VII. Professonal Schools/Program

• Feik School of Pharmacy
• Rosenberg School of Optometry
• School of Physical Therapy
• Doctor of Nursing Practice

Feik School of Pharmacy

The Feik School of Pharmacy envisions itself as a partner in the community of health care educators and practitioners who are patient advocates dedicated to the delivery of superior care and enhancement of the quality of life for all citizens through the development of highly trained, culturally-competent, caring pharmacists.

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Curriculum
The program focuses on a strong foundation in the pharmaceutical sciences, curricular integration, provision of high-quality pharmaceutical care, lifelong learning, appropriate use of technology, and opportunities for multi-cultural and multi-language development.  The School promotes full emergence of the student as a practitioner and scholar, and support the faculty as fine-tuned educators through community and professional service, leadership opportunities, planned development activities, and scholarship. The 4-year integrated course of study provides approximately 37 hours in the pharmaceutical sciences, 11 hours in pharmacy administration, and 106 hours in pharmacy practice and experiential learning.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must complete a pre-pharmacy course of study at any U.S. accredited college or university. The pre-pharmacy curriculum must compare in content and comprehensiveness with the Incarnate Word pre-pharmacy program. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0 in pre-pharmacy course work and 64 semester hours (71 hours for Graduate/professional financial aid). Students who have completed a 4-year degree are encouraged to apply. Prerequisites include:

• 4 – General Biology with Lab
• 8 – General Chemistry with lab
• 4 – Microbiology with lab
• 8 – Human Anatomy/Physiology
• 8 – Organic Chemistry with lab
• 4 – Physics with Lab
• 6 – English Composition
• 3 – Calculus
• 12 – Humanities
• 6 – Social/Behavioral Sciences
• 3 – Statistics
• 6 – English Literature

The process for admission to the Fall class opens in August and concludes December 1 of the previous year. All students, including UIW Pre-pharmacy students, must apply for admission to the professional program using the PharmCas® online process. Applicants must have official transcripts from all colleges attended, undergraduate and graduate, 2 letters of recommendation, official score reports from the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT: Code #099),  proof of 80 hours of experience in an approved pharmacy setting, and acceptable TOEFL scores when English is not the primary language. An onsite interview (applicants’ expense) is required for persons who are under consideration for admission. A critical thinking assessment and writing sample will be taken at that time. Review of applicants begins after the close of the admission window. Interviews are conducted in late February and March of the matriculation year. Notification of admission occurs on or about May 1 of the matriculation year.

More information regarding the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program can be found in a separate UIW Feik School of Pharmacy Bulletin and on the School of Pharmacy webpage, www.uiw.edu/pharmacy/.

 

Rosenberg School of Optometry

The mission of the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry is to educate and prepare future leaders in optometry through excellence in education, patient care, and vision research. This is achieved in an environment committed to personal growth within a context of faith, human dignity, and social justice.

Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)

Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures, as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, provide low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle. Admissions

UIWRSO is committed to educating and preparing students who are caring, compassionate and competent optometrists. UIWRSO actively seeks qualified applicants with a passion for lifelong-learning who are prepared for leadership and service to humankind. Our admissions policy is competitive in order to select those applicants who have the potential for academic success and who will be a credit to the optometric profession as well as the global community.

UIWRSO has a policy of competitive admissions and expectation for academic excellence. In order to apply for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Successful completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of college coursework from an accredited institution of higher learning; a grade of C or better must be achieved in all prerequisite courses.
• Please see the list of Prerequisite Requirements below
• A recommended minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• A recommended minimum overall Optometry Admission Test score of 300

Applications are processed as they are received and offers of acceptance are made on a rolling basis, therefore we strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible during the application period. This rolling admissions process allows qualified individuals to be admitted on a continual basis until the class is filled.
For an applicant to receive full consideration, the following items must be submitted:

• Complete online application* for admission: www.optomcas.org <
• Completed RSO Supplemental Form for Admission
• Official Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores sent directly to UIWRSO

*Please note that official academic transcripts from each college or university attended and letters of recommendation must be sent directly to OptomCAS as part of the central application process.

The Admissions Committee will review all completed applications and will extend invitations for on-campus interviews to those candidates with competitive applications. Please be aware that all prerequisite courses must be completed before a student can enroll at UIWRSO.
Applicants will be considered for admission on the basis of academic performance as well as non-academic qualifications. The following criteria will be used in the admissions selection process, in no particular order of preference or weight:

• Scholastic Aptitude and Academic Performance
• Overall undergraduate grade point average
• Prerequisite science and math cumulative grade point average
• Optometry Admission Test performance
• Written and oral communication skills
• Ability to handle a diverse and demanding course load
• Extracurricular Activities; Community Service; Volunteer Work; Leadership Positions; Optometry-Related Experience
• Evaluation of Character, Motivation, Initiative, Interpersonal Skills, and Awareness of the Optometric Profession
• Ability to meet the Functional Standards, as defined by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

Final consideration for admission takes into account the above academic and non-academic qualifications along with comments from personal interviews conducted by members of the Admissions Committee.

