November 30, 2022

Wheeling University & Bethany College Sign Articulation Agreement for Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

WHEELING, W.Va., Nov. 30 – The continued partnership between Wheeling University and Bethany College will help produce more well-trained physical therapists to treat patients in West Virginia and across the country.

This month, the two Ohio Valley institutions signed an additional articulation agreement that will allow at least two students a year from Bethany’s undergraduate programs into Wheeling’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The students must meet all of the University’s qualifications and academic requirements.

“Wheeling University is happy to sign this agreement with Bethany College, which will offer students from our neighboring institution a seamless transition into our Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This agreement will benefit those students seeking an advanced degree, while producing more physical therapists to meet the health care needs of residents in our local community and across the country,” said Ginny R. Favede, president of Wheeling University.

Bethany’s Interim President Dr. Jamie Caridi added, “Our articulation with Wheeling University will offer Bethanians a new graduate program while maintaining the integrity of traditionally small class sizes and connections with faculty. In offering a field with opportunities in various settings, students will work on developing professional skills while fostering their rich individual development that will translate into ethical care post-graduation. We are thrilled to be able to offer students a new opportunity that allows them to translate values instilled through their time at the College into hands-on work.” 

This new partnership between the two institutions will allow students in Bethany’s undergraduate programs who meet the specific qualifications and prerequisites courses, acceptance into Wheeling’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. A partial listing of the courses/prerequisites include:

• An overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or higher;
• A grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or higher in the required prerequisite courses, which include, but are not limited to: BIO 124/125, BIO 325/326, BIO 302/303, BIO 328/334, CHEM 110/111, CHEM 112/113, PHYS 101/110, PHYS 102/111, PSYC 101, MAT 160 Higher level courses may be substituted for lower-level courses in the same area.
• A minimum grade of B in each required prerequisite course

According to Dr. Alison Kreger, PT, DPT, Ed.D., director of Wheeling’s DPT program, “This collaboration between Wheeling and Bethany will bring more graduates from a West Virginia institution into the University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. This partnership will help both Bethany and Wheeling facilitate the training of physical therapy professionals who, upon graduation, will provide quality patient care.”

Bethany Provost and Dean of Faculty Dr. Anju Ramjee said, “This articulation is allowing Bethany College to offer students a higher level of education while maintaining the added value of being at a smaller institution. We are looking forward to seeing the impact these students will make in a world where we need more health care professionals.”

Wheeling University’s DPT program emphasizes a whole person approach to the investigation of clinical issues using a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) format. PBL encourages teamwork, open discussion, and researching appropriate resources to acquire the essential didactic knowledge.

Through this unique learning format, Wheeling’s physical therapy graduates demonstrate exemplary professionalism, exceptional skills and problem solving, as well as the ability to access and utilize knowledge, reflective of a commitment to life-long learning, according to Kreger.