THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:	The Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
SUBJECT:	Regents Permission to Award the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Degree at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn
DATE:	May 1, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:	2
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Consent Agenda

 

Should the Regents authorize the State University of New York Board of Trustees to award the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn (SUNY-HSC, Brooklyn)?

 

Reason for Consideration

 

Required by State statute.

 

Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its May meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It will then come before the full Board at its May meeting for final action.

 

Procedural History

 

Section 355 of the Education Law requires Regents permission for the institution to award a new degree.

 

 

Background Information

 

At its March 13, 2006 meeting, the State University of New York Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to seek Regents authorization to award the D.P.T. degree for students successfully completing the Physical Therapy program at SUNY-HSC, Brooklyn.  The Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy program is replacing the licensure-qualifying Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Physical Therapy program.  The existing program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.  The proposed B.S./D.P.T. program meets the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

 

Recommendation

 

The Regents should authorize the SUNY Board of Trustees to award the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree to students who complete the Physical Therapy program at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn because the entry-level education for physical therapy has moved from the master’s degree to the first professional degree level.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

This approval will be effective until May 31, 2007, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case Regents permission shall be without term.