FIRST YEAR, FALL SEMESTER

BIOL 610 - Gross Anatomy.  A study of human regional and surface anatomy with full cadaver dissection.  (6 credit hours)

PT 611 – Movement Science.  Basic theoretical principles of movement science including, motor control, motor learning, and motor development are presented. Application of these principles to the study of gait and transitional movements across the lifespan is explored.  General principles of biomechanics for movement analysis will be discussed.  Lecture, observation, and group discussions will provide students with active learning experiences in which to apply course material.  (2 credit hours)

PT 612 – Clinical Medicine I. The first course in this two-course sequence begins with an overview of cell injury, inflammation and repair. The physiology of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and nervous systems is presented. Fundamentals of pathology for each system are presented from various perspectives: etiology; pathogenesis; signs and symptoms; diagnosis, including laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging; and treatment options, including pharmacological intervention.  Emphasis is placed on identifying “red flags” that would indicate to a physical therapist that treatment may be contraindicated or referral to another health care provider is warranted.  Multiple formats including lecture, discussion and problem solving scenarios are used to assist students in making clinical correlations. (5 credit hours)

PT 617 – Clinical Seminar I. The clinic and the classroom are integrated within this first course of a three-course sequence.  Students explore the history and role of the profession of physical therapy within the healthcare system and healthcare team and begin to develop the professional behaviors and communication skills required to function in that role. Emphasis is on the application of this material to real-world situations through multiple clinic visits that occur throughout the semester.  Format includes lecture, group activities and clinic visits. (2 credit hours)

PT 619 – Clinical Skills I. This is the first in a series of three courses that covers the fundamental processes involved in patient/client examination, evaluation, and intervention in physical therapy practice. The essential patient care skills of bed mobility, transfers, and wheelchair/assistive device management are introduced.  A basic examination framework that can be utilized across diagnoses and throughout the lifespan is developed.  Beginning skills in history-taking and systems review are developed. A variety of tests and measures that address impairment and function are presented with an emphasis on screening within the four categories of pathology: cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and integumentary. Students begin to use medical terminology to document findings, using a variety of structured formats.  Class activities include lecture, lab, interaction with community volunteer patients, and problem solving with case studies. (6 credit hours)

FIRST YEAR, WINTER SEMESTER

PT 615 –Promoting Health and Wellness through Education. This course broadly defines health and the role of physical therapy in promoting health, reducing health disparities, and improving quality of life across the lifespan.  The influence of lifestyle and behaviors on health and the physical therapist’s ability to screen and intervene with exercise, stress reduction and nutrition counseling is explored.  The basic concepts of learning styles and methods and strategies of providing effective patient education are also presented.  Lecture, lab and a community-based health-screening project are included. (2 credit hours)

PT 620 - Applied Neuroscience.  A comprehensive overview of the anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system is presented.  Detailed neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous system is discussed.   Specific topics include the neurophysiological basis of motor control, motor learning, normal and abnormal movement.  Sensory, motor and perceptual systems as well as neural plasticity are explored.  In addition, clinical aspects of neurological conditions most applicable to the physical therapist are presented.   Information is presented in a lecture, laboratory and problem solving formats. (3 credit hours)

PT 621 – Functional Anatomy.  Regional functional and articular anatomy is explored and applied in a rehabilitation context.  Advanced principles of and instrumentation for motion analysis are utilized to develop a thorough understanding of human movement.  A capstone project provides the student experience in analysis and interpretation of functional movement patterns.  Lecture, observation, and laboratory activities are used to foster an understanding of this material. (4 credit hours)

PT 622 – Clinical Medicine II.  This is the second course in the two-course clinical medicine sequence. The physiology of the integumentary, endocrine, immune, rheumatic, hematologic, genitourinary, hepatic, pancreatic and biliary and gastrointestinal systems is presented. In addition, an overview of infectious diseases and oncology is provided. Fundamentals of pathology for each system are presented from various perspectives: etiology; pathogenesis; signs and symptoms; diagnosis, including laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging; and treatment options, including pharmacological intervention. Emphasis is placed on identifying “red flags” that would indicate to a physical therapist that treatment may be contraindicated or referral to another health care provider is warranted.  Multiple formats including lecture, discussion and problem solving scenarios are used to assist students in making clinical correlations. (4 credit hours)

PT 625 – Inquiry and Research Methods.  This course is designed to introduce the entry-level health professional student to evidence based practice and clinical research in physical therapy.  The skills learned in this course will enable students to develop an initial, general research question, locate the evidence and review the scientific literature and conduct critical appraisals of scientific articles.  Emphasis is on quantitative analysis.  Assignments throughout the course require student application of the information.  Teaching methods include lecture, discussion, small group activities, and use of computer data analysis. (3 credit hours)

