Title: African American Recruitment in Physical Therapist Education Programs

Title: African American Recruitment in Physical Therapist Education Programs

Author: Moneek Bennett
Affiliation: Texas State University
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the recruitment strategies in Physical Therapist Educational programs of African-American students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) compared to recruitment strategies of African-American students at Predominately White Institutions (PWI’s). This study also determined if there is a relationship between the number of full-time African American faculty and the number of African American students enrolled in a physical therapist education program. The sample consisted of fourteen physical therapist programs, including all seven HBCU’s accredited by CAPTE and seven PWI’s in corresponding state. The program director at each program surveyed was asked to complete a questionnaire. The responses from these questionnaires serve as the data that was utilized for this research study. Results indicate that HBCU’s are using more recruitment strategies focused directly toward African American students than PWI’s. HBCU’s also have a higher percentage of full-time African American faculty members than PWI’s. These two factors, if incorporated into programs at PWI’s could possibly increase African American enrollment in these programs, and therefore increase diversity in the physical therapy profession.