The Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Department of Biomedical Engineering announces an innovative education initiative that is set to merge the established strengths of two departments, two distinct schools. The joint degree program will award graduates a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from the Feinberg School of Medicine as well as a PhD from the McCormick School of Engineering, marrying 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 will be receiving 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 are expected to have a significant impact on rehabilitation related healthcare costs in the US. Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 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. 

The application deadline for the BME program is the 31st of December 2007. Applications for the DPT program have also been extended for those applying to the DPT/PhD(Eng) program. Please contact admissions to request an electronic version of the application. These applications are for starting the engineering PhD curriculum in Fall of 2008, and subsequently beginning the DPT curriculum in Fall of 2009.

Facts about the new DPT/PhD(Eng) Program
Official name of the program... DPT/PHD(Eng) Program
Mission/expected program outcomes... A combined DPT-PhD(Eng) degree program in the engineering and life sciences that prepares graduates for dual careers as physical therapist /scientists in rehabilitation science and engineering research, with strong relevance to physical therapist patient care.
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 Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences (PTHMS) (Brown, Dewald, Makhsous, MacKinnon, and Rogers) and select programs in Engineering School with joint advisorship between PTHMS and McCormick faculty.
Course of study (timeline) and special courses... Year 1: Required engineering graduate course work; Years 2 – 4: 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 5 – 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 2008.
Student funding support... 1st year – University fellowship (tuition support and stipend); 2nd – 4th year (DPT) – tuition support and stipend from Medical School; 5th – PhD completion – tuition and stipend support from research advisor with supplement from clinical duties.

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