By using university and specialist lecturers together with qualified
training providers, the course brings the highest standards of education
together. The final year examinations are also externally assessed by Fellows of
the Higher Education Academy to ensure that they meet current academic
requirements.
There is no 'Yardstick' or general council for veterinary/animal physiotherapy that sets standards of training at this time. The title 'Physiotherapist' is only protected when applied to human practice. Accreditation of courses in veterinary or animal physiotherapy is set by the body teaching it or sometimes by external bodies who do not necessarily have expertise in this field and, as such, standards can vary widely in terms of quality of content, delivery and assessment.
CEPT maintains a very high standard by using noted experts from institutions and universities nationwide. Practical training is delivered by a combination of Chartered Physiotherapists and other trainers, all of whom have specific experience in the field of veterinary physiotherapy; and who have proven standards in veterinary physiotherapy via qualifications acceptable to CEPT. CEPT has on its staff a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy* who monitors the standards of teaching throughout the course, and who works alongside an eminent retired professor of education to assess the standards of the course work and end-of-year examinations.
(*The HEA is a body which monitors and advises on academic standards in Universities and Colleges throughout the UK).
Professor George Brown, BSc, D.Phil., D.Odontology (Hon), retired
Professor of the University of Nottingham is the current Chairman of the Board of Examiners and
Course Evaluator. Professor Brown has wide experience of examining at
undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. He has recently retired from the
Medical Education Unit of the University of Nottingham. He has published
articles and texts on teaching, learning and assessment and directed research
and development projects in higher education. He was the founder editor of the
British Education Research Journal and he referees for medical and dental
journals. He has worked closely with members of the dental, legal, medical,
veterinary professions and other professions. In conjunction with members of the
Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) he developed the training materials and quality
assessment manual for the initial groups of quality assessors. He has been an
advisor on higher education and curriculum development to universities, national
and international agencies. In 2001 he was awarded a Honorary Doctorate in
Odontology by the University of Malmo for his services to Dental Education in
Europe. He continues to supervise research students and provide consultancies in
the UK and abroad. Dr George Brown is also a Reader in University Teaching Methods
at the University of Nottingham; he is also the national coordinator of
academic staff training for the Committee of Vice‐Chancellors and Principals
of the United Kingdom.
The course is approved by IRVAP (www.irvap.org.uk).
