Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum
The transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program provides practicing clinicians with excellent professional education to be autonomous practitioners. The transitional degree is a clinical degree, not a research degree. It responds to the goal of the American Physical Therapy Association for all physical therapists to have professional doctoral degrees by 2020. The program is open to physical therapists holding a current license to practice physical therapy in the United States who have completed a bachelors‘ or masters‘ degree and have a certificate of graduation from an accredited physical therapy program.
Students take five core courses and two elective courses.
Degree Requirements
7 core courses, including:
| PTH 760 |
Ethics and Leadership |
2 Credits |
| The applied ethics portion of this course is an integrated review of the principles of ethics specific to physical therapy practice and includes topics of professionalism, moral reasoning, PT code of ethics, societal values and mores, conflicts of interest, and ethical patient care. The leadership portion of the course will challenge the participants to see the leadership within themselves and review various views of leadership in professional and nonprofessional literature. | ||
| PTH 761 |
Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy |
2 Credits |
| This course introduces the experienced physical therapist to a differential diagnosis process using the essential components of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. It includes the fundamental concepts of using the evidence to determine the diagnostic utility of the various tests and measures employed in physical therapy practice. | ||
| PTH 762 |
Exercise Prescription and Application for the Physical Therapist |
2 Credits |
| This course is designed to instruct physical therapists about the appropriate generation and application of exercise prescription for various pathologies, as well as a means of primary disease prevention and health enhancement. | ||
| PTH 763 |
Imaging and Pharmacology |
2 Credits |
| Imaging Unit: This unit will focus on the principles, procedures, and interpretation of diagnostic imaging techniques through patient cases. Plain film radiography, myelograms, CT scans, MRI, and nuclear medicine are included. Pharmacology Unit: This unit is a focused review of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, along with common medications, their effects and side effects, encountered within physical therapy practices. | ||
| PTH 764 |
Evidence-Based Practice |
2 Credits |
| This course is designed to provide the experienced physical therapist with a systematic method to critically evaluate and integrate the results of current scientific literature into the clinical decision-making process of patient management. Students will participate in discussions and practical exercises to articulate clinical questions that can be answered through sources of scientific evidence. | ||
| 2 elective courses from the following: | ||
| PTH 711 |
Promoting Skill Acquisition in Neurologic Clients |
2 Credits |
| The purpose of this course is to update physical therapists on contemporary concepts in motor learning for clients with neurologic dysfunction. Students will explore important animal and human research that provides a basis for cortical reorganization and neuroplastic changes in the intact and pathologic brain. The course will include content on learning, memory and motivation, and their roles in skill acquisition/functional improvement. | ||
| PTH 772 |
Physical Examination and Treatment of the Musculoskeletal System Part I: Upper Quarter |
2 Credits |
| This course in an in-depth approach to the physical examination of the upper quarter utilizing a comprehensive baseline examination augmented by tests and measures with the highest diagnostic utility. Special emphasis on applying treatment principles and techniques consistent with the evidence for benefit and best clinical practice is also covered. | ||
| PTH 773 |
Physical Examination and Treatment of the Musculoskeletal System Part II: Lower Quarter |
2 Credits |
| This course is an in-depth approach to the physical examination of the lower quarter utilizing a comprehensive baseline examination augmented by tests and measures with the highest diagnostic utility. Emphasis on applying treatment principles and techniques consistent with the evidence for benefit and best clinical practice is also covered. | ||
| PTH 775 |
Geriatric Rehabilitation - Principles of Practice |
2 Credits |
| This course is designed to prepare physical therapists to work effectively with the older adult in a variety of settings. Participants will learn the difference between "normal" aging and pathological changes commonly seen in the older adult. Students will be encouraged to explore the literature to find supporting evidence for therapeutic interventions. | ||
| PTH 780 |
Advanced Clinical Internship |
3 Credits |
| A seven-week, full-time clinical experience for recent graduates of an entry-level Physical Therapy program toparticipate in the development of advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, and ethical issues in orthopedic physical therapy and neurological, geriatric, and pediatric physical therapy. Required for TDPT students with less than one year of clinical practice at program completion. | ||
An advanced Clinical Internship is required of students with less than one year of clinical practice.
