Established in 1958, the College of Health Profes-sions was the first college in the United States dedi-cated to educating students in the health professions. Today, it is one of the largest and most diversified health education institutions in the country, offering undergraduate programs in occupational therapy and rehabilitative services and a three-year physical therapy program leading to the MPT degree. Students receive the Bachelor of Health Science degree after success-fully completing their junior and senior years. They receive the Master of PT degree after completing the graduate year.

        For individuals who already have a bachelor’s de-gree, the college offers master’s degrees in occupa-tional therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation coun-seling and health administration. Finally, there are doctoral degrees in clinical and health psychology, health services research, rehabilitation science and audiology.

        The college is committed to excellence in health education.  Students in health professions must acquire knowledge and skills that weren’t necessary for suc-cess even a few years ago, such as an understanding of managed care and the business of efficient, cost-effective health care delivery. The College of Health Professions incorporates both discipline specific and interdisciplinary education to prepare students to work in a rapidly changing and diverse health care system.

        Students benefit from access to patients and staff in a variety of training settings, ranging from prevention to chronic care. For example, the college has affilia-tions with community and rural health care facilities throughout the state such as the Shands Hospital net-work, which includes acute and subacute care, psychi-atric and medical rehabilitation and long-term care.

        The college is part of the Health Science Center, which also includes the Colleges of Dentistry, Medi-cine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. This proximity strengthens our programs by making it possible for our students to learn with other disci-plines.
 
 

Program	Minimum Admission Grade Point Average	Degree Awarded	Minor
Occupational Therapy	3.4 overall GPA 3.4 prerequisite	BHS (major: OT)	no
Physical Therapy	3.5 overall and  prerequisite GPA	BHS (major: Health Science) MPT (major: PT)	no
Rehabilitative Services	3.0 prerequisite GPA 3.0 overall	BHS (major: Health Science)	no

Student Organizations

        Students are eligible for membership in several so-cieties. In addition, the program disciplines have pro-fessional organizations that students are eligible to join.

The Student Occupational Therapy Association is a campus organization, and membership is open to all students. Student memberships in the Florida Occupa-tional Therapy Association and the American Occupa-tional Therapy Association also are available.

The Student Physical Therapy Association is open to all students registered at the UF.

        Students who are interested in rehabilitative serv-ices are eligible to join the National Rehabilitation Association. Students in rehabilitative services auto-matically become members of the University Rehabili-tation Association.
In addition to professional organizations, all stu-dents in the college can participate in the College Council. The council is the primary interdisciplinary student group in the college and is involved in a variety of college and community service projects.

Alpha Eta Society

        Alpha Eta Society is a national honor society for students in the health professions. The university’s chapter was the charter member of the society. Alpha Eta is an officially recognized campus organization and the first of its kind in the country. Members are chosen from any degree-offering division of the college. The society encourages and recognizes scholarly and pro-fessional attainments and promotes the advancement of professional standards in health professions.

Admission

        This section summarizes requirements for admis-sion to the undergraduate programs in this college. Because specific requirements may vary, applicants should contact a college adviser as soon as they iden-tify OT, PT or rehabilitative services as a major to ensure appropriate academic planning.

Request for Information

        Students can find application materials on the col-lege web site at www.hp.ufl.edu. If students have questions about course requirements, they should con-tact the dean’s office and speak with an adviser. Stu-dents who have career questions or need additional information regarding their profession should contact the department directly.

Native Freshmen and Sophomores

        Students can declare a major in one of the college’s undergraduate programs upon admission to the univer-sity. Progression standards include courses completed and cumulative and prerequisite GPA. Meeting mini-mum standards as freshmen and sophomores does not guarantee admission to the professional programs beginning in the junior year.

Native Juniors and Seniors

        A student must have:

• Earned at least 60 semester hours of acceptable college credit with an overall average GPA of 3.0 or higher on all college/university level work at-tempted. (Requirements for OT and PT are higher than the college requirement of 3.0.)
• Completed all prerequisites. These prerequisites are indicated in the universal tracking plans for the freshman and sophomore years
• Passed all required pre-professional courses within the curriculum with an overall average GPA of 3.0 or higher (Pre-professional GPAs for OT and PT are higher than the 3.0 GPA required for the col-lege.), and
• Achieved passing scores on the College Level Academic Skills Test or have received a CLAST waiver.

