Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Practice Management is designed to prepare graduates to pursue advanced areas of expertise in healthcare leadership, or to apply for the graduate level track (PTA to DPT Bridge).

 

Why ConsiderÌýAdvancing to a DPT at NewÌýEngland Tech?

The Health Practice Management program serves as aÌýpathway to prepare you for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. A DPT can provide:

  1. Enhanced Career Opportunities:
    As a DPT, you will have access to a broader range of job opportunities, including leadership roles, specialized clinical positions, and academic appointments.
  2. Increased Earning Potential:
    A DPT degree can boost your earning potential, offering more financial stability and rewarding professional growth.
  3. Expanded Scope of Practice:
    With a DPT, you’ll be able to diagnose and treat patients independently, providing a higher level of care and increasing your professional autonomy.

 

No matter where you are on your journey to a Physical Therapy career, 91ÖÆƬ³§ Tech provides several options for you!

 

IF:
THEN:
If you do not have a PTA license… Apply for the Physical Therapist Assistant, AS program
Once you have successfully completed the PTA program, you can move on to the Health Practice Management, BS
If you have an active PTA license, but no bachelor’s degree… Apply for the Health Practice Management, BS program
The Health Practice Management, BS program will then bridge you into the DPT program
If you have an active PTA license, AND a bachelor’s degree… Apply for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program


 

 

 

Related Programs

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

The Bachelor of Science degree in Health Practice Management is designed to prepare graduates to pursue advanced areas of expertise in healthcare leadership, or to apply for a graduate studies track.

 

Program Goals:

STUDENTS WILL —

  1. Acquire the knowledge, skills and aptitude necessary to function in a leadership or advocacy role as a healthcare professional.
  2. Become competitive and innovative in their profession through enhanced career performance by utilizing progressive clinical and management skills.
  3. Be prepared to pursue advanced continued education in certification programs, other healthcare professions, or graduate/doctoral studies.
  4. Program Goal 4 (Contribution to Workforce)
    Produce graduates with skills to become leaders and practitioners of choice, actively contributing to the employment sector and meeting the needs within urban, rural and underserved areas, thus addressing health disparities, and improving access to physical therapy services.

Program Outcomes:

Successful graduates of this program will be able to —

  1. Demonstrate leadership roles as a healthcare professional.
  2. Employ decision-making skills using ethical and clinical reasoning.
  3. Differentiate between evidence-based/peer review studies as they apply to practice.
  4. Communicate all written and oral expression with proficiency as a member of the healthcare team.
  5. Evaluate healthcare equity and access to diverse populations.

 

 

Courses Offered

 

Term VII
Course No. Course Title C L T
RS 385 Health and Wellness 4 0 4
HU 315 Cultural Competence in Workplace (HU Core) 4 0 4
EN 331 Research Writing in the Social Sciences (COM Core) 4 0 4
BIO 116 Introduction to Biology (MA/SCI Core) (required for pre-DPT) 4 0 4
BIO 374 Pathophysiology: A Clinical Approach (for RC Students or non- pre-DPT students) 4 0 4

Optional Intersession (this may vary depending on start date and if prereqs are not met)Ìý

Course No. Course Title C L T
MA 125 Technical Math I (MA/SCI Core) 4 0 4
PHY 126 Applied Physics and Lab (MA/SCI Core) 3 2 4
PHY 200 Physics I and Lab (MA/SCI Core) (cannot be taken with MA 125) 3 2 4
Term VIII
Course No. Course Title C L T
§¸é³§ 411 §Exercise Physiology and Laboratory 2 4 4
EN 422 Advanced Writing in the Health Sciences (COM Core) 4 0 4
PS 440 Developmental Psychology (SS Core) 4 0 4
§CHM 300 §Chemistry I and Lab (MA/SCI core) (required for pre-DPT) 3 2 4
RC 426 RC 426 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Management 1 (for RC Students) 4 0 4
Term IX
Course No. Course Title C L T
HS 395 Clinical Reasoning in the Health Sciences 4 0 4
ELECTIVE: Technical Elective* 3/4 0/2 4
Choose OneÌý
BIO 440 Functional Neuroscience (required for pre-DPT) 4 0 4
RC 436 Advanced Cardiopulmonary Management 2 (for RC Students) 4 0 4
Choose OneÌý
PS 410 Applied Research Statistics (SS Core) 4 0 4
MA 300 Statistics (MA/SCI Core) 4 0 4
15-16 0/2 16
Term X
Course No. Course Title C L T
SS XXX Health, Equity and Diversity (SS Core) 4 0 4
ELECTIVEÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý 300-400 Level Humanities, Social Sciences, or 200 Level Foreign Language Core 4 0 4
Choose One:
§CHM 400 §Chemistry II and Lab (MA/SCI Core) (required for pre-DPT) 3 2 4
SCI 300 Public Health by the Numbers (for RC Students) 4 0 4
ELECTIVE Technical Elective* (if not pre-DPT) 3/4 0/2 4
Choose One:
PHY 300 Physics II and Lab (MA/SCI Core) (required for pre-DPT) 3 2 4
MGM 487 Non-Profit Management (for RC Students) 3 2 4
ELECTIVE Technical Elective* (if not pre-DPT) 3/4 0/2 4
Term XI
Course No. Course Title C L T
HCM 312 Introduction to Healthcare Management 4 0 4
HCM 435 Healthcare Ethics and Leadership 3 2 4
ELECTIVE Technical Elective* 3/4 0/2 4

