For immediate release: July 27, 2007 GALVESTON, Texas - The Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston will offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree beginning fall 2008. The new degree, which was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in July, is designed to more accurately reflect the scope, depth, breadth and rigor of the educational preparation needed for current and future physical therapy practice. The nine-semester program will consist of 101-103 credit hours and 40 weeks of full-time guided clinical practice. The new courses will include, among others, pharmacology, imaging, differential diagnosis and medical Spanish. Clinical education will include rotations in acute care, orthopedics, neurology and other specialty areas. Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain and promote overall fitness and health. The Department of Physical Therapy is part of the School of Allied Health Sciences. Applications are now being accepted. For admissions requirements or additional information, please visit http://www.sahs.utmb.edu/programs/pt/. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Public Affairs Office 301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.102 Galveston, Texas 77555-0144 www.utmb.edu