Mission, Goals & Philosophy

To graduate highly competent self-reflective physical therapists that practice evidence-based physical therapy, who are patient advocates and leaders in the community and the profession, and who prepared to treat a diverse population of clients and pursue professional development opportunities.

To advance physical therapy practice and education through development and application of evidence-based practice and the pursuit of clinical, educational and translational research.

To develop and deliver innovative models of physical therapy practice to serve the health needs of diverse patient populations locally and globally, to provide students opportunity to apply education to practice, and set the standards of practice for the profession.

Graduates of the Physical Therapy Program will be able to:

1. Apply the best evidence in reflective decision-making, skilled performance and professional behavior to basic principles within patient-client management to achieve optimal outcomes.
2. Participate in holistic, interprofessional, patient centered care to meet patient’s diverse needs and perspectives.
3. Pursue professional development opportunities throughout their professional career.
4. Engage in leadership and advocacy roles in diverse patient and professional environments.

Faculty in the Physical Therapy Program:

1. Promote a culture of teaching excellence through application and use of best pedagogical and andragogical practice.
2. Engage in interprofessional teaching and model interprofessional practice.

Each core faculty member maintains an active scholarly agenda and disseminates their work in peer reviewed venues. 

Faculty engage in leadership and advocacy in diverse patient and / or professional environments.

Our philosophy guides our educational choices. In the Physical Therapy (PT) Department at Thomas Jeferson University, the faculty believe that:

• Engaging Students in the learning process facilitates integration and retention of knowledge.
• Teaching and learning are essential components of physical therapy practice. 
• Engaging in reflection and integration of feedback as students fosters their development as reflective practitioners and life-long learners.
• Affective learning can be influenced through interaction with the faculty as role models.
• Engaging in leadership and advocacy roles and interacting with diverse populations are important to develop professionalism.
• Evidence-based practice is essential to provide contemporary, quality patient/ client centered care.
• A foundation of basic sciences and theories within the context of human movement is essential for the development of clinical reasoning in physical therapy practice.
• An understanding of the body systems is critical to physical therapy practice.
• Effective patient care relies on a holistic approach that integrates information about patients’ diverse needs and perspectives.
• Understanding the importance of health equity is essential to meet the needs of diverse populations.