Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Faculty Contact Info

Mission Statement

The mission of Freed-Hardeman University’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program is to equip students with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship, and service in order to provide holistic healthcare services to individuals and communities throughout the world. By growing in knowledge through dedicated faculty and a comprehensive curriculum focused on contemporary practice, the program will prepare graduates to serve as competent and ethical physical therapists assistants working under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical therapist. 

The mission of the PTA program supports the University’s mission in that it exists to provide an excellent healthcare education permeated with Christian values whose graduates are morally and spiritually prepared to provide safe, evidence-based contemporary care and render professional services to individuals, churches, communities, and the world.

Goal 1. The program will prepare graduates to be competent and ethical physical therapist assistants able to serve their communities by working under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

Goal 2. Program students and graduates will demonstrate appropriate professionalism with patients, program faculty, and other healthcare providers.

Goal 3. Program graduates will be prepared to communicate in a culturally competent manner with patients and caregivers from diverse backgrounds.

Goal 4. Program faculty will provide a high-quality learning environment and a comprehensive curriculum based on contemporary, evidence-based physical therapy. 

Goal 5. The program will integrate Christian faith, scholarship, and service to prepare students for a lifetime of service and achievement.

CAPTE Accreditation

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; accreditation@apta.org is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states. 

Effective July 19, 2022, Freed-Hardeman University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Dr. Ashley Prentice, Program Director, at 731-989-6097 or email aprentice@fhu.edu. 

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

COMPLAINT PROCESS

If a complaint occurs about a student while on a clinical education experience, complaints regarding the student should first be addressed to the Director of Clinical Education, Brian Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn may be contacted at bvaughn@fhu.edu or by phone at 731-989-6560.

If a complaint falls outside of due process, complaints regarding the program should be first addressed to the PTA Program Director, Dr. Ashley Prentice. Dr. Prentice may be contacted at aprentice@fhu.edu or by phone at 731-989-6097.

Unresolved complaints or complaints about the PTA Program Director should be directed to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. LeAnn Davis. Dr. Davis may be reached at ldavis@fhu.edu or by phone at 731-989-6931.

All complaints will be documented, including the projected outcome, and kept on file at the program facility. All complaints will be stored in a locked filing cabinet located in the program director’s office.

Complaints regarding Accreditation of this program should be addressed to the Commission for Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education. This Commission is located at 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia, 22305.

No retaliation will occur by the program or university to any individual filing a complaint regarding Freed-Hardeman University’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program or the faculty that staff the program.