Prerequisite Requirements

Required Courses
Biology with lab* – 2 semesters
Inorganic Chemistry with lab – 2 semesters
General Physics with lab – 2 semesters
College Mathematics – 2 semesters
(At least 1 semester of Calculus)
Organic Chemistry with lab– 1 semester
Microbiology with lab – 1 semester
(Or Bacteriology with lab – 1 semester)
Biochemistry or Molecular Biology – 1 semester
Psychology – 1 semester
Statistics – 1 semester
English – 2 semesters

*2 semesters of General Biology with lab OR 1 semester of General Biology with lab and 1
semester of any of the following courses with lab: Cell Biology, Physiology, Anatomy, or Genetics.

Additional Required Courses (for students entering without a Bachelor’s degree)
Humanities – 2 courses
Behavioral & Social Sciences – 2 courses

Recommended Courses (but not required)
Physiology – Recommended
Anatomy – Recommended
Ethics – Recommended

Contact Information
For more information, please contact the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry at 210-883-1190 or optometry@uiwtx.edu. Additional information may be found on the website at http://optometry.uiw.edu .

 

School of Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Programs

The mission of the University of the Incarnate Word Doctor of Physical Therapy programs is to educate physical therapists as primary health care professionals who are prepared to function in diverse global environments as knowledgeable, competent, compassionate, caring, resourceful, confident, ethical, and legal practitioners.

Entry-Level DPT Program

The entry-level curriculum consists of 122 credit hours over 33 months (eight (8) semesters or four (4) academic years) including 44 weeks of professional practice education. The entry-level DPT program uses problem-based learning (PBL), a rigorous, highly structured teaching methodology which places the student in a position of active responsibility for learning and mastering content. In small groups, the student learns new material by confronting and solving problems in the form of a clinical patient case. Students will work in groups of 7-8 with a tutor who will facilitate discussion and ask questions to ascertain that students are learning the material to the appropriate breadth and depth required of an entry level physical therapist. The curriculum includes extensive laboratory experiences as well as professional topic seminars which complement and reinforce content learned in PBL sessions.

Admission Requirements

• Earned Bachelor degree (minimum of 120 credit hours)
• GPA: equal to or above 3.0
• GRE scores
• A minimum of 50 hours of observation in different physical therapy settings
• Completed online application with official copies of all transcripts
• Three (3) references from a physical therapist (or other professional)
• Medical Terminology Course (or equivalent; to be completed prior to enrollment)
• Beginning Spanish for Health Professions (or equivalent; to be completed prior to enrollment)

Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or above

• Biology – 1 semester
• Human Anatomy with lab – 1 semester *
• Human Physiology with lab – 1 semester *
• Chemistry with Lab - 2 semesters
• Physics with Lab - 2 semesters
• Statistics: 1 semester
• Psychology/Sociology: 3 semesters
• Introduction to Psychology or equivalent
• Human Growth and Development or equivalent
• Upper level division PSYC or SOCI
• Upper level division philosophy or ethics or religion course

* can be substituted by Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab – 2 semesters

To apply for admission
All students must apply for admission to the entry-level DPT program using the PTCas® online process between July 1 and December 1 of the previous year. Applicants must have official transcripts from all colleges attended, undergraduate and graduate, 3 letters of recommendation, and documentation of 50 hours of observations of physical therapy practice. After the review of all applications, applicants under consideration for admission will be invited for an on campus interview at their own expenses. Interviews are conducted during the Spring semester of the matriculation year.

Post-Professional DPT Program

The post-professional DPT program meets societal needs by making doctoral education readily available to licensed practitioners with a lifelong commitment to patients, society, and the profession in the areas of education, service, and research. The post-professional DPT curriculum is designed to provide opportunity and challenge for physical therapists to enhance their professional practice to that reflected by a doctoring profession as described in the APTA Preferred Curricular Model for the Transition Clinical Doctoral Program Learner. The post-professional DPT program includes 24 credit hours total—seven (7) core and one (1) elective courses. The course content will be delivered online in 8-week mini-semester with threaded asynchronous discussions in which the instructor of record will be actively involved. Expectation for graduation is successful completion of all coursework as well as dissemination of one scholarly piece in the form of a peer reviewed presentation or publication.

