About

Welcome from the Director

On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Georgia State University, I welcome you to our webpage. We are proud of our program and are pleased to have the opportunity to introduce to you to some of what makes Georgia State University’s Division of Physical Therapy such an exciting and progressive place. As the first public institution in the state of Georgia to receive approval to grant the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, we invite you to consider our curriculum, our students, our faculty, our research, and our location as you investigate various programs of study.

Located in the heart of Atlanta and within the largest urban university in Georgia, we are within blocks of some of the finest healthcare facilities in the country.

Our mission is to prepare doctors of physical therapy who are committed to clinical excellence, professional distinction, and the pursuit of scholarly activities that contribute to the body of scientific and clinical knowledge. A major feature that distinguishes our program is the depth and breadth of our faculty. Known for their foundational and clinical knowledge, the faculty are leaders in their professions. Emeritus faculty, clinical adjunct faculty and part-time instructors enhance our clinical and academic instruction.

The Physical Therapy faculty are nationally recognized teachers and clinicians, and each is involved in clinical research. Clinical research interests of our faculty focus on topics such as myofascial pain and trigger points, diabetes, motor learning and older adults, mobility methods for children with cerebral palsy, lymphedema, virtual reality for enhancing rehabilitation, fall prevention, tai chi, and muscle injury. Our faculty collaborate with renowned experts in the metro area as well as around the country, such as Dr. David Simons, the foremost pioneer in the area of myofascial pain.

We welcome students to our program from diverse backgrounds and locations, majors and interests. We value that diversity. Our students are simply the best.

Exceptional learning opportunities await each student, whether on campus, or at one of our clinical affiliate sites. We have affiliations with over 200 different healthcare facilities, many within the metro Atlanta area, but also, across the country, including Maine, New York, and Wisconsin. Unique opportunities await students as they partner with faculty members and conduct student research projects, contributing to the evidence themselves. Students have the opportunity to present their research at local, state, and national meetings.

Whether you are a prospective student, an alumnus, clinician, or friend, we welcome you to the Division of Physical Therapy.

Leslie Taylor, PT, PhD