Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy - Residential (DPT) program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) prepares graduates to be skilled and compassionate health care providers. The program combines advanced academic coursework, laboratory instruction, and diverse clinical experiences, enabling students to engage in interprofessional groups that mirror real-world health care, gaining practical skills and teamwork experience.

Application Timeline

• Fall 2026 PTCAS: June 16, 2025 – January 2, 2026
• MUSC: July 1, 2025 – November 17, 2025 (Priority), July 1, 2025 – January 2, 2026 (Regular)

Program Details

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed around structured educational threads, providing a clear content sequence where courses build on one another. This ensures students develop foundational knowledge before advancing to more complex concepts.

Curricular Threads

The curriculum has been intentionally designed around structured educational threads within the broader curriculum that guide students through a specific area of study or professional development.

Curricular Focus

The residential DPT program has strong educational experiences in foundational sciences, with key curricular focuses identified early in the learning process. These focuses represent knowledge and skills essential in PT practice.

Yearly Curriculum Breakdown

• Year 1, Fall:
  • PT705 | Movement Science | 3
  • PT709 | Foundational Skills Lab | 2
  • PT714 | Evidence-based Practice | 2
  • PT738 | Professional Formation | 2
  • DRS700 | Human Anatomy | 4
  • Semester Total: 13
• Year 1, Spring:
  • PT703 | Applied Physiology and Nutrition and Therapeutics | 6
  • PT707 | Musculoskeletal I | 5
  • PT752 | Motor Development | 2
  • DRS701 | Neuroscience | 4
  • Semester Total: 17
• Year 1, Summer:
  • PT708 | Musculoskeletal II | 5
  • PT713 | Functional Mobility: Acute Care | 1.5
  • PT716 | Biomechanical Analysis | 1.5
  • PT748 | Pharmacology | 1
  • DRS702 | Clinical Pathophysiology | 3
  • Semester Total: 12
• Year 2, Fall:
  • PT773 | Neuromuscular I | 6
  • PT775 | Musculoskeletal III | 5
  • PT776 | Cardiovascular & Pulmonary | 4
  • IP711 | IP Foundations & TeamSTEPPS | 1
  • Semester Total: 16
• Year 2, Spring:
  • PT710 | Adult Development & Aging | 3
  • PT717 | Differential Diagnosis | 2
  • PT728 | Imaging and Electrodiagnosis | 2
  • PT746 | Prevention & Population Health | 2
  • PT774 | Neuromuscular II | 5
  • IP### | IP Concentration Course of Choice | 1
  • Semester Total: 15
• Year 2, Summer:
  • PT759 | Healthcare Delivery & Management | 3
  • PT762L | Clinical Reasoning and Practice Lab | 1
  • PT769 | Management of Complex Patients | 3
  • PT771 | Advanced Therapeutic Interventions | 3
  • PT779 | Pediatrics | 4
  • Semester Total: 14
• Year 3, Fall:
  • PT740 | Clinical Practicum I | 10
  • PT741 | Clinical Practicum II | 10
  • Semester Total: 20
• Year 3, Spring:
  • PT742 | Clinical Practicum III | 12
  • Semester Total: 12
• Curriculum Total: 119

Approved Electives

• PT695, Community-based Practice, 1–3 credit hours
• PT720, Owning a Private Practice, 1 credit hour
• PT729, Special Topics: Pediatrics, 1 credit hour
• PT734, Manual Therapy: Upper Body, 1 credit hour
• PT735, CSCS Exam Preparation, 0.5 credit hours
• PT736, Sports Rehabilitation Outreach II, 1 credit hour
• PT737, Trigger Point Dry Needling, 1 credit hour
• PT758, Manual Therapy: Lower Body, 1 credit hour
• PT768, Special Topics: Physical Therapy, 1–3 credit hours
• PT790, Sports Rehabilitation Outreach I, 1 credit hour
• PT800, Physical Therapy Education I, 1–3 credit hours
• PT801, Physical Therapy Education II, 1–3 credit hours
• PT802, Physical Therapy Education III, 1–3 credit hours
• PT810, Physical Therapy Research I, 1–3 credit hours
• PT811, Physical Therapy Research II, 1–3 credit hours
• PT812, Physical Therapy Research III, 1–3 credit hours

Clinical Education

Students gain experience in various settings throughout the program based on their interests. Before the clinical practicum experience, students engage in immersive clinical experiences and observations as volunteers in community activities.

