The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to advance physical therapy practice through inter-professional and evidence-based educational opportunities that engage and support students in their development into knowledgeable, skilled, reflective, and collaborative practitioners. These characteristics will reflect the values and principles of contemporary health care with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of all people, holding a deep commitment to the Appalachian region and beyond.
The Physical Therapy Program at Lincoln Memorial University supports the Mission and Goals of the University, with the ultimate purpose of developing well-educated individuals with critical thinking and creative problem solving skills necessary to assume roles of responsibility as clinician, consultant, educator, and administrator in improving the quality of life for all individuals in the Appalachian region and beyond.
Our philosophy emerges from the following values that are embraced by all DPT program faculty. These values drive the design, implementation, and ongoing assessment of our curriculum:
- The APTA Code of Ethics and APTA Standards of Practice guide the interactions of students and faculty.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy education develops the foundation for life-long personal and professional development through the active pursuit of knowledge.
- Teaching and learning are collaborative and dynamic processes between faculty and students that require passion, commitment, creativity, and ongoing assessment and self-reflection.
- Learning experiences are deliberately structured to advance the development of affective, cognitive, and psychomotor skills of the student and varied to reflect differences in student learning styles.
- Effective learning occurs inside and outside of the classroom in the context of professional, community, and service-oriented activities.
- The use of best evidence drives the delivery of physical therapy services. It is the responsibility of faculty and students to engage in research that will contribute to the current knowledge base to promote effective and efficient clinical practice.
- Physical therapists are instrumental in optimizing the function and participation of individuals through contemporary intervention, health promotion, prevention, fitness, and wellness to meet the changing health care needs of society.
- Advancement of the physical therapy profession is the civic responsibility of faculty and students demonstrated through continued competency, service-oriented practice, advocacy, scholarship, teaching, and administration.
- Service to the college and surrounding community is the responsibility of both students and faculty.