Educational Background
B.S. in Physical Therapy Northeastern University, 1981
M.S. Advanced Practice Option in Physical Therapy, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2001
MHA, Suffolk University, 2002
DPT, University of Massachusetts Lowell, June 2004
Scholarly Interests
Research Interests: therapeutic riding interventions for children with disabilities, childhood obesity, physical fitness and obesity in children and adults with developmental disabilities, service learning as a teaching pedagogy in physical therapy.
Teaching Responsibilities: Entry-Level Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program; Physical Therapy Interventions I, Health Care Issues, Business Skills, Service Learning. Undergraduate Exercise Physiology Program; Independent study in Exercise Physiology.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Murphy has held the position of Assistant Professor since September 2004. She had previously been affiliated with the physical therapy program since 1996 as Adjunct Faculty and most recently in 2001 as the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education.
Dr. Murphy received her undergraduate degree in physical therapy from Northeastern University. She completed an advanced master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2000. In addition, she received a Master in Health Administration from Suffolk University in 2001. In 2004, she received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Massachusetts. Dr Murphy was a 2000 – 2001 recipient of the Leadership in Education of Neurodevelopment Disabilities Fellowship at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, funded by Maternal and Child Health. She is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Trainer and teaches throughout the New England area credentialing clinical instructors. Deirdra’s clinical work has focused on children in the school setting.
Dr. Murphy is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, pediatrics, health policy and education sections. She has served as a member of the Therapeutic Riding Research Committee. She is currently active in the community as a board member for the On-line Developmental Disabilities Nursing Journal and the Lowell Area Citizen Advisory Board for the Department of Mental Retardation.
Curriculum Vitae .pdf format