Welcome Message from

the Director of Physical

Therapy

Thank you for your interest in Grand Valley State University’s Clinical Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. The mission of the Physical Therapy at GVSU is “to advance the profession of physical therapy through excellence in education, scholarship and service," which is put into practice everyday of the program. 

 Our classes are offered in a variety of educational styles from traditional lecture format to collaborate problem-based learning small groups to experience in the clinical setting.  Our faculty continually evolve their teaching methods to best suite the students while also challenging them.  Our program is dedicated to evidence-based learning and practice with all faculty involved in research and many continue to practice clinically. 

  Clinical internships provide our students with real clinical experience under the supervision of licensed physical therapists.  Students get the opportunity to further practice their knowledge and skills while serving the underserved of Grand Rapids, MI at 4 student coordinated and serviced pro-bono clinics

  This excellence and commitment continues into the research that each student is involved in the program.  Students partake in a variety of research topics which include nutrition, vestibular rehabilitation, safe patient handling, manual therapy techniques, the role of physical therapy aides in the clinic, the risk of fracture in osteoporotic women, and individual case studies, among many others. 

  Students often list numerous reasons for attending GVSU’s DPT program.  Their top 10 reasons include:

• Faculty credentials include 5 with PhD, EdD, and JD; and 7 with clinical specialization in orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, and manual therapy

• 40 + Adjunct Faculty

• Completely revised curriculum that includes research experience for all students

• Potential for publication of student research

• 3 advanced electives (sports PT, spinal manual therapy, and neurologic PT)

• 38 weeks of full-time clinical internship in 5 settings across the United States

• Ability to volunteer and coordinate Pro-Bono Clinics

• State of the art facility and equipment

• 4 major hospitals close-by to provide educational experiences

• 100% pass-rate on National Physical Therapy Licensure Examination

           We look forward to discussing our program with you and welcome any questions or suggestions you may have.  Please feel free to contact us through the College of Health Professions at chpdept@gvsu.edu  or 616.331.3356.

 Sincerely,

    John Peck

 Dr. John Peck, PT, PhD 

 Professor and Director of Physical Therapy