Transfer Students

        Florida community college students must have:

• Completed all requirements for the A.A. degree to be eligible for admission to the college
• Completed all prerequisites for the undergraduate program with the required GPA, and
• Passed all sections of the College Level Academic Skills Test (or completed a CLAST waiver).

        Students attending four-year colleges whowish to transfer after two years should follow a program of general education and pre-professional courses similar to the curriculum for freshmen and sophomores outlined for each program.

        A selection committee determines eligibility for admission. Admission to the university does not guar-antee admission to any program in this college.

        No more than 60 semester credit hours (96 quarter hours) will be accepted by transfer credit (Refer to Transfer Credit Policy in the Academic Regulations section of the catalog.).

Special Admission Requirements

        Physical therapy requires completion of the Allied Health Professions Admission Test, the GRE and 10 hours of observation in PT. Occupational therapy requires 20 hours of observation in OT. Rehabilitative services requires evidence of commitment to the field, and students are encouraged to volunteer in a human services field. An interview may be required for admis-sion to a major in the College of Health Professions.

        Deadline for application to PT is January 15, and the program begins Summer B.  Deadline for applica-tion to OT is February 1, and the program begins fall semester. Rehabilitative services admits three times per year. Deadline for application is March 1 for the Sum-mer A term, June 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester.

Postbaccalaureate Admission

        Varies by the department and according to the cri-teria listed for each major.

Graduate Programs

        A Master of Health Science is offered in occupa-tional therapy, physical therapy (for students who have an undergraduate PT degree) and rehabilitation coun-seling.

        PT students who are enrolled in the three-year un-dergraduate to graduate program receive a Master of Physical Therapy.  A Master of Health Administration is offered by the Department of Health Services Ad-ministration (in cooperation with the Warrington Col-lege of Business Admin-istration). The Department of Health Services Administration also offers a Ph.D. program in health services research.

        The Department of Clinical and Health Psychol-ogy’s academic program leads to the Ph.D. in psychol-ogy. The department also offers a nationally accredited pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology.

        The Department of Communicative Disorders pro-vides clinical and research opportunities for graduate students in speech language pathology and audiology. It offers a doctorate in audiology (offered jointly with the Department of Communication Sciences and Dis-orders).

        The college also offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in rehabilitation science. Finally, for working profes-sionals the college offers a master of health admini-stration and a doctorate of audiology via distance learning.

All Students

        While the dean and faculty of the college are aware of the need to prepare well-qualified graduates in the various degree programs, limitations in available staff, faculty and clinical facilities oblige the college to limit enrollment. Therefore, admission to this college is selective and satisfaction of minimum requirements, which are listed in this catalog, does not guarantee admission.

        A student’s total record, including educational ob-jectives, courses completed, quality of academic record and knowledge of the field will be considered in evalu-ating an applicant for admission.

General College Requirements

Student Responsibility

        Students are expected to assume full responsibility for registering for the proper courses, for fulfilling all requirements for the degree, for completing all courses and for adhering to all department, program and col-lege policies. Each student should consult an adviser to discuss academic progress.

Computer Requirement

• All students must be in compliance with the univer-sity computer policy. Refer to the university’s home page at http://www.ufl.edu or to the CIRCA web page at http://www.circa.ufl.edu/computers for general computer information as well as a link to the college’s web page for specific requirements for each program.
• All students must have access to a computer to allow them to complete all course work. Students can acquire access through computer purchase, lease or loan.
• All students must have access to a computer with the following capabilities:

In addition, students must meet the following pro-gram requirements:

• Clinical and Health Psychology: Database man-agement capabilities and statistical package soft-ware, such as SPSS or SAS.
• Health Services Administration: Spreadsheet and presentation applications capabilities; students must also meet the MBA computer policy if in-volved in the joint MHA/MBA program.
• Occupational Therapy (graduate students only): Basic statistical software package.
• Communicative Disorders: Spreadsheet capabilities.
• Rehabilitation Counseling (graduate students only): DOT Lookup II or equivalent.
• Rehabilitation Science: basic statistical software package.
• (Note: If your program was not cited, there are no additional requirements.)
• Students are responsible for operating the com-puter system they choose and the software pack-ages required.
• Students are responsible for any repair and are expected to complete assignments on time, regard-less of the state of repair of their computer systems.
• Over the course of a student’s program, computer upgrades are likely. Students are responsible for the upgrades required for curriculum completion.
• Course work may require additional software not already delineated. It is the faculty member’s re-sponsibility to ensure the software requirements are delineated on the class syllabus. Students then are responsible for acquiring the software.
• Students are responsible for printing their materi-als, including the cost. All work completed on the computer must be the student’s original work. Stu-dents may not receive assistance to complete as-signments unless specifically allowed as part of that assignment.
• Copying material from others, such as scanning others’ materials, copying others’ files or discs and/or downloading material from other sources and claiming it as the student’s own work, is strictly prohibited.

