Department of Physical Therapy
Core Values/Goals/Strategies
2002-2007

Core Value 1- The faculty are dedicated to excellence in teaching using a student-centered approach.
Goal 1.1		Program graduates will demonstrate the scientific knowledge and skill in the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and instruction of persons of all ages with movement disorders.
Strategy 1.1.1.		Continue the development of course web enhancements to augment material presented in class and other resources.
Strategy 1.1.2.		Develop exchanges with other faculty in the College of Health Professions and the University about teaching approaches.
Strategy 1.1.3.		Develop audiovisual materials to support teaching activities.
Strategy 1.1.4.		Continue the emphasis on evidence based practice in discussions and laboratory sessions.
Goal 1.2		Program graduates will demonstrate skills in clinical documentation and professional communication.
Strategy 1.2.1.		Continue the integration of clinical documentation skills into cases.
Goal 1.3		Program graduates will demonstrate an orientation toward health and wellness and the skills required for the develop programs for the prevention of disease, injuries, and disabilities.
Strategy 1.3.1.		Incorporate discussions of wellness and injury prevention in each case.
Strategy 1.3.2.		Expand the discussion of health promotion, fitness and injury prevention activities for the general population throughout the lifespan.
Goal 1.4		Program graduates will be independent, critical thinkers and clinical problem solvers.
Strategy 1.4.1.		Continue teaching using case based clinical problem solving approach.
Strategy 1.4.2.		Continue the emphasis on the use of evidence in clinical decision making.
Goal 1.5		Program graduates will be effective team members and assume leadership positions in the health care delivery system.
Strategy 1.5.1.		Coordinate leadership development activities for students with the Leadership Institute initiative.
Goal 1.6		Program graduates will participate and assume leadership roles in local, state and national professional organizations.
Strategy 1.6.1.		Faculty will act as role models in their participation in the activities of their professional organizations and in service to their professional organizations.
Goal 1.7		Program graduates will be clinical scholars.
Strategy 1.7.1.		Continue the critical evaluation of research studies in a number of courses.
Strategy 1.7.2.		Increase the course activities that stimulate the students to question existing theory and practice.
Strategy 1.7.2.		Stimulate the ability to develop research questions and an interest in conducting clinical research.
Goal 1.8		Graduates will be involved in continued professional development by participation through formal continuing education and other forms of lifelong learning.
Strategy 1.8.1.		Faculty will act as role models in their conducting and participation in continuing education activities.
Core Value 2- Faculty participate in scholarly activities as a foundation for providing improvements in clinical practice, the advancement of professional knowledge and the improvement of instruction and learning.
Goal 2.1	The Program will support scholarly activity that will increase the quality and cost effectiveness of physical therapy practice.
Strategy 2.1.1.	Develop collaborative research activities among the Physical Therapy faculty and with faculty in different departments and colleges.
Strategy 2.1.2.	Explore coordinated research activities with clinicians at area health care facilities for both faculty and student research projects.
Strategy 2.1.3.	Faculty involvement in the scholarship of teaching roundtable.
Strategy 2.1.4.	Develop an interdisciplinary journal club for both faculty and community participants.
Core Value 3- The College of Health Professions values active communication with the service areas and the professional communities. This includes communication both for understanding the needs of the service area and the professional communities and for publicizing educational opportunities available at AASU. Coupled with this is a commitment of the faculty to distinction in community and professional service, and responsiveness to the needs of the service area and professional community.
Goal 3.1	The Program will enhance the continued professional development of physical therapy practitioners in the areas of patient care and clinical research.
Strategy 3.1.1.	Continue the 2-3 hour continuing education workshops.
Strategy 3.1.2.	Explore coordinated research activities with clinicians at area health care facilities for both faculty and student research projects.
Strategy 3.1.3.	Develop an interdisciplinary journal club for both faculty and community participants.
Goal 3.2	The Program will support faculty in activities to benefit the greater community.
Strategy 3.2.1.	Increase faculty involvement in community activities such as the Stroke Project and community organizations associated with the treatment and prevention of disease.
Strategy 3.2.2.	Coordinate employer and clinician focus groups to gain a better understanding of the health care community needs.
Goal 3.3	The Program will support professional organizations related to physical therapy and physical therapy education.
Strategy 3.3.1.	Promote and fund faculty, student and alumni involvement in professional organizations.
Strategy 3.3.2.	Establish a formal alumni association.
Strategy 3.3.3.	Reinvigorate the pre-physical therapy club, Rho Tau.
Core Value 4- The faculty believe that it is important to examine, and where appropriate, implement innovative strategies in education, scholarship, and community service.
Goal 4.1	The Program will provide an effective faculty development plan that will improve faculty clinical and/or didactic skills.
Strategy 4.1.1.	Involve all faculty in a goal setting activity which will mirror University, College and Departmental goals.
Goal 4.2	The Department will develop a DPT degree at AASU.
Strategy 4.2.1.	Attend workshops and presentations on the DPT degree.
Strategy 4.2.2.	Begin discussion with other physical therapy programs in the University System of Georgia exploring the nature of the DPT and possibility of developing the DPT in USG schools.

Link to COHP Strategic Plan
Links to Strategic Plans of other COHP Departments:
Dental Hygiene Health Science	Nursing Medical Technology Physical Therapy	Radiologic Sciences Respiratory Therapy