About Our Department
The Department of Physical Therapy is home to 70 undergraduate students, 50 graduate students and eight full-time faculty members immersed in the hands-on study of human physiology, movement and healing. For Clarkson undergraduates, we offer a pre-physical therapy concentration, which can be completed alongside any other major. Successful completion of the pre-physical therapy concentration guarantees you a spot in the graduate-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program (DPT), the highest degree available in the field.
In all physical-therapy courses, you’ll engage in Problem-Based Learning under the guidance and support of experienced faculty. Additionally, DPT students will complete four clinical internships covering the broad diversity of physical-therapy specialties. Our DPT graduates consistently achieve a near-perfect pass rate on licensing exams and a 100% placement rate within six months of graduation.
Our Philosophy
We believe that physical therapy is the application of the science of human movement to help people maintain and enhance their activity level and their participation in social activities. We believe that our work helps people to live fuller, richer lives.
Our Mission
Our mission as a department is twofold:
- to graduate physical therapists who are autonomous practitioners who emulate the core values of our profession.
- to contribute as students, faculty and alumni to the physical-therapy profession and to society through education, research and practice.
Our Values
While courses leading to a Clarkson degree vary widely in content from one program to another, at the heart of our educational process are the Clarkson Values that shape the growth of every student and unite us as a community.
Our Faculty
The Department of Physical Therapy’s full-time faculty members bring decades of clinical experience and scholarly vision to the classroom. Because classes are small and problem-based, you’ll work closely with your professors, forming a partnership to ensure your success. Some of our faculty members recently received awards and recognition for their contributions to the field:
- George Fulk, assistant professor of physical therapy, received the New York Physical Therapy Association 2010 Robert Salant Award for his clinical research with stroke victims.
- Deanna Errico, clinical assistant professor of physical therapy, received two awards in 2009: the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association Sheehan Award — the organization’s highest honor — and the Presidential Award from the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Learn more about physical therapy, schedule a visit or apply now.
Related Links:
Prof. George Fulk
Prof. George Fulk was the recipient of the New York Physical Therapy Association 2010 Robert Salant Award in the area of clinical research. He was honored for his platform presentation titled "Identifying different functional postures in people with stroke using pressure and acceleration data from a shoe based sensor." The abstract will be published in Empire State Physical Therapy.
Prof. Fulk was also named the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus from Nova Southeastern University College of Allied Health and Nursing. His primary area of expertise is physical therapy management of patients with neurological disorders. He has published research and given many presentations related to physical therapy management of patients with neurological disorders particularly stroke.
