Certificate in Clinical Anatomy

HSU CERTIFICATE IN CLINICAL ANATOMY

There is a need for a certification program due to the anticipated shortage of anatomists which has been forecast for the past 17 years.¹ Many health professional programs, including medical schools and other health professions search for anatomists who have graduated from medical schools or have a Ph.D. in Anatomy. In 2018 alone, there were 52 job postings for anatomy educators in the US medical school, but only 17 doctoral degrees in anatomy were awarded between 2014-2017.¹ A recent research study found 65% of department chairs in 130 anatomy departments in the US, Canada, and the European Union reported they anticipate moderate to great difficulty hiring anatomy educators in the next 5 years.¹ Of the anatomy educator job postings in medical schools between 2017 and 2018, 21% were never filled.¹

In the last 5 years, there has been 65 new PA programs developed ² with similar increases in PT programs. This certification program would assist in providing needed anatomical knowledge, hands-on dissection experience, and anatomical lab experiences to those who desire to teach in the Health Science professions. This program would meet the requirements set forth by accrediting boards for teacher qualifications. Additionally, no such programs, as the one proposed, exist in the Central South USA, providing excellent potential for recruitment.
1. https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ase.1895
2. https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/press-releases/new-findings-confirm-predictions-physician-shortage

Handbook paragraph: This 12-hour hybrid certificate will prepare individuals to teach gross anatomy in a variety of health professions including physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, nursing, medicine, respiratory therapy, radiological sciences, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, dietetics, athletic training, exercise physiology/sport sciences and chiropractic. A strong science foundation and a professional and /or graduate degree is required to enter the program. The purpose of this certificate is to meet the shortage of qualified professionals to teach anatomy. This unique hybrid certificate program includes 4 online courses with a final, short, intensive course on-campus, where human cadaver dissection leads to increased knowledge, skills and new ways of teaching anatomy. Unique to this certificate is incorporation and application of differential diagnosis and diagnostic imaging utilizing clinical anatomy.

Potential students include those with backgrounds in physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, nursing, medicine, respiratory therapy, radiological sciences, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, dietetics, athletic training, exercise physiology/sport sciences and chiropractics. Students must have at least a bachelor's degree and a strong science foundation, with a professional and/or graduate degree required to enter the program.  Students must complete all 12 hours to receive the certificate in anatomy, but some courses may be taken if not seeking the certification.

The mission of Hardin-Simmons University is to be a community dedicated to providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.

“The mission of the College of Health Professions provides excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values by nurturing the mind, body and spirit to prepare life-long scholars and leaders who exhibit high ethical standards while serving individuals, society and their profession. “

The mission of the Hardin-Simmons University Physical Therapy program is to prepare individuals who demonstrate excellence in the practice of physical therapy and are enlightened by Christian faith and values. 

This certification program is in alignment with both HSU mission and HSU COHP/ PT mission by encouraging participants to demonstrate excellence through their educational pursuit as well as sharing how fearfully and wonderfully made our bodies are made by our Father.

ONLINE: (9 credit hours)
1. Clinical Anatomy- PHYT 7301 (3 credit) FALL
     a. Clinical anatomy covers the major structures of the back/ limbs followed by the head/ neck, thorax and abdomen, including pathophysiology, diagnostic imaging, and follows with clinical case scenarios.

2. Clinical Neuroanatomy PHYT 7304 (3 credit) SPRING 
     a. Clinical neuroanatomy
     b. Histology/ Embryology is included
3. Differential Diagnosis and its Anatomical Implication PHYT 7103 (1 Credit) SPRING

  a. Clinical diagnostic differentiation in regards to the anatomical areas 

4. Clinical Diagnostic Imaging- PHYT 7202 (2 credit) SUMMER 
     a. Clinical diagnostic imaging includes radiology, MRI, diagnostic ultrasound, CT scan, etc.
     b. Use of DUS in contact session

5. Clinical Anatomy and Neuroanatomy Laboratory PHYT 7308 (3 credit): ON CAMPUS: : 5 days – 48 hrs): Classroom/lab: SUMMER (MAY) 

     a. Review: lab preparation/ handling of specimens; requirements for anatomy lab.
     b. Dissection of human cadaver combined with diagnostic images of areas/ DUS/ and dry needling application.
     c. Active teaching of anatomical structures
     d. Diagnostic imaging included with dissection with radiographs, DUS.
     e. Differential diagnosis in the anatomy lab – dissection of organs (8 hrs)
     f. Active teaching of anatomical structures
     g. Dissection of human cadaver combined with diagnostic images of areas

                        CONTACT Dates/Times of class: 48 contact hours (Held in May)

                                    Day 1: 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM
                                    Day 2: 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM
                                    Day 3: 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM
                                    Day 4: 8:00 AM- 6:00 PM
                                    Day 5: 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Faculty:
Those with appropriate qualifications from the Physical Therapy Department, Biology Department, and other appropriately trained professionals from outside the university.

INSTRUCTORS:

Marsha Rutland, PT, ScD, MEd, OCS, COMT, C-DN, CSCS
 325-670-1337 [e-mail]

 Austin Alexander, PT, DPT
 325-670-1141 [e-mail]

Brian Young, PT, DSc, OCS

[e-mail]

 

CLOCK HOURS: 12 total hours

PREREQUISITES: Bachelor’s degree and professional and /or graduate degree in health science field

Suggested software: ANATOMY 4-D 

Certificate Requirements

In order to be awarded the certificate, students must earn a minimum grade of C on all coursework with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher.

GRADING SCALE:

Letter Grade	Value	Descriptor
A	100-90	Above average graduate work
B	80-89	Average graduate work
C	70-79	Below average graduate work
D	60-69	Failing graduate work
F	<60	Failing graduate work
I		Incomplete
IP		In progress
W		Withdrawal

Required Courses

PHYT 7103	Differential Diagnosis and its Anatomical Implication	1
PHYT 7202	Diagnostic Imaging in Clinical Anatomy	2
PHYT 7301	Clinical Anatomy for Certification program	3
PHYT 7304	Clinical Neuroanatomy for Anatomy Certification	3
PHYT 7308	Clinical Anatomy and Neuroanatomy Lab	3

Total Credit Hours: 12