The Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences in coordination with Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering/Computer Science offer a joint degree program that awards graduates a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from the Feinberg School of Medicine as well as a PhD from the McCormick School of Engineering.  This joint program marries two disciplines for one clear benefit: improved rehabilitation therapies and technologies for patients with movement disorders. Rehabilitation and engineering, as it relates to movement and rehabilitation sciences, is a distinct and novel research field that requires an interdisciplinary graduate education and training program. Although this discipline has its roots in the fields of medicine, engineering and neuroscience, work at the interface of these fields requires training that is not available in the traditional curriculum. Graduate students who receive this interdisciplinary training are expected to become new leaders in engineering, rehabilitation sciences, physical therapy and in device development for the study and restoration of human function both in the academic, governmental, healthcare and industry environments.  Their scientific and engineering contributions will have a significant impact on rehabilitation related healthcare costs in the US. Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and NIH/Howard Hughes Medical Institute will fully finance the DPT education of two new DPT/PhD(Eng) students each year to support the creation of this highly innovative joint degree program.

Why this program is needed... Research engineers are making strong contributions to the science underlying rehabilitation and disability.  These research engineers lack formal training and experience in clinical care.  With this combined program, the graduate will be a licensed, doctorally trained physical therapist with expertise in engineering approaches to movement science and rehabilitation.  They will be able to bridge faculty appointments in engineering and rehabilitation and will be strong competitors for research funding at NIH, NSF, NIDRR, and VA.

NWU Faculty...Select faculty from the Departments of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences (PTHMS) (Brown, Dewald, Makhsous, and MacKinnon), Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), Physiology and Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science/Electrical Engineering with joint advisorship between PTHMS, PM&R, Physiology and McCormick faculty.

Course of study (timeline) and special courses... Year 1: Three laboratory rotations starting in the winter quarter and required engineering graduate course work. The choice of rotations and coursework will be done with the help of an appointed preceptor. Year 2: Dual advisors will be chosen by the student (one advisor with an engineering background; one advisor with a clinical and biology background) with the assistance of the preceptor in the beginning of the fall. Students will continue their coursework and start their PhD research. Years 3 – 6: DPT coursework with ongoing doctoral level research; some of the coursework to satisfy PhD elective requirements; research that leads to completion of masters degree level project and strong proposal for doctoral level project; Years 6 – 7: Doctoral level research completed and clinical involvement to acquire advanced clinical problem solving skills; Special courses in motor control physiology, engineering in the research lab (programming and measurements), rehab engineering, special topics and tutorials.

Other events... Annual student presentations, Invited speakers with PT and Engineering backgrounds, Orientation event

Admissions... Primary criteria:  Letters of reference; demonstrated commitment to physical therapy and patient care; interview; strong engineering and science academic performance and training from a strong program. Applicants complete the GRE, submit two (DPT and PhD) separate applications for admission in the fall of 2010. Submission deadline is December 15, 2009.

Student funding support... 1st and 2nd year – University fellowship (tuition support and stipend); 3rd – 6th year (DPT) – tuition support and stipend from Medical School; 6th – PhD completion – tuition and stipend support from research advisor with supplement from clinical duties and from NIH training grant funds.

For further information regarding the DPT/PhD please contact:  David A. Brown, PT, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of DPT/PhD(Eng) Program at Northwestern University at d-brown1@northwestern.edu.

For enrollment in the DPT portion of the DPT/PhD program please contact Jane Sullivan, PT, DHS, Associate Professor and Assistant Department Chair - Admissions & Recruiting at mailto:j-sullivan@northwestern.edu or at 312-908-6789  Please do so before the deadline of December 15, 2009!