Comparison of characteristics and attitudes of entry-level bachelor's and master's degree students in physical therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between type of entry-level education and selected student variables.


METHODS
Students in their final year of education in entry-level bachelor's and master's degree programs in the United States (N = 766) participated in the study.


METHODS
Questionnaires were mailed to these students, who represented 22 entry-level physical therapy programs selected at random from the December 1991 issue of Physical Therapy. Two-tailed t tests for independent means and chi-square analyses were performed to determine statistical significance for interval data and categorical data, respectively.


RESULTS
Five hundred twelve surveys were returned, for a response rate of 66.8%. Master's degree respondents anticipated greater involvement in research and teaching and felt better prepared to practice across a broad spectrum of clinical practice and to perform activities related to research, teaching, management, and direct access practice. Baccalaureate programs, however, appeared to attract a greater percentage of minority individuals (14.9% versus 5.8%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that differences exist between entry-level bachelor's and master's degree students in physical therapy. Findings of this study may have implications for curriculum planning, recruitment and scholarship efforts, and policy formation in physical therapy education.
Warren
S C
SC
School of Allied Health Professions, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Pierson
F M
FM
D001290:Attitude; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate; D004651:Employment; D010560:Personnel Selection; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000193:education*; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States