Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program are formally evaluated at appropriate intervals during the curriculum to assess and document satisfactory achievement of learning objectives and prescribed competencies. These evaluations occur on a regular basis at scheduled times during each course. Depending on the learning and competency outcomes objectives, these evaluations are designed to assess the level of knowledge, problem solving skills, psychomotor and clinical competencies and behavioral performances of students during each course and/or practicum. Students are graded on a numerical/alphabetical system using a standard grading scale, which is published in the Midwestern University catalog. Students are customarily provided access to grade reports after each examination, summarizing their performance on each test item. Students will be required to participate in competency-based evaluations at various intervals throughout their academic tenure.
Evaluation of clinical skills occurs throughout various stages of the curriculum and includes progressive assessments performed in academic courses using simulated situations and patients, including standardized patients. Evaluations of student performance during the clinical practical will be formal and will use established criteria developed by physical therapy clinical and academic educators.