PT 627 – Clinical Seminar II. This is the second course of a three-course sequence that integrates the clinic and the classroom.  Students explore issues related to morals and values, cultural and socioeconomic diversity, and psychosocial aspects of disability within the context of multiple clinical visits.  Legal and ethical issues in physical therapy practice are introduced. Format includes lecture, group activities and clinic visits. (2 credit hours)

PT 629 – Clinical Skills II.  Students develop beginning skills in physical therapy interventions for a variety of impairments and functional limitations across diagnoses and the lifespan.  Principles of exercise prescription and progression are presented for a variety of impairments and functional limitations.  Beginning manual therapy skills are introduced.  The role of the physical therapist in communication and patient/family education is emphasized. (4 credit hours)

FIRST YEAR, SUMMER SEMESTER I

PT 634 -  Inquiry III.  Students work in small groups to further their knowledge of scholarly methods and to begin the literature review and proposal development processes needed to implement their doctoral projects.  Topics may include group designs and outcomes research, single-subject and case reports, qualitative research methods, methodological and epidemiological research, literature reviews, and survey research. Teaching methods include discussion, small group activities, and use of computer data analysis tools. (Inquiry Track Only - 1 credit hour)

PT 635 – Service Learning Project.  Students develop, implement and evaluate individualized or small group service learning projects.  Projects may take on a variety of formats, but must have a common goal of promoting health for a group who otherwise would not have access to that service.  Students contract with service learning coordinators for specific requirements. (1 credit hour)

PT 636 – Clinical Skills III.  Students further develop skills in physical therapy interventions specific to therapeutic modalities and electrotherapy, with emphasis on integrating these interventions into a comprehensive plan of care for patients across diagnoses and across the lifespan.  (3 credit hours)

PT 637 – Clinical Skills Assessment.  This course entails a comprehensive assessment of clinical skills and professional behaviors developed in the first year of the curriculum. This assessment takes place within the context of a clinical environment. (1 credit hour)

PT 639 - Lifespan Development I.  Theories of motor development across the lifespan are presented within the context of physical therapy practice. Normal age related change across childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging are explored. (2 credit hours)

SECOND YEAR, FALL SEMESTER

PT 641 – Examination of and Intervention for Musculoskeletal Conditions I.    Students are exposed to the role of the physical therapist in examining musculoskeletal conditions across the lifespan and continuum of care.  Patient management is presented in a format consistent with the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and a template for the examination and evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal conditions is developed.  Examination processes are regionally applied and students gain initial exposure to differential diagnosis and interventions. Lecture, lab, and case studies are utilized to develop and integrate these concepts. (3 credit hours)

PT 642 – Examination of and Intervention for Integumentary and Medical Conditions.  This course addresses physical therapy examination and interventions for integumentary and medical conditions across the lifespan and continuum of care. Issues associated with the lymphatic system and women’s health are included. Teaching methods include lecture, lab and case studies. (3 credit hours)

PT 643 – Examination of and Intervention for Neuromuscular Conditions I.   The framework for examination and intervention is applied and expanded to patients with neuromuscular diagnoses across the lifespan and continuum of care. The course focuses on functional areas of importance including mobility, transfers, wheelchair skills, balance, gait and upper extremity function.  Lecture, lab and case studies are used. (4 credit hours)

PT 644 - Inquiry IV.  Students work with faculty advisors to finalize and defend their doctoral project proposals and submit them for institutional review if necessary.  Teaching methods include a combination of group work with faculty advisors and formal class meetings across project groups.  (Inquiry Track Only - 1 credit hour)

PT 647 – Clinical Experience I.  Students participate in an eight-week clinical rotation that focuses on continued development of basic patient management skills from examination through intervention.  This is the first of four full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum. (4 credit hours)

SECOND YEAR, WINTER SEMESTER

PT 651 – Examination of and Intervention for Musculoskeletal Conditions II.   Students further develop concepts of differential diagnosis, prognosis, and interventions for patients with musculoskeletal conditions across the lifespan and continuum of care.  Lecture, lab, and case studies are utilized to develop and integrate these concepts.  (4 credit hours)

PT 652 – Examination of and Intervention for Cardiopulmonary Conditions. This course addresses physical therapy examination and interventions for cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions across the lifespan and continuum of care. Teaching methods include lecture, lab and case studies. (4 credit hours)

