This course follows a regional approach to gross anatomy of the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems of the upper and lower extremities, thorax and head and neck. Supplemented by cross sectional anatomy, radiographic and digital imaging.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course provides a framework for understanding the structural and functional organization of the human nervous system. Principles and applications of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and functional correlates are included. Finally, diseases and dysfunctions of the nervous system that are relevant to current practice are introduced.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course investigates movement science with emphasis on foundational biomechanical principles related to human posture and movement. Qualitative and quantitative movement analysis is presented with emphasis on clinical application.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course will provide students with the current state of knowledge in the physiology of exercise. A systems approach will be used to provide a thorough understanding of the acute and chronic adaptations to exercise training, with an emphasis on the mechanisms underlying these adaptations.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course addresses functional movement across the life span in healthy individuals. Emphasis is on stages in life when the greatest changes in motor behavior occur and the factors that influence those changes. Developmental changes in all systems and their contributions to functional movement will be explored.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course presents the foundation of motor learning and control as it applies to optimal movement across the lifespan. Emphasis is on variables related to task composition, the environment and augmented information that enhance practice of motor skills. These principles are applied to physical therapist practice.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course is focused from the perspective of the practitioner as a person.General psycho-emotional issues and specific theories related to: practitioner self-awareness, emotions, spirituality, grief-loss-mourning, psych factors associated with the experience of pain will be presented.Introduction to motivational interviewing is included

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

Builds on knowledge, skills and attitudes gained in DPTR 5161 with additional focus on general issues and theories related to: changing behaviors, depression and anxiety, sexuality in rehabilitation, suicidal behavior, addiction in society, stress management and conflict resolution.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.

Disease prevention and health promotion are recognized as integral aspects of physical therapist practice. In this first of two courses, students will use current models of behavior change, disability, and population health to understand the multiple determinants of health and wellness. Using oneself as the client, students will complete an individual health assessment, identify areas of growth, and generate a plan to promote their own health and wellness.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course introduces the physical therapist’s examination of the patient. This course will familiarize the student with the ICF framework and emphasize foundational examination skills including, manual muscle testing, goniometry and surface palpation.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course emphasizes developing a process of hypothesis generation to direct clinical decision making during the examination part of the patient encounter. Skill development includes examination techniques of the integumentary, cardiovascular/pulmonary, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal systems, including analysis of human movement.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course introduces basic examination and intervention principles and techniques for posture and positioning, basic mobility with and without assistive devices, soft tissue mobilization, and physical agents, for improving functional mobility and for managing a variety of clinical populations.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

Further introduction and advancement of foundational intervention principles and techniques including soft tissue mobilization, physical agents and electrotherapeutic modalities. Emphasis is on the application of exercise as an intervention for improving functional mobility and for managing a variety of clinical problems.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course highlights the physical therapy management of patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic disorders across the lifespan and healthcare settings. Physiology, medical management, diagnostic testing, clinical decision making and medical screening are covered with implications for physical therapist’s practice.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course introduces the examination, clinical decision-making and physical therapy management of musculoskeletal disorders across the life span, focusing on the lower quarter from the pelvis to the foot and ankle. Medical management, including radiology and pharmacology, are covered with implications for physical therapy interventions.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

Clinical decision-making frameworks are discussed for management of people with neurologic conditions with an emphasis on stroke and cerebral palsy. Clinical skills are taught for examination, evaluation and intervention across the lifespan and across settings. Evidence based practice and manual guidance are emphasized for intervention.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course covers and applies concepts and steps of evidence-based practice to a variety of clinical settings, including: searching; selection; and appraisal of the literature. Emphasis is on searching the literature to answer clinical questions regarding physical therapy tests and measures, interventions, and patient prognosis.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This introductory course teaches students to integrate current evidence with critical reasoning in the ICF framework to facilitate patient-centered decision making in the examination, prognosis, and intervention for elementary patient cases across a variety of clinical practice settings.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

First in a series of courses on professional development. Students will explore self and begin the journey of becoming a physical therapist, including personal and professional values and professional communication/ behaviors. Concepts of continuum of care and population health will be introduced. Requisite: DPT Program students only.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

The course will include a basic overview of healthcare systems and payment systems. Concepts relevant to supervision and applicable laws to physical therapist practice will be reviewed, and patient quality improvement and safety will be introduced.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue study and learning content of their own choosing or a special clinical interest under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue study and learning content of their own choosing or a special clinical interest under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue study and learning content of their own choosing or a special clinical interest under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

Short-term clinical education experience providing initial foundation and understanding of clinical practice with emphasis on integration of didactic and clinical learning while working in a student team. Prerequisites: DPT Program students only

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course follows a regional approach to gross anatomy of the systems of the abdomen and pelvis and supplemented by cross sectional anatomy radiographic and digital imaging. An in-depth study of upper and lower extremity arthrology through cadaver dissection is included.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

Application of movement science in physical therapy practice with emphasis on human movement related to aging, clinical analysis, tests & measures, and prosthetics & orthotics.The prosthetic & orthotic unit is designed to build student competency in clinical management of individuals who require use of common prosthetic & orthotic devices

