Physical Therapy

Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Corequisite: PT 700L. This course promotes an understanding of the structural and functional organization of the human body with an emphasis on the appendicular skeleton and the neuromusculoskeletal system, including organ systems. Dissected and prosected cadavers, models and audiovisual materials are used to identify and …

Prerequisite: Admission to the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 702L. Designed to explore the biomechanical and kinesiological principles underlying movement during upper extremity (UE) functional activities and exercise. Lectures will focus on the biomechanical principles underlying human movement, including muscle and tissue mechanics, muscle and joint leverage, internal and external torque production, kinematics, and kinetics as …

Prerequisites: PT 702/L. Corequisite: PT 703L. Designed to explore the biomechanical and kinesiological principles underlying movement of the spine and lower extremities during functional activities and exercise. Lectures will focus on applied biomechanics of the lower extremities and spine, with an emphasis on functional activities such as gait. Labs will focus on the application and …

Prerequisite: Admission to the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 704L. Principles of circulatory, respiratory, neuromuscular, integumentary and metabolic physiology as applied to physical therapy procedures and therapeutic exercise.

Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. Corequisite: PT 706L. Study of the normal structure and function of the peripheral and central nervous system as a basis for understanding clinical manifestations seen in individuals with neurologic disorders. Includes an in-depth introduction to neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neurophysiology.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Study of abnormal functioning of neuromusculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, integumentary, metabolic, and endocrine systems.

Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Corequisite: PT 711L. Covers basic patient handling techniques and therapeutic physical modalities. Emphasis on body mechanics, draping, positioning, bed mobility, transfer, ambulation, ambulatory aids, wheelchair mobility and fitting. Physiological and physical bases for selection and application of therapeutic physical modalities, including thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic and …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 712L. Clinical evidence for selection and application of electrotherapy and electrophysiologic assessment procedures commonly used in evaluation and treatment of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders using physiologic and physical principles. Three major areas of electrotherapy, including pain, neuromuscular and wound management, will be …

Prerequisites: PT 700/L. Corequisite: PT 720L. The first of a 3-semester course sequence focusing on the examination and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction. Emphasis is on the evaluation of and evidence-based treatment interventions for orthopaedic peripheral dysfunction and impairments.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 730L. The second of a 3-semester course sequence focusing on the examination and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction. Emphasis is on the evaluation of and evidence-based treatment interventions for orthopaedic spinal dysfunction and impairment.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 732L. Physical therapy examination and management of patients/clients with neurologic system impairments and related activity limitations. Emphasis is on knowledge, choice, technical performance, interpretation of results, and clinical decision making related to sensory, motor and functional testing for patients with nervous system …

Prerequisites: PT 732/L. Corequisite: PT 733L. Advanced study of the philosophies, treatment approaches and intervention skills used for the physical therapy management of patients/clients with neurologic system dysfunction. Emphasis is on the choice and application of evidence-based treatment interventions and the development of clinical decision-making skills.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 734L. Principles of cardiovascular and pulmonary pathophysiology and the physical therapy evaluation and treatment of patients with these disorders. Aspects of acute care will be emphasized. Utilization of selected demonstrations, lab activities and assigned readings.

Prerequisites: PT 720/L, PT 730/L. Corequisite: 740L. The third of a 3-semester course sequence focusing on the development of differential diagnosis, advanced examination and evaluation skills and therapeutic intervention strategies in the management of musculoskeletal system dysfunction. Emphasis is on critical thinking, collaborative learning in clinical decision making, evidence-based practice and service learning. Students will …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 742L. Examination, evaluation, and management of pediatric populations with genetic and acquired disorders resulting in impairments in neurologic and musculoskeletal systems, cognitive dysfunction and learning disabilities. Emphasis is on developing observation skills to identify developmental delays in infants and toddlers.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Designed to develop the student’s ability to choose optimal interventions for the older adult by integrating the basic sciences and evidence-based application of examination, evaluation and intervention. The continuum of the elite older adult athlete to the frail older adult will be explored to …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first year coursework in the DPT Program. Advanced concepts and application of therapeutic exercise to address functional limitations and to promote health, fitness and wellness. Emphasis is on therapeutic exercise as an optimal intervention to address impairments and to promote health and quality of life.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. An introduction to the research methods that apply to evidence-based clinical decision making in the practice of physical therapy.