PT 653 – Examination of and Intervention for Neuromuscular Conditions II.  Students build on their examination and intervention framework and neuroscience foundation to approach patients within the neuromuscular practice patterns across the lifespan and continuum of care.  Specific examination and intervention techniques, special topics and prognosticating related to the practice patterns are covered.  Lecture, lab and case studies are used. (3 credit hours)

PT 654 - Inquiry V.  Students work with faculty advisors to implement their doctoral projects.  (Inquiry Track Only - 1 credit hour)

PT 656 – Administration Roles. This course explores roles of the physical therapist in administration and management.   Health care economics, budgeting, supervision, planning, marketing, and public relations are specifically addressed. (3 credit hours)

PT 658 – Professional Development Elective.  Students enroll in an interdisciplinary course, an independent study, or a course offered by another department to explore a specific area of practice and to enhance understanding of the interdisciplinary team approach.  (Professional Development Track Only – May be taken more than once for a total of 6 credit hours)

PT 659 – Lifespan Development II.  Students build on their experiences with pediatric and geriatric clients as they explore the special biopsychosocial, cultural, legal and health care system issues related to pediatric and geriatric care.  Lecture, lab and case studies are used. (2 credit hours)

SECOND YEAR, SUMMER SEMESTER I

PT 664 - Inquiry VI.  Students continue work with faculty advisors to implement their doctoral projects. (Inquiry Track Only - 1 credit hour)

PT 667 – Clinical Seminar III.  The final course in this three-course sequence provides opportunities for students to discuss issues in the context of their previous and future clinical experiences. Topics include legal and ethical issues, delegation and supervision, issues related to the healthcare environment and reimbursement, and other practice concerns. (1 credit hour)

PT 685 – Promoting Health and Wellness through Education II. This course examines the role of physical therapy in promoting health in specialized segments of the population.  Emphasis is placed on creating healthy behaviors through assessing community health needs, community health education, and implementing programs to enhance health and fitness of well and special populations. Lecture, lab and community-based projects are included. (2 credit hours)

SECOND YEAR, SUMMER SEMESTER II

PT 677 – Clinical Experience II. Students participate in an eight-week clinical rotation that focuses on development of patient management skills from examination through intervention.  This is the second of four full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum.  (4 credit hours)

THIRD YEAR, FALL SEMESTER

PT 662 – Examination of and Intervention for Complex Medical Conditions. This course addresses physical therapy examination and intervention for critically ill patients, those with multi-organ involvement, and those with complicating psychosocial and environmental issues. Teaching methods include case studies, discussion, and clinical visits. (2 credit hours)

PT 681 – Examination of and Intervention for Musculoskeletal Conditions III.  This course exposes students to musculoskeletal topics in greater depth to facilitate a global understanding of the role of the musculoskeletal physical therapist across the lifespan and continuum of care.  Topics are addressed with lecture, workshops, lab, and complex case studies. (3 credit hours)

PT 683 - Examination of and Intervention for Neuromuscular Conditions III.   This course presents advanced topics related to the examination and intervention of patients with neuromuscular dysfunction across the lifespan and continuum of care.  Emphasis is placed on intervention techniques, communication/coordination of care and management of complex patients.  Lecture, lab and case studies are used. (2 credit hours)

PT 684 - Inquiry VII.  Students learn technical aspects of writing for publication and presenting to professional audiences.  Students produce multiple iterations of papers and presentations of their doctoral projects in response to peer, instructor, and advisor feedback.  (Inquiry Track Only - 1 credit hour)

PT 687 - Clinical Experience III. Students participate in an eight-week clinical rotation that focuses on development of patient management skills from examination through intervention.  This is the third of four full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum. (4 credit hours)

PT 688 - Specialty Seminar.  Groups of students work with individual faculty members to investigate specialized aspects of physical therapy practice. (2 credit hours)

PT 689 – Professional Issues.  Major issues facing the profession of physical therapy are presented in discussion and debate format. Students develop a plan for professional development and lifelong learning. (1 credit hour)

THIRD YEAR, WINTER SEMESTER

PT 694 - Inquiry VIII.  Students complete their doctoral projects.  Activities include an oral defense and faculty approval of the written project. (Inquiry Track Only - 1 credit hour)

PT 697 - Clinical Internship. Students participate in a 15 week internship that focuses on development of entry-level patient management skills from examination through intervention, as well as development of other skills related to practice such as consultation and administration.  This is the culminating full-time clinical rotation after which students are expected to possess the skills and behaviors required to enter practice as a physical therapist.  (8 credit hours)