2008 Woodie Awards
SHU's physical therapy program ranks first in Conn.
Students and faculty express excitment for the achievement
Kaitlin O'Reilly
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
U.S. News and World Report have nominated the physical therapy program at Sacred Heart University as the best in Connecticut.
According to the magazine, "Best Graduate Schools 2009," Sacred Heart was designated as having one of the top five physical therapy programs in New England. Sacred Heart also ranked 52nd in the nation along with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University, the University of Vermont and Simmons College. Having introduced the first doctoral program in Conn. in 2004, Sacred Heart has excelled in pioneering the development of the program within the state.
"When I saw the ranking it made me happy and it gave me more pride in SHU. It also made me feel like I'm where I'm suppose to be and that this is a good school to attend," said sophomore Sara Baker, physical therapy major.
Students and faculty from every department expressed enthusiasm for the achievement, as it assists in building a positive reputation for the university.
"I was glad to hear this report. I think it bodies well not only for the students who are undergraduates, but also for those students who will be pursuing their doctorates in physical therapy here," said senior Elise Valerio. "It gives more weight to the program and really gets our name out there, much in the way that the John F. Welch College of Business got such a powerful endorsement and earned accreditation by the AACSB International."
Physical therapy at Sacred Heart is a three-year-long program and requires students to complete 8-10 weeks of full-time clinical work during the summer between the first and second year. The program is described as a professional educational program leading to a clinical doctorate (Doctor of Physical Therapy or DPT) as the entry-level degree for professional practice.
"I'm still at the very beginning of the program, so all I can say is that it's a difficult program and you do have to work at it," said Baker. "Many people don't realize how hard PT students have to work."
According to the magazine, "Best Graduate Schools 2009," Sacred Heart was designated as having one of the top five physical therapy programs in New England. Sacred Heart also ranked 52nd in the nation along with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University, the University of Vermont and Simmons College. Having introduced the first doctoral program in Conn. in 2004, Sacred Heart has excelled in pioneering the development of the program within the state.
"When I saw the ranking it made me happy and it gave me more pride in SHU. It also made me feel like I'm where I'm suppose to be and that this is a good school to attend," said sophomore Sara Baker, physical therapy major.
Students and faculty from every department expressed enthusiasm for the achievement, as it assists in building a positive reputation for the university.
"I was glad to hear this report. I think it bodies well not only for the students who are undergraduates, but also for those students who will be pursuing their doctorates in physical therapy here," said senior Elise Valerio. "It gives more weight to the program and really gets our name out there, much in the way that the John F. Welch College of Business got such a powerful endorsement and earned accreditation by the AACSB International."
Physical therapy at Sacred Heart is a three-year-long program and requires students to complete 8-10 weeks of full-time clinical work during the summer between the first and second year. The program is described as a professional educational program leading to a clinical doctorate (Doctor of Physical Therapy or DPT) as the entry-level degree for professional practice.
"I'm still at the very beginning of the program, so all I can say is that it's a difficult program and you do have to work at it," said Baker. "Many people don't realize how hard PT students have to work."
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