Course Sequence and Curriculum
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

The seven courses in this area provide the foundation for an understanding of “normal” structure and function. Although they are foundational in nature, each course stresses clinical application of knowledge and concepts. The key question used to identify appropriate content in these courses is: “How will this knowledge or these concepts equip students for physical therapist practice?”

The 17 courses in this content area emphasize medical and physical therapy identification of health conditions and deviations from “normal” structure and function. Students will learn to identify and manage impairments as well as limitations in activity and participation. These courses, for the most part, are systems-based. Management of patients in these courses will include consideration of the impact of contextual factors and medical diagnosis and treatment. Each of the system-based courses will address all aspects of the patient-client model (e.g., examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes). Evidence related to tests and measures, prediction models, and interventions will be explored. The courses are structured to promote critical thinking and to explore interprofessional management of patients/clients while considering ethical and legal issues. Management of patients/clients across the life span will be addressed.

The five courses in this area are intended to develop the skills and knowledge needed for students to become efficient and effective users of evidence. Students will also develop an appreciation for the need to balance the evidence with their experience and the patients’ preferences. Tools will be identified and skills developed that will promote life-long learning and the ability to remain current in the practice of physical therapy. Knowledge and skills necessary to add to the evidence through research will also be stressed. It is expected that the knowledge and skills gained in these courses will be applied to critical analysis of tests and measures and interventions addressed in the Clinical/Physical Therapy science courses.

An understanding of the context in which health care occurs is critical for effective patient/client management. Each of the six courses in this area are designed to help students understand this context by addressing the role of government and professional organizations in health care, the importance of collaborating with others on the health care team in order to promote more efficient and effective use of limited resources, cultural and psychosocial issues that impact patient/client management, approaches to teaching as an intervention utilized heavily in physical therapy practice, and how to manage health care services in a variety of different settings. The final course guides the students in evaluating their own professional engagement and planning for future professional development as they enter practice as licensed physical therapists.

The clinical experience series is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and behaviors required for safe and effective physical therapy practice. Students will be exposed to a variety of physical therapy practice settings and to a wide-range of patient populations across the lifespan by the completion of the 36 weeks of full-time clinical experiences.