Filling the classses

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Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 3:57:00 AM

mcap

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Joined: February 8, 2000
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Just curious.....

Has anyone heard any information about programs closing or the sizes of classes being reduced at local PT programs. I am hearing indirectly that enrollment is shrinking but tell me what you know.

Thanks,
Mcap

Post #: 1

Re: Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 5:53:00 AM

Andrew M. Ball MS MBA PT

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Joined: September 30, 2001
From: Chapel Hill
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Mcap,

Of the three schools that I'm involved with at the moment, none are having difficulty filling classes per se, and the quality of students hasn't dropped off . . . but where as several years ago there were 300 students competing for 30 slots, there are now about 50 to 60 competing for 40 to 45 slots.

Keep in mind though that of the three schools that I work with, all three are either DPT programs or moving in that direction within the next year or two, and two (if not all three) are considered to be within the top 10 (if not top 5) physical therapy schools in the country.

I suspect that situations are not quite as bright the further one gets from this Mecca of physical therapy education.

Drew

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 2

Re: Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 6:51:00 AM

mcap

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Drew:

Thanks........

Mcap

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 3

Re: Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 6:53:00 AM

mcap

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One more thing.....

I believe you when you say the quality hasn't dropped off.....

BUT how is this possible when going from 300 to 45-60.

Mcap

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 4

Re: Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 8:06:00 AM

SandyPT

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Joined: May 24, 1999
From: Boston, MA
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One of our local Universities has a Cooperative Education program that supplies students on 3-6 mos assisgnments to work as aides at many facilities. For the first time we got a letter telling us that they no longer have enough students to meet demand. So far we have been able to fill our spot but it was something I never even thought about in years past. A sign of declining enrollment in the PT program.

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 5

Re: Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 12:13:00 PM

jma

Posts: 2414
Joined: August 24, 2000
From: NY
Status: offline

Hello,
I too am hearing about the decline in enrollment into PT programs. Perhaps, the transition from a Master's to a DPT program is one reason but I don't think its the only one. Something else may be at work here. Promotion, salary, job ladder to higher positions, no salary increase based on experience but title change, reimbursement issues? There are probably other reasons that I have not mentioned. All combined might be playing a role in decreased enrollment. Sign of the times?

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 6

Re: Filling the classses - November 14, 2001 3:12:00 PM

bonmar

Posts: 137
Joined: August 15, 2000
From: Boston, MA
Status: offline

I know of a PTA program that has been dropped at a local college this past year. The reason was lack of PTA job opportunities.

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 7

Re: Filling the classses - November 17, 2001 3:35:00 AM

jma

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Joined: August 24, 2000
From: NY
Status: offline

Hello,
I have never heard of a PTA program being closed do to lack of job positions in the particular area where that program was located. Nothing else was involved? Lack of student enrollment? Hmmm. If this is the case, I wonder if it will be long when a PT program closes for the same reason, if not accompanied with other factors. Thank you for sharing this info.

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 8

Re: Filling the classses - November 22, 2001 4:37:00 PM

jma

Posts: 2414
Joined: August 24, 2000
From: NY
Status: offline

Hello again,
There was an interesting article in the Nov. 19th issue of the Advance called, "PT Programs, Boom or Doom". Although it does not talk about the reason why there is a decline in enrollment, it does talk about its impact on PT schools. Check it out.

(in reply to mcap)

Post #: 9