Preparation of Academic Administrators in Physical Therapist Education Programs: Is More Needed?

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Academic administrators of physical therapist (PT) education programs often lack formal educational preparation in academic administration, relying on on-the-job training to learn the necessary responsibilities. At the time of this study, no formal education programs existed to uniquely prepare physical therapists to be program administrators in university settings. The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the administrative work of current PT education program administrators, (2) to identify the education and training, if any, completed by PT education program administrators to prepare for their positions, (3) to assess the need for formal education programs in PT academic administration, and (4) to identify potential content of a formal education program in PT academic administration. Subjects. Respondents included 83 of the 197 academic aclministrators of professional physical therapist education programs within the United States. Method. The authors developed a written survey to collect information about the participants' current work activities, the method of preparation for their roles, and their perceived need for continued education. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results. Decision-making and problem solving were the most frequently utilized administrative skills, while human resource management and budgeting activities were considered the most difficult administrative tasks, reinforcing the results found by previous researchers examining the work and preparation of other academic program administrators. The primary mode of preparation for administrative responsibilities was on-the-job training. Previous academic work experience was cited as most important in preparation for current position. Respondents rated their perception of overall preparedness for work as an academic administrator at 5.4±2.8 on a 10 cm VAS scale. Fifty-five percent of respondents perceived a need for a post professional program in academic administration. Discussion and Conclusion. The majority of respondents reported no formal education in academic administration, relying primarily on on-the-job training to prepare for work. Respondents indicated support for the development for post-professional education in academic administration emphasizing human resource management, financial/budgeting skills, and conceptual and contextual information specific to higher education. Key Words: Academic administration, Professional development, Physical therapist education program. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The physical therapy profession attracts people who focus on the health and welfare of others and whose primary work is clinical care. Most physical therapist (PT) academicians practice first as clinicians and complete advanced education, usually in a clinical specialty area, prior to seeking positions in teaching or research.1 Over time, faculty members are expected to be promoted and tenured, and, sometimes, be appointed to serve as academic administrators. The advancement into administrative positions in many disciplines is often the result of length of employment experience and willingness to serve, rather than academic or other preparation.2 However, if the preparation of the administrators of physical therapist education programs is consistent with the literature describing preparation of program administrators in other disciplines,38 they may be unprepared to assume leadership, administration, and/or management responsibilities, requiring them to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills through on-the-job training. The impact of the potential lack of preparation for academic administrators in physical therapist education programs is not small, as they are responsible for the matriculation of more than 20,000 students and the graduation of approximately 5,900 physical therapists in 2008.1(p18) While the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)9 lists the expected qualifications of PT education program administrators, no formal educational programs currently are available specifically to prepare physical therapists for roles as academic administrators in college or university settings. …