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Contact Information:

Physical Therapy - USD School of Health Sciences
Lee Med 302
414 E. Clark
Vermillion, SD 57069
phone: 605-677-5000
fax: 605-677-6745
usdpt@usd.edu

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Last Modified: 09/05/08

Welcome to the Physical Therapy Department!

Physical Therapists are good people to know. They provide a hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating problems related to limited mobility or strength and posture problems, as well as workplace, home or sports injuries and post surgical or accident recovery. Physical Therapists alsoofferpatient education on correct movement, safe and effective exercise and injury prevention.  They understand the intricate interactions of all parts of the body, providing care for infants through seniors - more than a million people each year!

The Physical Therapy program at USD is a three-year graduate course of study leading to a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy.  Graduates are prepared for careers in patient care, education, administration or research.

Our Mission
The mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to provide a professional education which will enable the graduate to enter a variety of practice settings.

• The graduates are prepared to serve individuals living in rural settings within the region who otherwise may not have access to physical therapy services.

• The graduates are prepared to provide primary and secondary care physical therapy in a variety of rural and urban settings.

• The professional development of the graduate emphasizes participation in life-long learning and leadership involvement in the community at large.

The University of South Dakota Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.  USD Physical Therapy was accredited in 1998 and is scheduled for evaluation in 2008.  For more information on accreditation status and filing of complaints, CAPTE may be contacted at:

American Physical Therapy Association
1111 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone:  1-800-999-APTA (2782)
Fax:  703-684-7343
http://www.apta.org

Lana Svien, PhD, PT, Professor & Department Chair
Department of Physical Therapy
Telephone:  605-677-5000
Email:  lsvien@usd.edu