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Impending Winter Storm

Due to the impending storm, all classes and activities at Kean’s main campus in Union, Kean Ocean and Kean Skylands will operate remotely on Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26. 

The University will observe a Winter Wellness Day on Tuesday, January 27, following the storm. Classes and activities will not run, and employees are not expected to work. 

Due to ongoing power problems at the Kean Ocean Gateway Building, all classes and activities at Kean Ocean will also be conducted remotely on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. This only applies to Kean Ocean. 

Only essential personnel should report to work as scheduled during the remote period or on Tuesday. Employees with questions about their status should consult their supervisor. 

Keanu’s Kitchen will remain open for residential students on the Union campus from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. 

All vehicles parked on the Union campus must be relocated to the Vaughn-Eames overnight parking lot by 6 p.m. on Saturday to allow for storm cleanup. Vehicles parked elsewhere on campus are subject to relocation. 

Thomas A. Koc Jr., PT, DPT, Ph.D.

Program Director
Associate Professor
Office Location
NAAB 421
Email
tkoc@kean.edu
Phone
(908) 737-6175
Kean Professor Thomas Koc

Education

  • American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellow in Training, Regis University.
  • Ph.D., Health Science, Seton Hall University
  • DPT, Seton Hall University
  • B.S., Biology, Seton Hall University

Accomplishments

  • Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT)
  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Certified Clinical Instructor
  • Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Courses Taught

  • DPT 6003 Human Gross Anatomy (Cadaveric) 
  • DPT 6010 Human Physiology
  • DPT 6110 Physical Therapy Management of the Musculoskeletal System I
  • DPT 6111 Physical Therapy Management of the Musculoskeletal System II
  • DPT 6130 Exercise Physiology
  • DPT 6160 Physical Therapy Management of the Cardiopulmonary System
  • DPT 6230 Independent Study

Teaching Philosophy

Dr. Thomas Koc Jr is the Program Director, Department Chair, and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Kean University in Union, NJ. He earned his DPT degree in 2011 and his Ph.D degree, with a specialization in movement science, in 2017 from Seton Hall University. Dr. Koc has been practicing in both outpatient and inpatient hospital settings since 2011. In 2013, he earned his Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT) credentials through Great Lakes Seminars. He is also a Credentialed Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He received his board certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in July of 2020, through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Dr. Koc is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. His areas of research focuses on Orthopaedic/Sports Rehabilitation, Dysautonomia, Brain Injury; Concussion, and Gross Anatomy Physical Therapy Applications and Education.  

The andragogy that is used throughout my courses includes a mixture of Team Based Learning (TBL), Problem Based Learning (PBL), lecture, and lab instruction.  My teaching philosophy focuses on producing a learning environment that emphasizes the integration of foundational sciences into real life patient centered case scenarios. 

Selected Publications

Koc Jr, T., Bise, C., Neville, C., Carrerira, D., Martin, R., McDonough, C (2025). Re-interpreting the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Plantar Heel Pain through an International Lens. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 

 

Koc Jr, T., Tucker, J., Gentile, J., Enriquez, C., Lee, J., Jeanty, S.*, Krasowski, N.*. (2024) Handheld Dynamometer for Hamstring Strength Test Using Two Different Hand Placements/Methods: An Interrater Reliability Study. Rehabilitation Research and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9233802

 

Stavitz, J., Koc Jr, T.  Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Division III Athletes Regarding Personalized Nutrition Plans for Improved Performance – A Qualitative Investigation (2024).   Healthcare. 12(9), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090923

 

Ziaks, L., Tucker, J., Koc Jr, T., Dowdell, M. Giorello, G.*. (2024). A Novel Approach to Integrative Concussion Rehabilitation: A Pragmatic Study.  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – International. 11(1): 1222.

 

Koc Jr, T., Bise, C., Neville, C., Carrerira, D., Martin, R., McDonough, C (2023). Clinical Practice Guidelines: Heel Pain-plantar fasciitis: Revision 2023. (2023). Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 53:12, CPG1-CPG39.

 

Martin R., Cibulka, M.T., Bolgla, L., Koc Jr, T., Loudon, J., Manske, R., Weiss, L., Christoforetti, J., Heiderscheit, B. (2022).  Clinical Practice Guidelines: Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 52(3), 127-1, CPG1 – CPG44.  DOI:10.2519/jospt.2022.0301

 

Ziaks, L., Tucker, J., Koc Jr, T., Hanson, K., Puxted, F.*. (2022). Measurement of improvement in exercise intolerance testing for suspected dysautonomia in protracted concussion recovery: A Retrospective Pilot Study. Physiotherapy Theory & Practice.  DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2121949

 

Ziaks, L., Tucker, J., Koc Jr, T., Schaefer, A.*., Hanson, K. (2022). Identifying trends of dysautonomia signs and symptoms associated with protracted concussion recovery during the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test: A Retrospective Study. Brain Impairment, 1-10.  DOI:10.1017/Brimp.2022.5

 

Tucker, J., Marshall, T., Beitscher, l., Mueller, K.*, Coluccio, E.*, Koc Jr, T. (2022). The Effect of Self-Reported Balance Confidence on Community Integration after Brain Injury: An Observational Study Correlational Study. Brain Impairment, 1-10. DOI:10.1017/Brimp.2022.9 

 

Koc Jr, T, Marshall, T., Tucker, J., Gothhold, S.*, Hasanovic, R.*, Durante, C. (2021). Management of a Patient with Cavernous Malformation surgical repair at C7-T3: A Case Report.  Rehabilitation Science.  6(4), 53-59. DOI: 10.11648/j.rs.20210604.11

 

Koc Jr, T., Phillips, H., DeLuca, D., Kirschgessner, A. (2020). The Intra-rater Reliability of the Clavicular Jump Test (CJT): A Case Control Study.  International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 8(4), 1-5. 

 

Tucker, J., Beitscher, I., Koc Jr, T., Fama, G.*, Patel, J.*, Friedman, H.*. (2020). Creative Therapeutic Interventions for Clinicians to Promote Physical Activity in Older Adults with a History of Brain Injury: A Viewpoint.  Physical Therapy Reviews.  DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2020.1850164

 

Koc Jr, T., Marshall, T., Tucker, J., Fama, G. *, Patel, J.*. (2020). Management of a Patient with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, A New Perspective for the Physical Therapist: A Case Report. Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.  7(1), 1-4.  DOI: 10.7243/2055-2386-7-1

 

Koc Jr, T., Durante, M, Marshall, T, Bunales, I.A.*, Wint, M.*. (2019). The Immediate Effects of Knee Flexion Range of Motion Following Manual Therapy or Self-Stretching/Active Range of Motion Following a Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report. The Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 31(12), 1002-1005.  DOI: 10.1589/jpts.31.1002

 

Marshall, T., Lacamera, J.*, Apicella, E.*, Herron, S.*, Koc Jr, T. (2019). A Home-Based Exercise Program to Improve Neuromuscular and Spatio-Temporal Gait Parameters In A Multiple Myeloma Cancer Survivor With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report. Journal of Cancer Rehabilitation. 2, 36-43.