Introduction
Department
The department is the first in the country to combine physical therapy with assistive technology, pioneering the transformation to offer a six-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2015.
Teachers
The department has 5 professors, 7 associate professors, and 3 assistant professors. Our faculty spare no effort in research, covering a wide range of fields and collaborating with diverse partners. Each faculty member’s academic expertise aligns with the department’s educational goals and meets students’ learning needs.
Teaching and Research Features
The six-year Bachelor’s degree program in Physical Therapy aims to deepen existing clinical training, strengthen comprehensive professional education in the healthcare system, and implement physical therapy differential diagnosis, evidence-based analysis, clinical reasoning, and decision-making abilities. It also expands into emerging fields, geriatric medicine, and physical therapy administration and management, cultivating students’ professional independence and competitiveness.
The Master’s program is divided into Physical Therapy (Group A) and Assistive Technology (Group B). Group A focuses on clinical applied research, while Group B focuses on the application and development of assistive devices. Both groups have opportunities for interaction and exchange within the department, enhancing interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
In addition to theoretical specialization, the doctoral program requires students to have the ability to conduct independent research and engage in international exchanges, publish international papers, and many students also combine their research topics with the development of assistive technology, designing various products and obtaining patents.
International exchange programs: Undergraduate and graduate students in our department can apply to study elective courses or clinical internships at sister schools abroad, and financial assistance is available. Each year, many international students also come to our department or our university to study relevant courses in related fields.
Research Features of Our Department
The research directions of our full-time faculty cover a wide range of areas, including neurological physical therapy, applied neurophysiological research, motion analysis, musculoskeletal and exercise science, cardiopulmonary physical therapy, health promotion, exercise physiology, pediatric physical therapy, geriatric physical therapy and healthcare policy, intelligent mechatronic assistive devices, computational biomechanics, sports and rehabilitation technology, applications of information and electronic technology, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and assistive device services and policies. Each year, numerous research projects are secured from the Ministry of Science and Technology, other government agencies, medical institutions, and industry partners. The overall research outcomes are highly aligned with the needs of social, economic, cultural, and technological development.
Campus Life
In addition to academics, students in our department also participate in various extracurricular activities, including academic lectures, career development seminars, and department-level events. These activities not only foster a sense of community but also help students develop organizational and event planning skills.
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Currently, there are over 800 undergraduate graduates and more than 350 graduates from the master’s and doctoral programs. The pass rate for our undergraduate graduates taking the physical therapist certification exam is over 80%, significantly higher than the national average. Our graduates pursue diverse career paths, including further studies domestically or abroad, entering clinical practice in medical institutions, therapy centers, schools, assistive technology centers, and assistive technology development companies. Graduates from the master’s and doctoral programs have opportunities to teach at universities and colleges or undertake clinical education and research roles.