Program Goals & Statements

Mission Statement

The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Charleston Southern University is to prepare highly skilled practitioners in a Christian environment who demonstrate compassionate evidence-based clinical care while serving their community and profession with humility.

Vision Statement

The Department of Physical Therapy at Charleston Southern University will embody biblical values and be a nationally recognized leader in academic excellence, compassionate service, and advanced clinical care.

• Academic Excellence: The Department will employ faculty who are recognized for their depth and breadth of expertise in content areas. The students will be encouraged to perform at their highest level to set the stage for lifelong learning. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).
• Compassionate Service: The Department will volunteer consultative services to the people of the Lowcountry and around the globe. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Advanced Clinical Care: The faculty and graduates of the DPT Program will provide integrated professional and autonomous care to people across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare arenas. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10).

Program Goals

The primary goal of the Department of Physical Therapy at CSU is to produce graduates who will be recognized for their leadership, integrity, evidence-based care, service, and professionalism in a variety of clinical environments. Specifically, the following goals have been established:

Goal 1: Faculty and students will contribute to the clinical and scientific advancement of the profession.

Goal 2: Faculty and students will advocate for the physical therapy profession through active involvement in the community and organizational membership.

Goal 3: Students will practice in a professional, legal, and ethical manner that is consistent with the APTA code of ethics, state practice acts, and the values of service, compassion, and humility.

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate examination, evaluation, and intervention skills necessary for evidence-based, entry-level practice.

Goal 5: Graduates will develop and internalize the personal value of lifelong learning and will describe a plan to maintain contemporary expertise in their clinical practice.