The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston offers a post-professional certificate program known as IMPRINTS (Improved Training for Physical Therapists in Early Intervention Settings.) Because of increased demand for physical therapists trained in early intervention, UTMB has partnered with the UT TeleCampus to offer this program in a flexible, fully online, format.
Three of the courses in the training program will be offered fully-online via the UT TeleCampus. A final fourth course needed to complete the certificate may be a clinical rotation or an independent study (under development.)
This program runs under UTMB’s existing course semester schedule. Space is limited and applicants should apply early. Stipends may be available for qualified students (see the FAQs below for more information.)
The certificate program is designed to increase the number and quality of physical therapists providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, or at high risk for disabilities, and their families. IMPRINTS provides additional academic (and clinical) training to better prepare physical therapists for employment in early intervention environments. The program encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Methods of instruction include:
- online discussions with IMPRINTS project faculty, visiting faculty and therapists;
- independent study and review of relevant literature and web sites;
- videos of early intervention service provisions;
- observations of children, families and therapists providing intervention services; and
direct participation during clinical internships (if taken.)
Program Advantages:
- Diverse training program faculty including physical therapists experienced in directing clinical education experiences and providing services to infants and young children; other training program faculty include a pediatric psychologist, and faculty experienced in multi-cultural issues.
- Multi-disciplinary Advisory Board that supervises and provides input into the program and curriculum.
- Active involvement from families of infants and children that have received early intervention services.
- Strong, supportive network from area therapists and early intervention program directors, and state early intervention leaders.
- Solid educational program with reputation for producing outstanding clinicians and professional leaders.
- A job placement network to assist IMPRINTS program graduates seeking employment in early intervention settings.
- Convenience of fully web-based instruction.
COURSES
Link to a listing of the courses required for the program. To find out when the courses will be offered, link to the course catalog, select the program and click search. Catalog search results will return the schedules for at least two semesters, but not all programs are scheduled that far in advance.
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION AND ADVISOR
Christine Baker, Ed.D., P.T.
Project Director
University of Texas Medical Branch
301 University Boulevard
Galveston, Texas 77555-1144
Phone: (409) 772-3068
Fax: (409) 747-1613
cbaker@utmb.edu
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Who can participate in the IMPRINTS program?
- Do you receive a specialization in early childhood intervention?
- Where might I be for the 6 week clinical internship?
- Can students work while they are in the program?
- How does the UTTC online course certificate program differ from the one that has been offered at UTMB for the past 5 years?
- Can I get Continuing Education Units (CEUs)? And will the course instructor complete the paperwork for me to get my professional CEUs?
- Is the IMPRINTS certificate a “post-professional” or “post-graduate” certificate?
- Can licensed professionals who are not physical therapists enroll in the courses? Can they get the post-professional certificate?
- I understand that for the Certificate, there is a 4th course requirement – some kind of clinical experience. Can you provide more details?
- I work many hours a week and have young children at home. I’m worried about having enough time to meet all the course requirements. Will students be required to write research papers for the classes?
- Are stipends available for the online IMPRINTS courses?
- How much are the stipends?
- When are stipends awarded?
- What is the ‘work obligation’ for students receiving stipends?
- I think I want to work in pediatrics, but am not sure. And I’m hesitant to sign a contract committing me to the work obligation. Can I take the courses and not receive the stipend?
- Can licensed professionals who are not physical therapists receive the stipends?
- As an online student, I may not be able to complete all of the courses and get my post-professional certificate by the time the grant funding ends on August 31, 2008. Is it a problem if I have not received the certificate? Am I still eligible for the course stipends?
- *Are my prior college transcripts required?
- Why are immunizations required?
- How much are the tuition and fees for each 3 credit hour course?
- Will I need a certain type of computer in order to take this course?
- What are the start and end dates for the courses in the 2007-2008 academic year?
- How can I find out more information?
To participate, students must apply to and be accepted by the UTMB School of Allied Health Sciences* (Please see crucial information in FAQs above.) Contact the Advisor prior to applying.
At UTMB, the course registration time frame for the summer course is April 14 - 25; all course payments are due April 25 or students will be assessed a late fee. Stipends may be available to students taking the summer course. Stipend availability will end with the summer course. Summer classes begin on April 28 and end on August 8.
The course registration time frame for the fall courses is July 28 - August 22; all course payments are due August 22 or students will be assessed a late fee. Fall classes begin on August 25 and end on December 5.
For additional information on registration and course access, please link to Enrollment Services.