Physical Therapy Program of Study

7212 Introduction to Neuroscience Concepts (1-3-0). Students will acquire the basic neurologic concepts providing a foundation for future neuroscience courses as well as enhancing their understanding of neurologic diagnoses frequently observed in the acute care practice setting. The concepts addressed in this course will include gross structures of the central nervous system, blood supply, and the sensory and motor systems. Lab includes the dissection of human brain material, brain sections, and anatomical models.

7220 Advanced Topics in Physical Therapy (2-0-0). This course is designed to prepare student physical therapists to train in advanced areas of physical therapy that will enrich their knowledge in topics such as therapeutic exercise, exercise physiology, sports medicine, and health promotion. Advanced study opportunities will provide DPT students improved job marketability in an increasingly competitive field upon graduation.

7221 Cardiopulmonary Pathology (2-0-0). A comprehensive presentation of cardiopulmonary diseases. Emphasis is placed on the mechanisms underlying disease and their management as a basis for therapeutic rehabilitative program planning in physical therapy.

7224 Neuropathology I (2-0-0). Students will extend their knowledge of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems and apply the knowledge within the context of altered structures and function of the nervous system in various neuropathologies common to physical therapy practice. Medical management of neuropathologies will be discussed.

7232 Foundation for Systems Review (2-0-0). An introductory course in differential diagnosis focusing on identifying signs and symptoms of common medical conditions that mimic the musculoskeletal conditions that are frequently seen for physical therapist intervention. A broad spectrum of clinical sciences will be explored as related to the screening of culturally diverse patient/client population across the life span. Skills necessary to identify and manage patient/client problems that require referral to another health professional will be emphasized.

7233 Health Care Issues for Physical Therapists (2-0-0). This course will explore the current regional, state, national, and global issues and trends in health care and their effects on the delivery of physical therapy services. The course will promote awareness of health care delivery systems, role and function of professional organizations, cultural competency, and other contemporary health care issues. Students will have a better understanding of health and wellness and the role of the physical therapist. Information will be provided to allow the student to develop skills to influence health and wellness at multiple levels (individual, family, institution, community, etc).

7234 Education and Communication for Physical Therapy (2-0-0). A foundation course for Physical Therapy students with a focus on learning theory and communication strategies. Content areas would include: Role of the Physical Therapist as a teacher; communicating with patient populations and professional groups and individuals.

7235 Disability Studies (2-0-0). This course will introduce the student to the field of disability studies. Disability and chronic illness (CI) are often a major factor influencing an individual and/or family during one’s lifetime. People with a disability or CI may be considered a subculture of our society. Physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and cultural factors related to the presence of disability and CI throughout the life span will be explored. Emphasis is placed on those aspects of disability that affect the practice of physical therapy examination and intervention.

7240 Evidence Based Practice in Physical Therapy (2-0-0). A foundations course in evidence-based clinical-decision making designed to provide Physical Therapy students with content areas in forming clinical questions, literature search, and critical appraisal of selected literature. Applications will fall within the Physical Therapy Profession Patient/Client Management Model.

7241 Clinical Research for Physical Therapy (2-0-0). A foundations course for Physical Therapy students with a focus on clinical research. Content areas would include: patient consent; common clinical research designs; and application of research within the clinical setting.

7242 Evidence Based Practice Seminar I (2-0-0). A course for Physical Therapy students to focus on evidence based practice and clinical research following the acute care practicum. Content areas would include: case reporting; critical pathways; and clinical practice guidelines within the acute care clinical setting.

7243 Evidence Based Practice Seminar II (2-0-0). A course for Physical Therapy students to focus on evidence based practice and clinical research following the musculoskeletal practicum. Content areas would include: case reporting; clinical practice guidelines; qualitative research; clinical surveys; sequential clinical trials; and single subject designs within the musculoskeletal clinical setting.