 

OR Term XI (Term I DPT) (***if accepted to DPT program)
Course No. Course Title C L T
PT 611 Foundations PT Practice and Professional Formation 1 2 6 4
PT 613 Foundation of Movement System 1 – Introduction 1 2 2
PT 614 Foundation of Movement System 2 – Gross Anatomy 4 4 6
7 12 12

 

Term XII
Course No. Course Title C L T
MGM 450 Career Leadership 3 2 4
MGM 467 Entrepreneurship 3 2 4
ELECTIVE Technical Elective* 3-4 0-2 4

 

OR Term XII (Term II DPT) (***if accepted to DPT program)
Course No. Course Title C L T
PT 721 Foundations of PT Practice 2 – Biomechanics/Kinesiology (First half of term) 3 4 5
PT 722 Foundations of PT Practice 3 – Exam (Second half of term) 3 4 5
PT 725 Professional Formation 2 – Clinical Decision-Making PTA to DPT 2 0 2
8 8 12

 

Technical Elective* Choices for Terms VIII, IX, XI and XII
Course No. Course Title C L T
MGM 310 Product and Service Marketing 3 2 4
MGM 320 Business Presentations 3 2 4
MGM 346 Project Management 3 2 4
MGM 348 Managing Health in Organizations 4 0 4
HS 400 Exercise is Medicine 3 2 4
HS 420 Nutrition for Health Promotion 4 0 4
HS 430 Introduction to Public Health 4 0 4

 

*All electives listed above are not offered every term.

 

Legend

C = Number of lecture hours per week
L = Number of laboratory hours per week
T = Total Quarter Credit Hours where each lecture hour per week is one credit, every 2-4 laboratory hours are one credit depending on the expected amount of pre- or post-lab work.
Clinical hours for each of the clinical methods courses are 3:1 ratio of hours to credits.
Clinical outplacement courses are a 5:1 ratio of hours to credits.

Subject to change.

 

§All courses are delivered online with the exception of:

RS 411 Exercise Physiology –This course is hybrid but can be offered with an alternative option for lab toÌýbe completed online for students who live outside of the 91ÖÆƬ³§ area.

CHM 300 Chemistry I and CHM 400 Chemistry II –These courses are on ground but can be taken at another university and credits transferred to 91ÖÆƬ³§.

Pre-DPT students only – Terms XI and XII will be hybrid. Please see PTA Bridge to DPT program for further details.

 

Q&A and Technical Standards

Questions & Answers

 

 

  1. When do my classes meet?
    Online courses offer you flexibility in the scheduling of your class and study time. However, online courses also require self-discipline and self-motivation to do the work that is expected of the course. Despite this flexibility, you are required to login to your course regularly as described in the course syllabus. There are required weekly assignments with specific due dates (see course syllabus).ÌýOnline courses require the same amount of work as an on-campus course. However, the time you spend in an online course will be different than in a traditional on-campus course. For example, less time will be spent on driving to and from campus and limited time that will be spent on campus during clinical/skills immersion.ÌýIn addition, to achieve your bachelor’s degree, you will take a total of approximately fifteen liberal arts courses, which will be scheduled around your program schedule over the course of your entire program. Each liberal arts course meets approximately four hours per week. Liberal arts courses are offered days, evenings, and Saturdays.ÌýAt the beginning of each term you will receive a detailed schedule giving the exact time and location of all your classes. The College requires that all students be prepared to take classes and receive services at any of 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s locations where the appropriate classes and services are offered.ÌýWhen a regularly scheduled class falls on a day which is an 91ÖÆƬ³§ observed holiday (Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Memorial Day), an alternate class will be scheduled as a make up for that class. The make-up class may fall on a Friday. It is the student’s responsibility to take note of when and where classes are offered.Ìý
  2. How large will my classes be?The average size for a class is about 15 to 20 students; however, larger and smaller classes occur from time to time.
  3. How much time will I spend in lab?Almost half of your liberal arts courses consist of laboratory work. In order for you to get the most out of your laboratory experiences, you will first receive a thorough explanation of the theory behind your lab work.
  4. Where do my classes meet?Students should be prepared to attend classes at any of 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s classroom facilities: either at the Post Road, Access Road, or East Greenwich campus.Ìý
  5. How longÌýshould it take me to complete my program?ÌýÌýTo complete your degree requirements in the shortest possible time, you should take the courses outlined in the prescribed curriculum. For a typical six-term curriculum, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 18 months.ÌýTo complete all your degree requirements in the shortest time, you should take at least one liberal arts course each term.ÌýStudents wishing to extend the number of terms needed to complete the required technical courses in their curriculum will be assessed additional tuition and fees.Ìý
  6. Is 91ÖÆƬ³§ accredited? 91ÖÆƬ³§ is accredited by the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles 91ÖÆƬ³§ to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s catalog.Ìý

