ATHENS, Ohio -- Two new doctoral programs at Ohio University will begin accepting students for the 2003-2004 academic year after the Ohio Board of Regents approved the programs' initiation at a Jan. 16 meeting. An entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a Doctor of Audiology degree will be offered by the College of Health and Human Services on the Athens, Ohio, campus.

Both doctoral programs emphasize a strong clinical basis of education, preparing professionals for clinical practice in the respective fields. The development of the programs responds to current trends and future requirements in both professions.

"I am proud that both our hearing, speech and language sciences and our physical therapy programs are among the finest in the country, as evidenced by rankings and by the success of the students who graduate from the programs," said Gary S. Neiman, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. "That both of these schools have been at the forefront in developing new doctoral programs in response to changes in professional standards confirms their leadership position and assures that our students will get the best education available in both of these fields."

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) program will be the first in the state of Ohio. The three-year program will be anentry-level program for graduate-level study. The current physical therapy program, which grants a master's-level degree, will be transitioned into the new D.P.T. program.

The Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program is among the earliest such program to be developed in the country. The four-year program will provide graduating students with the credentials that will be required in the future, per professional organization standards, for practicing audiologists. A similar program was approved by the Board of Regents to be offered by Kent State University/University of Akron.