Cultivating Diversity: Pipeline Program Influence on Student Pursuit of and Matriculation Into Physical Therapy Education

• In Event: Supporting Admissions Matriculants and Processes

Abstract

The present investigation explored relationships between underrepresented minority (URM) status, pipeline program participation, and student pursuit of physical therapy (PT) as a career. An online survey was completed by 139 first-year post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students; 45.3% from URM backgrounds and 54.7% from non-URM backgrounds. Results revealed that academic effort prior to DPT program application was neither influenced by URM status nor pipeline program participation. Pipeline program participation and URM status had varying influences on GRE performance. Pipeline program experience was associated with greater career interest development, self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, and goal representations. Study outcomes substantiate PT-specific pipeline programs for optimal prospective PT student preparation and successful matriculation into PT education, particularly among individuals from URM backgrounds.

Author

• Adrienne Pinckney, Widener University
  Presenting Author