  7. Can I transfer credits earned at another college to 91ÖÆƬ³§?
    Transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered upon receipt of an official transcript for any program, biology, science, and mathematics courses in which the student has earned a “C” or above within the past three years and for English or humanities courses in which the student has earned a “C” or above within the last ten years. An official transcript from the other institution must be received before the end of the first week of the term for transfer credit to be granted for courses to be taken during that term. Students will receive a tuition reduction for the approved technical courses based on the program rate and will be applied against the final technical term of the curriculum’s tuition amount. No tuition credit is provided for courses which are not a part of the technical curriculum.Ìý
  8. Can I transfer the credits I earn at 91ÖÆƬ³§ to another college?
    The transferability of a course is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Office of Teaching and Learning for further information.Ìý
  9. What is the “Feinstein Enriching America” Program?
    91ÖÆƬ³§ Institute of Technology is the proud recipient of a grant from the Feinstein Foundation. To satisfy the terms of the grant, the College has developed a one-credit community enrichment course which includes hands-on community enrichment projects. The course can be taken for a few hours per term, spread over several terms. Students who are already engaged in community enrichment on their own may be able to count that service towards course credit.Ìý

  10. How many credits do I need to acquire my Financial Aid? Students entering the program will be eligible for various forms of financial aid, including loans. See your financial aid officer for additional details. The program has enough credits each semester to apply for financial aid.Ìý
  11. What does my program cost?

    The cost of your program will be as outlined in your enrollment agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials. Students who decide to take more terms than the enrollment agreement describes to complete the technical courses in their curriculum will be subject to additional fees and possible additional tuition costs. Students who elect to take the technical portion of the degree requirements at a rate faster than the rate prescribed in the curriculum and the enrollment agreement will be assessed additional tuition.Ìý

    Students who require prerequisite courses will incur additional tuition and fees above those outlined in their enrollment agreement.Ìý

    If a student elects to take a course(s) outside of the prescribed curriculum, additional tuition and fees will be assessed.Ìý

    Remember, students who withdraw and re-enter, one time only, pay the tuition rate that was in effect for them at the time of their last day of attendance for up to one year from their last day of attendance. Second re-entrees and beyond pay the tuition rate in effect at the time they re-enter. The most economical way for you to complete your college degree is to begin your program now and continue your studies straight through for the six terms necessary to complete your degree requirements.Ìý

  12. What kind of employment assistance does 91ÖÆƬ³§ offer? ÌýThe Career Services Office assists 91ÖÆƬ³§ students and graduates in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers has existedÌýas a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and 91ÖÆƬ³§ does not guarantee to its graduates employment or a specific starting salary.ÌýÌý

  13. Where will job opportunities exist?Graduates have obtained employment in the local area. However, one of the most exciting aspects of this program is the ability to look nationally for employment opportunities.Ìý
  14. What are the entry requirements for theÌýprogram?An associate’s degree in PTA is required for acceptance to the program.Ìý
  15. Will advisors be available to me?
    Yes. Students in the BS PTA program will be assigned a Student Success Coordinator from the Office of Student Support Services.ÌýThe 91ÖÆƬ³§ Tech Student Success Coordinator provides guidance, encouragement and support to students and is the primary point of contact for all student concerns and information about 91ÖÆƬ³§ policies and procedures. From the individual student’s perspective, the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Student Success Coordinator is the student’s college-wide advisor on all matters related to success at the university. A Student Success Coordinator assists students who are experiencing difficulties with their course work or who encounter problems that interfere with the successful completion of their program. Student Success Coordinators monitor students’ attendance and academic progress and contact students as needed. The Student Success Coordinator’s outreach to the students may include emails to students and, as needed, individual phone calls. Students may meet with their Student Success Coordinator for a degree audit and for assistance with course selection and registration. Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations must self-identify, communicate their needs to their Student Success Coordinator and provide current and comprehensive documentation concerning the nature and extent of their disability. Accommodations must be requested at the start of each term, regardless of previous term status.Ìý
  16. What are the hardware and software requirements for the program?

