Young Harris College Pathway Program Bridges the Gap for DPT Students
September 20, 2023Young Harris College in the mountains of North Georgia and PCOM Georgia in metro Atlanta recently signed a winning agreement for undergraduate students interested
in becoming physical therapists.
“This agreement with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a great moment
here at Young Harris College,” said Drew Van Horn, PhD, president of Young Harris
College. “Partnering with a reputable institution like PCOM Georgia allows us to offer
educational opportunities to students in the physical therapy field. This partnership
expands our ability to offer more options for students in this region interested in
this field of medicine.”
“Young Harris College continually looks for opportunities to expand our students’
chances to advance their learning and development,” Dr. Van Horn added. “An agreement
like this with PCOM Georgia helps us meet a healthcare need in an area we previously
could not. It’s a win-win for the College and students.”
Ruth M. Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, professor and chair of the PCOM Georgia physical therapy department, said, “With
a significant national shortage of physical therapists, the affiliation agreement between PCOM Georgia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program
and Young Harris College couldn't be timelier.”
She added, “Our institutions’ missions and values are very much aligned regarding
education, service to society, and improving the quality of life for our communities.
In addition, Young Harris College’s focus on encouraging intellectual curiosity, the
pursuit of intellectual inquiry, and fostering open-minded and inquisitive learners
is very much valued and a vision we share. These traits predict success in a Doctor
of Physical Therapy program and physical therapy profession as they enrich and promote
critical thinking and clinical reasoning.”
The educational institutions agreed to identify prospective physical therapists by
their sophomore year of college so that PCOM Georgia could introduce them to the Doctor
of Physical Therapy program. PCOM Georgia agreed to admit up to three Young Harris
College students per year into the program. The agreement requires the students to
have successfully completed their undergraduate prerequisites for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and fulfilled the requirements for admission
to PCOM Georgia.
Among the eligibility requirements for the PCOM Georgia Doctor of Physical Therapy
program are:
- Completion of undergraduate course requirements and all requirements for a baccalaureate
degree
- US citizenship or permanent residence
- A 3.5 cumulative and science cumulative average
- A minimum score of 150 on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE) and a minimum score of 3.0 on the analytical writing section
of the GRE
PCOM Georgia’s physical therapy program develops practitioners who take a holistic
approach to patient care in a field that transforms lives. Physical therapists are
evidence-based movement experts who use critical thinking and clinical reasoning to
treat their patients across their lifespan. The doctoral program emphasizes a commitment
to lifelong learning and growth. Not only are physical therapists in high demand,
but research indicates that they achieve a high level of job satisfaction as they
work with individuals to improve quality of life.
Young Harris students who attend PCOM Georgia will continue to experience the benefits
of a small campus, focusing on student success. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program
offers small class sizes, state-of-the-art learning facilities, and several interprofessional
educational opportunities, culminating in a diverse and vibrant learning environment
that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and ethical leadership, empowering
students to reach their full potential.
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution
located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically
affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires,
and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal
arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts;
Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately
1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College
is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in Conference
Carolinas. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
About PCOM Georgia
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private,
not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year
history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County),
PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical
therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science
and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in
helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach
to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education
and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center,
an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment.
For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Contact Us
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
Office: 678-225-7532 | Cell: 470-572-7558
Connect with PCOM Georgia