Physical Therapy Program (Doctor of Physical Therapy)

Degree Requirements

The DPT degree requires completion of a three-year academic program with satisfactory completion of clinical education courses. Students must achieve an overall GPA of 5.0 or higher both prior to beginning the final clinical internships (PTP 734 , PTP 735 , PTP 736 ) and upon completion of the degree program. The program is completed in three consecutive years on a full-time basis. Each academic calendar is a 14-week Fall and Winter semester followed by a 10-week (first year) or 11-week (second year) Spring semester. A part-time curriculum is also available. 

Course Requirements (119 credits). 

Year One

Fall Semester (16 credits)
PTP 510 Human Anatomy (cadavers).  
PTP 511 Kinesiology and Applied Anatomy.  
PTP 564 Clinical Observation Skills and Communication.  
PTP 580 Professionalism and Ethics.  
PTP 585 Therapeutic Relationships and Cultural Competency.  

Winter Semester (17 credits)
PTP 512 Neuroscience in Physical Therapy.  (first 7 weeks)
PTP 530 Introduction to Clinical Practice.  
PTP 560 Research Methods.  [includes stats lab]
PTP 565 Fundamental Tests and Measures in Examination.  
PTP 567 Neurologic Diseases and Disorders.  (second 7 weeks)
PTP 581 Teaching, Learning and Health Education. 
PTP 582 Body Systems Through the Life Span.  

Spring/Summer Semester (12 credits)
PTP 521 Musculoskeletal Diseases and Disorders.  
PTP 546 Pharmacology in Practice.   
PTP 650 Electrotherapeutic and Physical Modalities.  
PTP 661 Literature Analysis in Evidence-Based Practice.   

Year Two

Fall Semester (17 credits)
PTP 621 Musculoskeletal Examination in Practice.  
PTP 640 Medical/Surgical Conditions in Practice.  
PTP 644 Metabolic, Endocrine & Integumentary Diseases and Disorders.  
PTP 667 Neuromuscular Examination in Practice.  
PTP 670 Fundamental Procedural Interventions.  
PTP 671 Cardiopulmonary Diseases and Disorders.  
PTP 682 Pediatric Diseases and Disorders and Examination in Practice. 

Winter Semester (16 credits)
PTP 622 Musculoskeletal Plan of Care in Practice.  
PTP 645 Metabolic, Endocrine & Integument Examination in Practice.  
PTP 660 Critical Inquiry Project.  
PTP 668 Neuromuscular Plan of Care in Practice.  
PTP 672 Cardiopulmonary Examination in Practice.  
PTP 782 Pediatric Plan of Care in Practice.   

Spring/Summer Semester (13 credits)
PTP 632 Clinical Education II.  
PTP 641 Medical/Surgical Conditions, Examination, and Plan of Care. 
PTP 646 Metabolic, Endocrine & Integumentary Plan of Care in Practice.  
PTP 673 Cardiopulmonary Plan of Care in Practice.  
PTP 694 Professional Service Learning I.  
PTP 783 Geriatrics in Practice.   

Year Three

Fall Semester (13 credits)
PTP 733 Clinical Education III.  
PTP 761 Evidence-Based Practice.  
PTP 770 Assistive Technology in Accessibility. 
PTP 780 Clinical Decision Making in Complex Clinical Problems.  
PTP 785 Therapeutic Relationships and Cultural Competency III.  
PTP 792 Management in Physical Therapy Practice.  
PTP 793 Professional Issues in Practice.  
PTP 794 Professional Service Learning II.  

Winter Semester (10 credits)
PTP 734 Clinical Education IV.  
PTP 735 Clinical Education V.   

Spring/Summer Semester (5 credits)
PTP 736 Clinical Education VI.  

Sequence Requirements
Courses in the professional preparation program are intended to be taken in a prescribed sequence. It is important for students to recognize that the Physical Therapy Professional Preparation Program is not just a series of courses but instead a professional preparation program in which appropriate sequence is critical for assuring intended educational outcomes. Waiver of courses in Years 1-3 taken prior to admission to the program is the prerogative of the Physical Therapy faculty. “Courses taken more than 5 years prior to the semester in which the students starts the program will not be considered for a course waiver.”