    Ìý

    Recommended Minimum
    Operating System: Windows 10 or Macintosh OS X (10.14)
    Processor: 2+ GHz
    Memory: 4GB
    Plug-ins: Adobe PDF Reader, Flash Adobe PDF Reader, Flash, and others as required by specific courses
    Players: QuickTime, Java Player, Java
    Browser: Chrome, IE, Safari, Edge, Firefox (all latest versions)
    Display: 1024×768
    Software: Office 365 (2016)
    Internet Connection: FiOS/DSL/CABLE DSL/CABLE
    Email Account: 91ÖÆƬ³§ Tech student email account
    Sound Card: Required
    Other (some programs): •A webcam (the one built into your laptop or iPad should be fine)

    •A microphone (built into the computer or headset is handy).

    •A digital camera (the one on a smart phone is fine).

    Online students must be capable of installing and maintaining their own computer’s hardware and software. 91ÖÆƬ³§ does not assist students with the setup of their computers.

    Information about obtaining the software (if any) will be made available to you at the start of each course.

  17. Do I need special computer skills to take an online course?
    You will need basic familiarity with your computer, for example: emailing, using the Web, and downloading and attaching documents. No special equipment is required – just a modern Windows or Mac computer (see specifications above), an office suite such as Microsoft Office, and a broadband internet connection.

     

    91ÖÆƬ³§ online courses are designed to help acclimate you to the technology and build your skills and your confidence as you go. We provide 24×7 support via phone, email, or chat to help you with computer or online system issues. Tablet or Chromebook computers can be useful for doing course readings, but may be limited in accessing all material offered on the learning management system used by the university. A desktop or laptop computer is recommended.

  18. How can I get help with my coursework when needed?
    There are several ways that you can get the help you need with your coursework. First, your instructor will be available to you through email, Zoom, and the phone; second, your Student Success Coordinator is also available through email, chat, and the phone; and finally, the Academic Skills Center will be available via email and the phone. PLEASE NOTE: It is important for both your personal and professional growth that you do all the work yourself. 91ÖÆƬ³§ Tech has a strict Academic Integrity Policy that is part of every course syllabus.
  19. How do I get help from other university departments?
    At the beginning of each term, you will receive a list of contact information for every university service. The list includes where you can find each service such as the university catalog and URL, the name and contact information for the individual responsible for each service such as the telephone number and email address and the hours when each service is available. Examples of services include the Academic Skills Center, the Bookstore, the Career Services Office, the Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, Student Advisors from the Office of Student Support Services, Library, Student Accounts, Office of Teaching and Learning and the Response Desk.
  20. How much time should I expect to dedicate to an online course?

    91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s policy regarding the amount of work expected of a student is like all other colleges and universities. The number of credit hours assigned to coursework is related to the academic time a student is expected to spend in direct faculty instruction and out-of-class work, and reasonably approximates one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately ten weeks for one hour of credit; or at least an equivalent amount of work for other academic activities as established by 91ÖÆƬ³§ including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other academic work, such as study and exam preparation time, leading to the award of credit hours.

  21. Where do I go for help with technical issues?
    The Response Desk is available through email and the phone. Please realize the Response Desk can only help you with access to your online account. The Response Desk cannot help you with any software or hardware issues with your personal computer. Refer to the Office Hours document that is available in each of your Canvas courses for specific contact information as well as hours of operation.
  22. How do I buy textbooks?
    Students may purchase their textbooks either through the bookstore or through online merchants. Your professor will provide the course syllabus to you prior to the start of class to allow you time to purchase the textbooks. Textbook information for all courses is available through the bookstore prior to the start of the course. Please review the contact information for the bookstore in the Office Hours document.
  23. Are there attendance and participation requirements?
    Yes. Students are required to be actively engaged for 80% of class time, which includes all course activities (e.g., discussion boards, assignments, synchronous meetings, etc.). Students who fail to do so may be subject to failure of the course. See the Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Technology student manual and each individual course syllabus for specifics regarding the attendance policies.
  24. How will I submit my course assignments and take exams?
    You will receive information from your professor about how to submit your assignments through the Canvas learning management system. You may be asked to take online or web-based quizzes and exams, submit papers online, engage in group work, or prepare a portfolio of your work online. Your professor will notify you of all testing and assignment submission requirements.
  25. Will I have a course professor?
    Yes, each professor has developed and will facilitate each course. Professors are essential to online learning at 91ÖÆƬ³§ Institute of Technology. All professors are trained to teach online. In the online setting, professors devote as much time to communicating with the class as they do in the traditional classroom. They log in regularly to respond to questions, direct discussion and evaluate assignments. They will meet with students as outlined in the syllabus for the course, and as needed with individual students.
  26. Will I interact with other students?

    Yes. You will interact with other students in all your online courses. Through online discussions, email, and other group activities, you can develop an electronic peer network and participate in discussion forums and online study groups. Courses which include synchronous meetings will allow you to meet and work with your peers.

Ìý