        All junior/senior year occupational and physical therapy course work must be taken at UF.  Rehabilita-tive services allows transfer credit for some courses if the department chair or designee has approved.

Summer Attendance

        Physical therapy and occupational therapy require summer classes.

S/U Option

        The S/U option is not permitted for required pre-requisite courses.

Academic Probation and Suspension

        Students not making sufficient progress toward program completion are considered to be off track. Off track status means the student has not met all tracking criteria for the designated term. Students who are off track can be placed on probation or dismissed from the College of Health Professions based on the college’s policy (below), which takes precedence over all de-partment policies.

Freshmen and Sophomores

        1.  All students who are off track at the end of a semester will be required to meet with an academic adviser in the college to determine the steps needed to get back on track. This meeting must occur before the next semester begins, and it is the student’s responsi-bility to schedule this meeting. If the student fails to meet with an adviser before the next semester begins, the student can be dismissed from the college.

        2.  The academic performance of all students who are off track after two semesters will be reviewed by an HP academic adviser. If, in the opinion of the ad-viser, the student could return to on-track status within one additional semester, the student will be placed on college probation.

        The academic performance of all students who are off track after two semesters will be reviewed addi-tionally by the college’s Academic Progression Com-mittee, which will determine whether to place the student on probation or to dismiss the student from the program. If the student has to withdraw (i.e., is dis-missed) from the program, assistance will be offered to select another major either within the college or the university. All students placed on academic probation must meet with a college adviser before registering for the next semester.

        The student and adviser will complete a written contract that details the steps the student must take to get back on track and identifies the timeframe in which these steps must be accomplished. The student and adviser must sign this contract to indicate their agree-ment of the requirements to return to good standing.

        3.  If the student disagrees with any aspect of the contract proposed, these concerns must be stated on the contract before signing. The student and adviser should then attempt to resolve these concerns. If they are unable to reach an agreement, the student has the right, prior to signing the contract, to appeal directly to the Academic Progression Committee.

        This committee reviews all contracts before the fi-nal approval of the associate dean, who serves on and represents this committee. The student’s signature on this contract indicates complete agreement, and further decisions regarding probation and suspension or a return to good standing in the college will be based on progression toward contract requirements. (If a student has a disability precluding reading or signing a written contract, an appropriate alternative will be employed.)

        4.  If a student fails to meet probationary require-ments as specified by the contract and/or is off track after three semesters, the student must withdraw from the major. The student has the right to appeal the deci-sion for dismissal to the dean within one week of noti-fication. Students who must withdraw from the college will be offered assistance in choosing a different major at the university.

        5. Students dismissed from the college who believe they have remediated all college pre-application re-quirements by the deadline for the major have the right to apply for admission. However, suspension from the college can be considered when making admissions decisions.

        6. Regardless of the number of semesters the stu-dent is off track, if a student meets university guide-lines for dismissal, that student will be dismissed con-sistent with university policy.

Juniors and Seniors

        Students must receive at least a C grade in all courses. Unsatisfactory grades, defined as grades lower than a C or grades of unsatisfactory in classes graded S-U, are grounds for probation and/or dismissal from the college.

        1.  If a student in the college receives a grade of D+ or lower in a required course, the student will be placed on academic probation. Faculty will provide an opportunity for the student to make up material through independent study or to repeat the course. If the student receives at least a C in the course for which probation was implemented, the student will return to good standing. If the student receives a D+ or lower while on probation, the student must withdraw from the program.

        2.  If a student receives a D+ or lower in a second required course, the student must withdraw from the program. However, the student has the right to petition this decision. To petition the faculty committee, the student must provide the department chair with a letter stating the reasons that the student should be allowed to repeat the course. Upon successful petition and on a space-available basis, the student will be placed on academic probation and allowed to make up material through independent study or to repeat the course in which the second unsatisfactory grade was received. Following completion of this course with a grade of C or higher, the student can continue in the program. However, if the student again receives a D+ or lower, the student must withdraw from the program. The college will help students choose another major at UF if they withdraw from a health professions major.

