RESUMO
PURPOSE: Students in professional programs are influenced to participate in professional associations by faculty, which may have long-term implications for participation and membership. The purpose of this study is to describe the participation of Doctor of Physical of Therapy (DPT) students in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). PROCEDURES: Eighty randomly chosen DPT education program directors were asked to forward a survey link to their students. Twenty program directors agreed and 242 students completed the survey. FINDINGS: Over one-half of the respondents were required by their program to be an association member, with 43.7% holding a position and 45.7% reporting conference attendance. Students who were required to be members were equally likely to be involved. Students did not join specialty sections within the organization. CONCLUSIONS: Students are not taking advantage of all the benefits of membership. Requiring student membership does not influence participation in the professional association.
