title: The use of distance education for a bachelor's degree to master's degree transition program in physical therapy.
abstract: Distance education has been used in health professional education programs to provide continuing and advanced education. Distance education in physical therapy has been limited. This article describes the use of distance education methods to deliver a transitional bachelor's degree to master's degree program for a cohort of two classes of physical therapy students. The 6-month program allowed a total of 26 students to receive a master's degree while working full-time and residing off campus. Student feedback indicated that the program met goals of advancing their education, increasing their marketability, and being affordable. The use of a variety of media to deliver the program and student comments about the methods are described.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, PO Box 9226 HSC, Morgantown, WV 26506-9226, USA. aswisher@wvu.edu
authors.forename: Anne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Swisher
authors.forename: MaryBeth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020375:Education, Distance; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States