Clinical Practicum

Students entering the program in the academic year or later complete three clinical practicums throughout the program. The clinical practicums begin in the fall of year three with two 10-week practicums and a full-time 12-week clinical placement in the last semester of the program.

Research Opportunities

Students have the chance to work at the Center for Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions, focusing on neuro-rehabilitation and the prevention of adverse health outcomes. They engage in faculty-led projects, guided by experts at the forefront of their fields, and contribute to pioneering studies shaping PT's future.

Admissions

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must:

• Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. by the time of enrollment
• Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Complete 39 hours of prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution
• Complete a minimum of 40 hours of experience directly related to PT
• Have completed the Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers and First Aid certification through the American Heart Association
• Meet the DPT Essential Functions and Technical Standards Requirements and sign a form indicating that they meet the minimum skills upon matriculation
• Have taken their Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Coursework | Credit Hours ---|--- Biology | 7 Chemistry, includes lab | 8 Human Anatomy, includes lab | 4 Human Physiology | 3 Physics, includes lab | 8 Psychology | 6 Statistics | 3

Application Process

1. Submit the APTA PTCAS application as early as possible.
2. Complete the MUSC application.
3. Once both applications are complete and the PTCAS application has been verified, your application will be reviewed.

Application Requirements

1. PTCAS Application:
   • Completed application
   • GRE Score
   • Letters of recommendation
   • Log of PT Experience
   • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
   • Personal statement
2. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC application.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition

Fee Type | Fee ---|--- Application Fee (per application) | - Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance) | $500 Tuition/Fee Type | Fall | Spring | Summer | Annual ---|---|---|---|--- In-state Tuition | $8,142 | $8,142 | $8,142 | - Out-of-state Tuition | $12,280 | $12,280 | $12,280 | - Program Fee | $550 | $550 | $550 | -

Cost of Attendance

Item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Est. Total ---|---|---|---|--- Direct Costs Tuition - In-state/Out-of-state | $24,426/$36,840 | $24,426/$36,840 | $16,284/$24,560 | $65,136/$98,240 Fees | $1,950 | $1,950 | $1,400 | $5,300 Health Insurance | $3,780 | $3,780 | $3,780 | $11,340 Direct Costs Subtotal | $30,156/$42,570 | $30,156/$42,570 | $21,464/$29,740 | $81,776/$114,880 Indirect Costs Housing/Food | $24,882 | $24,882 | $18,096 | $67,860 Personal | $2,640 | $2,640 | $1,920 | $7,200 Transportation | $2,970 | $2,970 | $2,160 | $8,100 Books/Required Expenses | $4,820 | $2,925 | $4,325 | $12,070 Indirect Costs Subtotal | $35,312/$35,312 | $33,417/$33,417 | $26,501/$26,501 | $95,230/$95,230 Total - In-state/Out-of-state | $65,468/$77,882 | $63,573/$75,987 | $47,965/$56,241 | $177,006/$210,110

Program Outcomes

Graduation Rates

The two-year average graduate rate for the class of 2022 and 2023 was 96.5%.

Pass Rates

The two-year average NPTE pass rate for the class of 2022 and 2023 was 100%.

Employment Rates

The two-year average employment rate for the class of 2021 and 2022 was 100%.

Faculty

• Sara Kraft, PT, DPT, NCS: DPT Residential Program Director
• Gretchen A. Seif, PT, DPT, MHS, OCS, FAAOMPT: Associate Professor
• Jesse C. Dean, Ph.D.: Co-Director Health & Rehabilitation Science Ph.D. Program

Accreditation & Recognition

The Doctor of Physical Therapy - Residential program at the Medical University of South Carolina is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE accreditation means that our program meets or exceeds established national standards for a professional program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.