Program Course Descriptions

---

DPT Program Course Descriptions

DPT 700 Orientation to Physical Therapy (1 Credit)

Provide the student with an orientation to the physical therapy profession including specific clinical education policies and procedures and clinical placement.                Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 705 Orientation to Clinical Education in Physical Therapy (1 Credit)

Forum to disseminate information to students on contemporary professional issues in physical therapy. Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 711 Principles of Physical Assessment I (1 Credit)

Introduction to basic patient assessment skills, including surface palpation and vital signs. Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 712 Principles of Physical Assessment II (2 Credits)

Additional patient assessment skills, including manual muscle testing, reflex testing, sensory testing, and abdominal quadrant screening.                                                      Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in goodstanding.

DPT 713 Principles of Physical Assessment III (2 Credits)

Additional patient assessment skills, including goniometry, posture, anthropometric measures, with an introduction to patient history and documentation in SOAP note format. Prerequisites:Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 715 Patient Care Techniques (3 Credits)

Performance and application of positioning skills, bed mobility, transfers, and gait training techniques (including assistive devices) across the continuum of care.            Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 716 Principles of Therapeutic Exercise in Physical Therapy (2 Credits) *beginning Class of 2025

A theoretical and practical approach to therapeutic exercise and functional training as it applies to all populations.

DPT 720 Gross Human Anatomy I (2 Credits)

The study of gross human anatomy, including muscle, tendon, ligament, and vascular supply of the upper and lower extremities.                                                                                   Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing. Co-requisites:  DPT 721.

DPT 721 Gross Human Anatomy I Lab (1 Credit)

Gross human anatomy cadaver lab with supervised dissection and exploration of muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve innervation of the upper and lower extremities. Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing. Co-requisites: DPT 720.

DPT 722 Gross Human Anatomy II (2 Credits)

The study of gross human anatomy, including muscle, tendon, ligament, innervation and vascular supply of the head, neck, trunk, pelvic, thoracic, and abdominal regions. Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing. Co-requisites: DPT 723.

DPT 723 Gross Human Anatomy II Lab (1 Credit)

Gross human anatomy cadaver lab with dissection of muscle, tendon, ligament, innervation, andvascular supply of head, neck, trunk, pelvic, thoracic, and abdominal regions. Prereqisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing. Co-requisites: DPT 722

DPT 724 Pathophysiology (4 Credits)

Fundamentals of physiology and pathology related to diseases causing abnormal movement patterns or capabilities. Processes and diseases most frequently encountered in physical therapy practice emphasized.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 726 Orthopaedic Foundations (3 Credits)

Principles of orthopaedic physical therapy including biomechanics, applied anatomy, and osteokinematic and arthrokinematic concepts. Musculoskeletal system investigation from histological, structural, and functional perspectives.                                                                                                                                                                                                                Prerequisite: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 727 Health Promotion and Wellness (2 Credits)

This course will create a forum to prepare students for clinical competencies regarding health promotion/wellness as it relates to physical therapy.                                    Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 728 Clinical Exercise Physiology (3 Credits)

Overview of the physiologic responses of the human body to exercise and training in normal and patient populations.                                                                                        Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 729 Pharmacology in Physical Therapy (2 Credits)

Actions and effects of pharmaceutical agents commonly encountered in physical therapy clinical practice.                                                                                                             Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 735 Pain Neuroscience for Physical Therapy (1 Credit) *beginning Class of 2025

The neuroscience of pain and its application in physical therapist practice.

DPT 736 Neuroanatomy (3 Credits)

Anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems, emphasizing structure and functional relationships in normal and pathological states.                                            Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 738 Motor Control (2 Credits)

This course will prepare students to understand and apply motor control principles as it relates to physical therapy.                                                                                           Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 740 Physical Modalities (3 Credits)

The clinical application of soft tissue techniques, thermal agents, intermittent compression, continuous motion, electrical stimulation, and mechanical traction.              Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 742 Diagnostic Testing and Imaging (2 Credits)

Presentation of diagnostic tests and interpretation of results as it applies to physical therapy evaluation, intervention, planning and treatment.                                           Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 745 Integumentary System (2 Credits)

Clinical practice of wound care including assessment tools, dressings, and treatment approaches.                                                                                                                            Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 746 Orthopaedic Assessment (4 Credits)

Evaluation and assessment of upper and lower extremity orthopaedic dysfunctions.                                                                                                                                                    Prerequisites: DPT 726; open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 747 Physical Therapy Management for Select Populations - Previously Women’s Health in Physical Therapy (2 Credits)

