Degree Programs

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Traditional Doctorate in Physical Therapy is for the entry level student and allows the graduate to enter the physical therapy profession and to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to obtain state licensure. This program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The curriculum consists of three years of coursework in both the classroom and clinical environments. The didactic curriculum consists of courses in the foundational and clinical sciences taken at the campus in Winchester. The current clinical education program consists of three part-time and three full-time clinical experiences beginning in the spring of the first year. During the part-time clinical practicums, students are in the clinic one day per week. Full-time clinical internships can be anywhere in the nation, with a few international placements available. There are three clinical internships. The first lasts eight weeks, and the final two internships last 13 weeks each.

Curriculum:

Course Title Hrs.
Year 1, Term 1
PT 603 Gross Human Anatomy I 4
PT 609 Examination and Intervention 4
PT 623 Histophysiological Aspects of Movement I 3
PT 643 Evidence-Based Practice: Introduction to Research Design 3
PT 653 Professional Issues I 3
PT 761 Clinical Conference I 1
Subtotal 18
Year 1, Term 2
PT 604 Gross Human Anatomy II 4
PT 610 Musculoskeletal System I 3
PT 624 Histophysiological Aspects of Movement II 3
PT 656 Clinical Practicum I 1
PT 672 Functional Neuroanatomy 3
PT 682 Medical Foundations 2
PT 685 Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Therapy 2
Subtotal 18
Year 2, Term 1
PT 709 Musculoskeletal System II 3
PT 721 Pathology 3
PT 751 Clinical Practicum II 1
PT 762 Clinical Conference II 1
PT 771 Adult Neurotherapeutics 4
PT 781 Gait Analysis and Biomechanics 3
PT 790 Therapeutic Exercise 1
Subtotal 16
Year 2, Term 2
PT 703 Pediatric Physical Therapy 4
PT 710 Musculoskeletal System III 4
PT 732 Professional Issues II 2
PT 744 Prosthetics and Orthotics 2
PT 752 Clinical Practicum III 1
PT 792 Physical Agents 3
PT 891 Integumentary Disorders 1
Subtotal 17
Year 2, Term 3
PT 753 Clinical Internship I 3
Subtotal 3
Year 3, Term 1
PT 805 Gross Human Anatomy III 1
PT 821 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy 3
PT 831 Professional Issues III 2
PT 861 Clinical Conference III 1
PT 881 Advanced Topics 1
PT 897 Comprehensive Examinations 1
PT 898 Evidence Based Practice: Advanced Critical Analysis of the Literature and Implementing Research 3
Subtotal 12
Year 3, Term 2
PT 832 Establishing a Physical Therapy Practice/Direct Access 3
PT 854 Clinical Internship II 6
Subtotal 9
Year 3, Term 3
PT 855 Clinical Internship III 6
Subtotal 6
Total 99