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course continues the physical therapy management of patients with varied medical conditions (cancer; rheumatic) occurring across the lifespan and health care settings. Physiology, medical management, diagnostic testing, clinical decision making and medical screening are covered with implications for physical therapist’s practice.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course continues the physical therapist management of medical conditions. Integumentary, endocrine, transplant, geriatric and ICU care are emphasized. Physical therapist’s clinical decision-making and differential diagnosis are advanced while integrating physiology, medical and pharmacological management and diagnostic testing.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course continues examination, clinical decision-making and physical therapy management of people with musculoskeletal disorders across the life span, focusing on the cervicothoracic spine and temporomandibular disorders. Medical management, radiology and pharmacology are covered with implications for physical therapy interventions.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course continues the examination, clinical decision-making and physical therapy management of people with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders across the life span, focusing on upper extremity, pediatric, geriatric, in-patient, working adults and gender-specific conditions. MSK medical management, radiology and pharmacology are covered.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course includes an in-depth exploration of people with neurodegenerative conditions across the lifespan, specifically as related to tests and measures, prognoses, and intervention approaches. Radiology and pharmacology as related to neuropathy are included.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course progresses and synthesizes clinical skills, decision-making and reasoning (including use of frameworks and evidence) as applied the physical therapy management for people with neurological conditions across the lifespan. The physical therapist’s role across settings and the continuum of care will be explored.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This advanced course teaches students to integrate current evidence with critical reasoning in the ICF framework to facilitate patient-centered decision making in the examination, prognosis, and for intervention for complex patient cases across a variety of clinical practice settings.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.

This course requires students to integrate evidence, patient values, and clinical expertise with the ICF model of clinical decision making for actual patient cases. Students will identify and answer focused questions regarding examination, intervention, and prognosis through literature searches and online collegial discussion forums. Requirement: DPT Students only

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

Explores professional roles and responsibilities related to the DPT. Extends beyond patient management to policy, advocacy, teamwork and practice settings. Overview of history of profession and our professional organization, current issues and trends. Looks at career options and post-professional opportunities.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.

Introduction to management and leadership in healthcare, including leadership styles/characteristics and leadership development. Explores professional development opportunities following PT licensure including residency/fellowship, continuing education and expectations of a first position as a new professional. Requirement: DPT Students only

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

Continued from HCD I. Focus on issues impacting the practice of physical therapy in diverse health care settings. Applicable laws will be revisited and expanded. Administration of physical therapist practice including management, marketing, human resources, risk management and financial management will be introduced.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue study and learning content of their own choosing or a special clinical interest under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Summer.

This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue content of their own choosing under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Fall.

This course provides students with an opportunity to pursue content of their own choosing under guidance of a faculty mentor.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

Two-week clinical education experience with emphasis on gaining breadth of experience, applying previously gained knowledge to a new clinical setting, engaging in advanced clinical reasoning, while continuing to practice psychomotor skills.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Fall.

Eight-week, full time clinical experience providing students with the opportunity to take on responsibilities of the professional physical therapist, including beginning to manage a caseload and participating in a healthcare team. Requirements: DPT Students only.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.

This is a 10-week, full-time supervised clinical experience. Experience with emphasis on increasing independence in management of patients, becoming an integral member of the healthcare team and using self-assessment for professional development.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Spring.

This course will focus on exercise prescription for complex patients with multi-system disease. Emphasis will be on clinical decision-making to tailor appropriate rehabilitation interventions to medically-complex patient populations.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Spring.

In this second of two courses on disease prevention and health promotion, students will apply fundamental concepts learned in HPWI to their clients and communities. Students will learn to work alongside their clients to identify and address individual, social and structural barriers to health. . They will also learn to work alongside community members to assess community health priorities, co-develop a health promotion program, and evaluate outcomes.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

Various topics: provides students with the opportunity to explore selected topics, related to clinical practice, in depth or topics that are outside of the scope of the set curriculum. DPT students only.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Repeatable. Max Credits: 1.

Typically Offered: Summer.

A synthesis of curricular content applied to highly complex situations illustrative and inclusive of clinical practice across the lifespan. Through retrospective and prospective reasoning, students will analyze and articulate decisions based on reasoning, evidence, and contextual realities with colleagues across health care professions. Requirement: DPT Student Enrollment Only

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

Final course in the clinical reasoning sequence requires students to articulate and defend their clinical decision-making process in the exam, eval, management, and outcome assessment for a selected patient. Students will synthesize and integrate the evidence to inform decision making throughout each aspect of the patient mgmt process. Requirement: DPT Student Enrollment Only

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Typically Offered: Summer.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Summer.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Fall.

This is a 16-week, full-time supervised clinical experience with emphasis on functioning as an entry-level clinician, and understanding the role of a Doctor of Physical Therapy within the complexities of the healthcare system through teamwork and collaboration. First phase of year-long internship.

Grading Basis: Pass/Fail Only

Typically Offered: Fall.