        3.  A student who receives a grade lower than a C on any clinical rotation (e.g. fieldwork, practica, clerk-ships, internships, etc.) can be dismissed from the program, regardless of other course grades. (Therefore, #1 above does not apply to students whose first {or second} unsatisfactory grade comes during a clinical rotation.)

        4.  In cases 1-3 above, the individual instructor is responsible for assigning student grades. The depart-ment chair, in consultation with the instructor and department faculty, is responsible for determining whether a student who appeals a dismissal will be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the program. The student will be notified in writing of the chair’s decision concerning academic proba-tion/dismissal.

        If the student is placed on academic probation, the chair, instructor and student will develop a contract to be signed by all three parties. The contract will specify the activities that the student must successfully com-plete to remedy the academic deficiency and the time-frame in which these activities must be completed. Failure to adhere to or meet the terms of the contract will constitute grounds for dismissal from the program. The student will be offered assistance to select a dif-ferent major.

        5.  If the student disagrees with the chair’s decision regarding dismissal or the terms of the probation con-tract, the student may appeal in writing within one week to the college’s Academic Progression Commit-tee, chaired by the associate dean of the college. The committee will review both the chair’s decision and the student’s concerns, and make a determination about academic probation/dismissal. In the event the com-mittee does not reach consensus, the associate dean will make the decision.  Both the student and chair have the right to further appeal to the dean, who will review the case in its entirety and make the final deci-sion.

Drops

        Consistent with UF policy, the college allows two dropped courses for freshmen and sophomores. Stu-dents must follow UF guidelines to drop courses ap-propriately.

        Drops are permitted only in cases of medical emer-gency for juniors and seniors. Courses in PT and OT are offered only once a year, so dropped classes will delay graduation.

Changing Majors

        Freshmen and sophomores wishing to change ma-jors should contact a college adviser. Juniors and seniors wishing to change majors in the college must contact their department adviser. If a student with-draws from the major, specific permission from the department and the college must be given at the time of withdrawal for the student to be eligible to re-enter the college.

Correspondence Study

        Students in occupational therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitative services programs should consult their advisers.

Academic Policies

Health Policy

        The college requires evidence of ability to meet the physical and academic requirements of the program. Personnel in the Department of Student Health will test each health professions student for sensitivity to tuber-culosis. The Department of Student Health will verify immunization against diphtheria, rubella (German measles) and tetanus.

        Students enrolled in physical therapy and occupa-tional therapy programs must be immunized against the Hepatitis B virus. Rehabilitative services students who elect practica in hospital or other patient care settings must also be immunized against Hepatitis B. All stu-dents must be immunized against varicella (chicken pox) or sign a statement indicating they have had chicken pox.

        Each student registered in clinical courses must have hospitalization insurance. Full-time students are eligible for the health insurance plans sponsored by Student Government. Twelve-month coverage may be purchased at the time of registration.

Expenses

        In addition to university tuition and fees, occupa-tional therapy and physical therapy students in the junior and senior years must furnish any uniforms and shoes required for clinical work. Required immuniza-tions and other s expenses are the student’s responsi-bility. Field experience is required in all programs, and students are responsible for financing this portion of their preparation. Costs vary depending upon location of the field assignment, which can be out of state.

Graduation Requirements

        Students must satisfy all degree requirements for their major.

Residence

        All junior/senior level degree requirements must be completed in the college. Students in physical therapy, occupational therapy and rehabilitative services pro-grams should consult their advisers.

Dean’s List

        The Dean’s List recognizes outstanding academic achievement at the completion of each semester. Inclu-sion on the list means that the student has achieved a GPA of 3.65 or higher on at least 12 hours of course work during the fall and spring semesters and six hours of course work in Summer A or B; clinical work (i.e., practica, internships, rotations) is not included.

        Students receiving a final grade of U or a failing grade will not be considered for the Dean’s List, re-gardless of the grade point average.

Honors

        Each program may award honors to outstanding graduates who achieve a minimum 3.65 GPA in the junior/senior years. Individual programs may establish additional criteria.

        For graduation with high or highest honors, the student must achieve a minimum 3.75 or 3.9 GPA, respectively, and in addition, submit a thesis, a re-search project or other creative work. Upon evaluation by the department, college or other responsible group, the student will be recommended for high or highest honors.