7252 Introduction to Therapeutic Exercise (1-3-0). Students will explore the principles of exercise prescription and develop competency in the selection, implementation and progression of therapeutic exercise.

7260 Introduction to Clinical Education and Professionalism (2-0-0). This course will provide students with a foundation for the full-time practical courses. Students will learn how evaluation methods and tools will be implemented during the practicums. Students will also learn policies and procedures for clinical education, delegation and supervision of assistants and aides, aspects of documentation, reporting patient progress, and stress and time management. Roles and responsibilities of persons associated with clinical experience courses will be explored. Students will also develop an understanding of the importance of professional behaviors, self-evaluation and personal reflection. The course will include discussion of current issues, laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and ethical codes governing the practice of physical therapy. Emphasis is placed on the importance of ethical and legal practice and on reimbursement.

7261 Acute Care Practicum (0-0-6). An eight-week, full-time clinical (320 clock hours) experience at assigned clinical facilities. This initial full-time clinical experience provides student physical therapists with the opportunity to develop competency in the physical therapy management of individuals in the acute and sub-acute setting under close supervision by an experienced, licensed Physical Therapist. Each student is assigned one or two clinical instructors to direct and supervise all patient/client management performed by the student. Grading will be either pass or fail.

7311 Clinical Exercise Physiology (2-2-0). An integrated approach to the study of human physiology as it pertains to physical fitness, activity, performance, and wellness. A scientific basis for connecting physical therapy to physical activity, performance, and health is presented. The course includes presentation of metabolic, nutritional, cellular, physiological and structural systems of the body related to functional activity and performance. The course provides an opportunity for the student physical therapist to develop the skills necessary for implementing activity programs and exercise prescription for the apparently healthy individual.

7320 Foundation in Clinical Pathology (3-0-0). A comprehensive presentation of the general principles of disease with an emphasis on general pathology. Focus is on the mechanisms underlying disease and their management as a basis for therapeutic program planning in physical therapy.

7322 Musculoskeletal Pathology (3-0-0). Mechanical properties of musculoskeletal tissues will be described. Growth and maintenance mechanisms of the different tissues will be detailed. Diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system will be covered. The underlying tissue pathology and clinical symptoms will be addressed from the orthopedic and physical therapy perspective. Therapeutic interventions will be presented.

7325 Neuropathology II (3-0-0). Students will extend their knowledge of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems and apply the knowledge within the context of altered structures and function of the nervous system in various neuropathologies common to physical therapy practice. Medical management of neuropathologies will be discussed.

7330 Functional Biomechanical Relationships (3-1-0). An in-depth analysis of natural and pathological mechanisms related to human movement with an emphasis on the primary principles of biomechanics, natural gait and patterns of motion. Incorporated within the course is a study of the pathological mechanisms affecting human movement dysfunction. The course will focus on understanding the mechanical analysis with emphasis on patient rehabilitation.

7331 Motor Control and Clinical Applications (3-1-0). Introduction to theories of motor control and motor learning, current methods in human movement science, and their implications for evidence-based practice.

7336 Management of Physical Therapy (3-0-0). The goal of this course is to provide comprehensive exposure to management principles and concepts with a focus on their applications and impact in physical therapy practice, management of personnel, and laws and regulations pertaining to physical therapy practice. Students will be provided the opportunity to gain cognition and skills in physical therapy practice management which prepares them as practitioners and future administrators.

7337 Operational Management for Physical Therapy (3-0-0). The goal of this course is designed to build upon concepts introduced in Physical Therapy 7336. An integrated approach will be utilized to focus on skills that impact the management of physical therapists. Students will be provided the opportunity to utilize skills in a simulation practice setting and related community based program development, which will prepare them for private practice and potential future administrators.

7344 Evidence Based Practice Seminar III (3-0-0). A course for Physical Therapy students to focus on evidence based practice and clinical research following the neuromuscular rehabilitation practicum. The initial focus is to develop competency in critical thinking, problem solving and best practice recommendations for the neuromuscular patient through integration of their own clinical experiences and presentation of peer experiences. The second focus is on completing and presenting the research project—professional paper in this culminating course of evidence based practice.