Core courses

DPT 9331 Professional Assessment and CAPSTONE (3 cr.)
DPT 9332 Examination and Triage - Primary Care in Rehabilitation (3 cr.)
DPT 9333 Evidence-based Practice (3 cr.)
DPT 9334 Ethics & Law in Professional Practice (3 cr.)
DPT 9335 Health Education and Wellness (3 cr.)
DPT 9336 Pharmacology for Rehabilitation Professionals (3 cr.)
DPT 9337 Radiology and Imaging (3 cr.) or
DPT 9338 Neuroimaging (3 cr.)

Electives

DPT 9351 Directed Practice (3 cr.)
DPT 9352 Exercise Management for Complex Patients (3 cr.)
DPT 9353 Health Disparities & Cultural Competencies (3 cr.)

Admission Requirements

• Earned Bachelor degree (minimum of 120 credit hours)
• A physical therapy degree from an educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
• A current U.S. physical therapy license or its equivalent
• Familiarity with computer word processing and internet access with web browser and e-mail capability
• At least one year of practice as a licensed physical therapist

To apply for admissio

• Complete the online application at http://uiw.edu/physicaltherapy/PPDPTv2.html
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended, undergraduate and graduate, reflecting degree(s) received from an accredited US institution or equivalent training at an institution outside of the US, a cover letter stating the reason you want to obtain a DPT, a current resume, and a notarized copy of your physical therapy license to:

University of the Incarnate Word
Post Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
4301 Broadway - CPO 412
San Antonio, TX 78258

The preferred deadline for application and supporting documentation are two (2) months before the intended start in the program
July 1 - Fall 1 semester
November 1 - Spring 1 semester
March 1 for Summer semester
August 15 for Fall 2 semester
December 15 - Spring 2 semester

For more information regarding the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, please contact the UIW School of Physical Therapy at 210-283-6477 or physicaltherapy@uiwtx.edu. Additional information may be found on the website at http://www.uiw.edu/physicaltherapy.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

NURSING (NURS)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree provides a foundation for leadership development and refinement of clinical management skills for currently practicing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Students are expected to identify a vulnerable population of interest at the beginning of coursework. Each course will allow exploration of the population from differing perspectives and build on the students’ empirical knowledge base. The population of interest also will serve as the focus for clinical skill development. The degree program will be offered primarily in an asynchronous online format augmented by synchronous online teaching. The program consists of a 33 credit hour on-line curriculum consisting of 7 core courses and two electives (392 class contact hours and 544 clinical practicum/residency hours) building on the preparation of certified APRNs, specifically Adult Clinical Nurse Specialists and Nurse Practitioners.

Admission Criteria
Admission to the DNP program will be granted to applicants who satisfy all general admission requirements.

• Evidence of an earned Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university.
• Official transcripts of all previous college work.
• Proof of a current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in and APRN Certification in an AACN-recognized specialty (NP, CNS, CNM, CRNA) with recognition to practice as an APRN by the Board of Nursing in one's state of residence/practice.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA in previous graduate study.
• Interview with UIW graduate faculty.
• Documentation of a minimum of 500 supervised clinical practicum hours in MSN program.
• Three satisfactory professional references (academic/professional).
• Compliance with all additional admission criteria for MSN Program (see Additional Admission Criteria – criminal background screening, drug screening, liability, health, and needle stick injury insurance, CPR, and health requirements).

For Texas Residents:

Licensed to practice as an APRN in Texas

For Non-Texas Residents:

Licensed to practice as an APRN in a compact state in which one resides or practices

Pre-requisites

• A course in graduate advanced statistics within last 5 years or enrolled concurrently
• A graduate Informatics course within last 5 years or enrolled concurrently

Requirements for the DNP

To qualify for the DNP degree, a candidate must complete a 33 credit hour online curriculum (plus 560 clinical practicum/residency hours) building on the preparation of a certified APRN and successfully complete and present a Doctoral Capstone Project.

Full time and part-time study is available for each student. Full time study includes 9 credit hours per semester and part time study ranges from 3 to 6 hours a semester.

Individual consideration may be given by the Graduate Nursing Committee to those applicants who do not entirely meet selected admission requirements.

Course Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice:
NURS 7340 Theoretical Issues with Culturally Diverse and Vulnerable Populations
NURS 7335 Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice
NURS 7345 Foundations for DNP Practice I: Scientific Underpinnings
NURS 7650 Evidence Based Methods and Practice I
NURS 7655 Evidence Based Methods & Practice II-Clinical Residency
NURS 7365 DNP II-Capstone
NURS 7360 Health Policy Analysis
Two additional elective courses are required

Contact Information
For more information, please contact the UIW Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing at 829-6029 or the Admissions Office at 210 829-6005. Additional information may be found on the website at: http://www.uiw.edu/dnp/index.html.