Prerequisite: PT 750. Corequisite: PT 752C. This course is designed to provide the students with guidance in the appraisal of physical therapy and medical research literature in order to develop a written doctoral project to a) evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions associated with specific physical therapy and medical diagnoses by completing a systematic …

Prerequisite: PT 752A. Corequisite: PT 752C. Doctoral research project requiring the student under the guidance of faculty sponsor to answer a research question that (a) evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions associated with specific physical therapy and medical diagnoses by completing a systematic literature review or (b) provides physical therapy related research evidence by conducting …

Prerequisite: PT 750. Corequisites: PT 752A, PT 752B. Advancement to Candidacy and consent of advisor. Researched doctoral project in an area of specialization in physical therapy under the direction of a faculty sponsor. The student will select one of the two emphases: systematic literature review and supervised research. In systematic literature review emphasis, the student will …

Prerequisite: Admission to the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 760L. Introduction to the practice of physical therapy, including the APTA Code of Ethics and Standards and professional expectations. Instruction in foundational clinical skills, including subjective examination, history taking and medical record documentation for the practice of physical therapy. Theory, principles and current research applicable to patient/family education, …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. A study of pharmacological interventions for individuals with dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and integumentary systems.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Designed to promote an understanding of the relationship between principles of neurology and the development of motor skills from birth through senescence. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of perceptual-motor skills in infants and toddlers. Motor control and motor learning principles and theories will …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 772L. Designed to promote an in-depth understanding of the arthrokinematic, biomechanical, kinematic and kinetic characteristics of gait and running in normal individuals, and functional movement analysis in patients/clients with disabilities and functional limitations. Both observational and instrumented gait analyses will be emphasized …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Introduction to principles of imaging, including radiography, CT scans, MRI, special studies and arthrography used in diagnosing a variety of medical conditions and diseases.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Study of the signs and symptoms manifested by patients/clients and the process of relating them to specific medical conditions and diseases. Instruction on systematic techniques used to identify symptom patterns for the determination of a PT diagnosis. Includes screening process for referral to other …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 775L. Designed to promote an in-depth understanding of the arthrokinematic, biomechanical, kinematic and kinetic characteristics of functional movement in patients/clients with amputations and functional loss. Students will study the biomechanical principles of upper and lower extremity orthotic and prosthetic management and apply …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 776L. This course will provide graduate students in physical therapy with an opportunity to improve their skills in evaluating, analyzing and treating patients with musculoskeletal pain using the current concept and techniques of movement system impairment (MSI). An emphasis is placed on (a) …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 778L. Advanced concepts and application of wellness practices in physical therapy and alternative complementary therapeutic interventions to address functional limitations and to promote health, fitness and wellness. Emphasis is on addressing overall health and quality of life.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. This course examines the role of the professional physical therapist as an administrator and manager of patient care, personnel and resources, with consideration for ethical, medical and legal implications. Various business models, reimbursement practices and organizational structures will be examined.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. A seminar-discussion course centering on advanced study in subject matter areas at the doctoral level in physical therapy. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, collaborative learning in clinical decision making, and evidence-based practice.

Prerequisite: Admission to the DPT Program. Preparation for the students’ clinical internships. Applying the didatic skills and education to the clinical practice setting.

Prerequisites: PT 794 and PT 794I. Preparation for the students’ clinical internships. Applying the didactic skills and education to the clinical practice setting.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 794I. Supervision and advisement by PT faculty of supervised clinical fieldwork. Student establishes learning plan and goals. Mid-term site visit by faculty. A minimum of 8 weeks in a supervised clinical experience. Summer session. A clinical education course. (Credit/No Credit only)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 794. Experience in evaluation, program planning and application of physical therapy procedures in a supervised clinical environment by clinical instructor. A minimum of 8 weeks in a supervised clinical experience. Summer session. A clinical education course. (Credit/No Credit only)

Prerequisites: PT 794 and PT 794I; Successful completion of all second-year coursework in the DPT Program. Supervision and advisement by PT faculty of supervised clinical fieldwork. Approximately 12 weeks in a supervised clinical experience. Summer session. A clinical education course. (Credit/No Credit only)

Prerequisites: PT 794 and PT 794I; Successful completion of the first two academic years in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 794I. Experience in evaluation, program planning and application of physical therapy procedures in a supervised clinical environment by clinical instructor. Approximately 12 weeks in a supervised clinical experience. Summer session. A clinical education course. (Credit/No …

Prerequisite: Enrolled in last semester of coursework in the DPT Program. Guided preparation and review for the culminating examination. (Credit/No Credit only)

Prerequisites: PT 794 and PT 794I, PT 796 and PT 796I; Successful completion of all third-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 798I. Supervision and advisement by PT faculty of supervised clinical fieldwork. Student establishes learning plan and goal, Mid-term site visit by faculty. Approximately 12 weeks in a supervised clinical experience. Summer session. …

Prerequisites: PT 794 and PT 794I, PT 796 and PT 796I; Successful completion of all third-year coursework in the DPT Program. Corequisite: PT 798. Experience in evaluation, program planning and application of physical therapy procedures in a supervised clinical environment under the direct supervision of clinical faculty. Approximately 12 weeks in a supervised clinical experience. …

Prerequisite: Successful completion of all first-year coursework in the DPT Program. Enrollment with advisor approval only. Investigation of a significant issue related to the physical therapy field. (Credit/No Credit only)