7353 Musculoskeletal Examination and Management I (1-6-0). This course provides the DPT entry-level physical therapist with the knowledge and skill sets to effectively manage patients/clients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Elements of patient management include examination, evaluation and diagnosis with special attention to differential diagnosis and screening strategies, identification of patient/client problems, prioritization of goals, treatment selection and provision including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, and physical agents. Critical appraisal of musculoskeletal test characteristics, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice are emphasized.

7354 Essentials of Rehabilitation Practice (2-3-0). An exploration of the practice of physical therapists in the areas of diabetes, advanced cardiac, pulmonary and neuromuscular diseases, spinal cord injury, orthotics and prosthetics. Students will develop competency in clinical assessment of functional limitations, identification of appropriate treatment options and implementation of interventions. Students will also develop skills in the management of patients with chronic multi-system problems for comprehensive practice settings. This course integrates clinical reasoning for the complex patient through case scenarios, patient observations and laboratory simulations.

7462 Musculoskeletal Practicum (0-0-12). A ten-week, full-time (400 clock hours) clinical experience in an out-patient, orthopaedic setting. This clinical experience provides student physical therapists with the opportunity to develop competency in the physical therapy management of individuals with all levels of musculoskeletal system dysfunction under close supervision by an experienced, licensed Physical Therapist. Each student is assigned one or two clinical instructors to direct and supervise all patient/client management performed by the student. Grading will be either pass or fail.

7550 Fundamentals of Physical Therapist Examination (4-3-0). An introductory course in the basic categories of clinical tests and measures utilized in the examination of patients/clients seen for physical therapy services as described in the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice. Indications for test selection, administration, data collection and interpretation and documentation of data are emphasized.

7556 Musculoskeletal Examination and Management II (3-6-0). This course builds upon knowledge and concepts learned in Physical Therapy 7353 as the student physical therapist gains the knowledge and skill sets to effectively manage patients/clients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions in different regions of the body. Elements of patient management include examination, evaluation and diagnosis with special attention to differential diagnosis and screening strategies, identification of patient/client problems, prioritization of goals, treatment selection and provision including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise and physical agents. Critical appraisal of musculoskeletal test characteristics, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice are emphasized.
Prerequisite: Physical Therapy 7353.

7651 Acute Care Management (3-9-0). An exploration of the practice of licensed physical therapists in the acute care setting. Students will develop competency in clinical examination and evaluation of impairments and functional limitations, identification of appropriate intervention options, and implementation of a plan of care to improve performance of functional activities for patients commonly encountered in acute care practice settings. In addition, this course integrates curricular content in acute care with clinical practice through critical thinking, problem solving, and clinical experiences.

7655 Neuromuscular Examination and Management (4-6-0). Using the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice and current evidence, student physical therapist will utilize neurologic examination, tests, and measures to diagnose and implement interventions designed to address neuromotor dysfunction in a culturally competent manner. Interventions will be grounded in the foundational movement science and evidence-based practice.

7663 Neuromuscular Practicum (0-0-18). A twelve-week, full-time (480 clock hours) clinical experience in a long-term rehabilitation setting. This clinical experience provides student physical therapists with the opportunity to develop competency in the physical therapy management of individuals with cardiopulmonary, neuromuscular and/or multisystem dysfunction under close supervision by an experienced, licensed Physical Therapist. Each student is assigned one or two clinical instructors to direct and supervise all patient/client management performed by the student. Grading will be either pass or fail.

7710 Clinical Anatomy (4-9-0). Laboratory intensive course designed to reflect depth and breadth of foundational medical and clinical science knowledge of gross anatomical structures. Development of advanced understanding of functional, clinical, and kinesiological significance of integumentary, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurosensory systems is emphasized.