing a baccalaureate degree may apply to the direct entry DPT program.
For further information about the DPT program--contact Sharon Held PT DPT MS PCS, Chair of the Physical Therapy Department, at 716.839.8345 or sheld@daemen.edu.
Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT)
Program Director
Theresa A. Kolodziej PT DPT MS
tkolodzi@daemen.edu
The Mission of the Physical Therapy Program at Daemen College is to prepare knowledgeable, skilled, culturally competent, compassionate, and reflective physical therapist practitioners capable of functioning collaboratively and autonomously in the dynamic health environment.
This program provides licensed physical therapists who graduated and entered clinical practice with a Bachelor's or Master's degree with the education and clinical competencies necessary to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
For further information or to apply to the Transitional DPT program, contact Terri Kolodziej PT DPT MS at 716.839.8412 or tkolodzi@daemen.edu.
Transitional DPT and Continuing Education Survey.
The Physical Therapy Department is conducting a survey in an effort to determine how our alumni and local clinicians would like to be kept current with evidence-based practice knowledge. Information gathered will assist us in long range planning.
Fellowship Program in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Program Director
Ronald J. Schenk PT PhD OCS FAAOMPT Cert. MDT
rschenk@daemen.edu
The Daemen College Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program is credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association. Fellowship education will allow licensed therapists to achieve advanced psychomotor and analytical skills in orthopaedic manual physical therapy.
Licensed physical therapists may apply to the the Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship advanced certificate program by contacting Ronald Schenk PT PhD OCS FAAOMPT Cert. MDT, at 716-839-8360 or rschenk@daemen.edu.
Student Physical Therapy Association (SPTA)
In 2007-2008 the SPTA raised nearly $6,000 to benefit Cradle Beach Camp, Stone's Buddies, and the Brian Moorman PUNT Foundation.
The Daemen College Catalog (Accreditation section) provides contact information for New York State Board of Regents, Middle States Commission of Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314; accreditation@apta.org; 703-684-2783 or 706-3245), and Daemen College offices designated to disseminate consumer information. This information is available to faculty, staff, students and the public through printed and online access.