What Hybrid Option Students Can Expect
Engaging in two immersions per term (lasting six to nine days) for the first five hybrid semesters. Students will receive vital preparatory content and practice via prior synchronous and asynchronous activity that will allow for a more efficient start to each immersion session.
- These terms require intensive immersion laboratory experiences (on-campus) developed to allow practice and mastery of the psychomotor and clinical decision-making skills necessary for:
- Examination
- Evaluation
- Diagnosis
- Prognosis
- Intervention
- Assessment of Outcomes
- Immersions will be used for assessment (formative and summative) which includes the completion of skills checklists, practical and comprehensive laboratory examinations. These are structured to provide laboratory experiences and competency assessments associated with the courses students are taking.
- Terms 6 and 7 are full-time terminal clinical educational experiences and will not require laboratory immersions.
Immersions will be led by faculty, guest instructors and adjunct faculty who are experts in their field of practice, providing an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio that allows for an optimal and engaging learning experience. Immersion sessions will also allow for open laboratory time where students can freely practice skills outside formal instruction, while still having access to faculty for questions.
| Immersion |
Term |
Estimated Date* |
Length of Immersion |
| 1A |
1 – Fall |
October |
9 days |
| 1B |
1 – Fall |
November/December |
9 days |
| 2A |
2 – Spring |
February |
7 days |
| 2B |
2 – Spring |
March |
8 days |
| 3A |
3 – Summer |
June |
8 days |
| 3B |
3 – Summer |
July |
8 days |
| 4A |
4 – Fall |
October |
6 days |
| 4B |
4 – Fall |
November/December |
6 days |
| 5A |
5 – Spring |
February |
6 days |
| 5B |
5 – Spring |
April |
6 days |
*Specific immersion dates will be shared with each new cohort of hybrid students.
Student Expectations
Scheduling
If an immersion session is scheduled over a weekend, there will be classes and activities scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. Students will not have the weekend off as they do during their regular, weekly classes. There is one day after the immersions end that is reserved for traveling, during which there are no program activities, classes, or meetings scheduled.
Travel and Board
Students will be required to procure their own travel and housing arrangements for the on-campus laboratory immersions in Pittsburgh, PA.
While suggestions for housing will be provided to students, ultimately students will be responsible for making all arrangements. Many students investigate group housing options, such as Airbnb, Vacation Rental by Owner, and local Bed & Breakfasts. Prior to making any housing arrangements, students should confirm the location of the immersion sessions to ensure they remain within a reasonable distance to the sessions.