Exploration of clinical practice related to specialty areas of physical therapy including pelvic health and other conditions related to gender-specific pathologies.                             Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 748 Prosthetics and Orthotics (2 Credits)

Design, fabrication and fitting, and management of individuals requiring prosthetic and orthotic devices.                                                                                                                Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 749 Neurological Assessment (1 Credit)

Physical therapy examination, evaluation, and assessment of individuals with neurologically based movement disorders.                                                                                    Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 751 Supervised Clinical Education I (6 weeks) (4 Credits)

This full-time first clinical education experience provides students the opportunity to actively engage in experiential learning and develop introductory clinical competence. Students are responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.                                                                                                                                                        Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 752 Supervised Clinical Education II (7 weeks) (5 Credits)

This full-time second clinical education experience provides students additional opportunities for experimential learning and further development of clinical competence. Students are responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.                                                                                                                                                                            Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 753 Supervised Clinical Education III (10 weeks) (7 Credits)

The third full-time clinical education experience provides students opportunities for refinement of their professional behaviors and examination skills, and development of intervention techniques.  Students are responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.                                                                                                            Prerequisites:  Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 754 Supervised Clinical Education IV (13 weeks) (9 Credits)

The fourth full-time clinical education experience provides students the opportunity to further develop skills and display clinical competence as an autonomous physical therapist. Student sare responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.                                                                                                                                                          Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 760 Professional Issues (2 Credits)

Professional issues pertinent to physical therapy including state and national associations, state and federal laws, standards of practice, and code of ethics.                      Prerequisite: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 761 Physical Therapy Management and Administration I (1 Credit)

Foundational concepts of business principles for DPT students with an emphasis on leadership, administration, management, and professionalism.                                  Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 762 Physical Therapy Management and Administration II (3 Credits)

General principles of organization and administration that impact the ethical and legal aspects of physical therapy practice.                                                                              Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 770 Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (4 Credits)

Manual therapy, exercise techniques, intervention, and progressions for individuals with orthopaedic pathologies and dysfunctions.                                                              Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 771 Neurological Rehabilitation (4 Credits)

Emphasis on hands-on skill development, clinical reasoning, and critical analysis for treating individuals with neurologically-based movement disorders.                            Prerequisites: Open only to DPT  students in good standing.

DPT 772 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (3 Credits)

Evaluation and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disease and dysfunction, emphasizing the response of cardiac, circulatory and pulmonary systems to exercise.      Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 774 Spine Assessment and Intervention (3 Credits)

Spine assessment and treatment, including mobilizations, special tests, and exercise progressions, in patients with spine dysfunction.                                                                      Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 775 Screening for Referral (4 Credits)

A systems-based approach to differential screening and diagnosis to determine if further medical referral is necessary.                                                                                      Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 778 Geriatric Physical Therapy (1 Credit)

This course will explore the physical and psycho-behavioral aspects of aging. Students will review typical physiologic response to aging and the effects of these changes on the function of older clients being treated in various physical therapy settings. A problem-solving approach to management of elder patients with varied degree of medical complexity in multiple settings willbe emphasized.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 779 Pediatric Physical Therapy (3 Credits)

Examination of the factors affecting normal and pathologic development in infants and childrento age 21 years. Additionally, treatment techniques appropriate to these populations will becovered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 781 Research in Physical Therapy I (3 Credits)

An introduction to clinical research in physical therapy, dealing with research design and methodology, as well as the development of a research project topic.                  Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 782 Research in Physical Therapy II (2 Credits)

Further development of the research topic, critical review of clinically relevant research literature, IRB submission, and the initiation of data collection.                                Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 783 Research in Physical Therapy III (3 Credits)

Use of SPSS for physical therapy related data analysis, including descriptive statistics, statistical inference, analysis of differences, and analysis of relationships.                Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 784 Research in Physical Therapy IV (1 Credit)

Continuation of the Research track in Physical Therapy. Emphasis placed on data collection and application of applied research statistics.                                                        Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 785 Research in Physical Therapy V (1 Credit)

Continuation of the Research track in Physical Therapy, with emphasis on research project completion and preliminary presentation to research advisor.                          Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

DPT 790 PT Seminar (1 Credit)

Completion of research project with dissemination of results in manuscript form and formal presentation to faculty and area clinicians.                                                          Prerequisites: Open only to DPT students in good standing.

Student Manual and Program Modifications

The Program reserves the right to make changes as necessary in course offerings, curricula,

academic policies, and other rules and regulations affecting students as noted in the DPT

Student Manual, to be effective upon approval of the Program faculty. The student is

responsible for knowing and fulfilling all degree-related requirements.