Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is an entry-level doctoral degree offered jointly with the University of California, San Francisco. This program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in physical therapy, preparing them for careers in this field.

Program Course Descriptions

The following courses are part of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program:

• PT 700 Multisystem Pathokinesiology (Units: 4)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate students; PT 201, PT 204A
  • Description: An integrated approach to the pathophysiology, evaluation, treatment, and management considerations related to patients with multi-systems musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, medical, and integumentary dysfunctions with a focus on physical therapy practice in the acute care environment
  • Format: Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 2 units
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 704 Education, Health Promotion, Wellness, and Prevention in Physical Therapy (Units: 2)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Principles of communication, learning, and memory affecting physical therapists' roles as an educator in individualized patient and caregiver instruction, staff development programs, community health, wellness, and prevention programs
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 706 Structure, Function, and Motion in Physical Therapy (Units: 2)
  • Prerequisite: Graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Combine knowledge of human anatomy with basic structural and kinesiological principles to understand the normal functional motion of the spine, trunk, and extremities
  • Format: Lecture, 1 unit; laboratory, 1 unit
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 710 Neurological Pathokinesiology I (Units: 4)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Pathokinesiological and neuromotor principles applied to physical therapy assessment and intervention for neurological dysfunction; physical rehabilitation of adults with neurological impairments, limitations, and disability from trauma, tumors, vascular problems, infectious or degenerative diseases
  • Format: Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 2 units
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 711 Neurological Pathokinesiology III (Units: 3)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; PT 710 and PT 213
  • Description: Pathokinesiological and neuromotor principles applied to examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, and intervention of neurological dysfunction in pediatric patients
  • Format: Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 720 Cardiopulmonary Pathokinesiology I (Units: 2)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Assessment and treatment of kinesiological/physiological dysfunction of cardiac and pulmonary systems
  • Format: Lecture, 1 unit; laboratory, 1 unit
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade only
• PT 735 Psychosocial Issues in Rehabilitation Sciences, Part I (Units: 2)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Exploration of one's individual biases, values, and judgments of psychosocial factors that influence patient and physical therapist interactions; identifying key psychosocial issues and providing intervention and support services where appropriate
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 736 Ecological and Organizational Issues in Rehabilitation (Units: 3)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Cultural, environmental, and legislative issues affecting accessibility of physical therapy and related services
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 737 Psychosocial Issues in Rehabilitation Science, Part II (Unit: 1)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Exploration of one's individual biases, values, and judgments of psychosocial factors that influence patient and physical therapist interactions; identifying key psychosocial issues and providing intervention and support services where appropriate
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 741 Musculoskeletal Pathokinesiology I (Units: 4)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; PT 200, PT 201, PT 706
  • Description: Surface anatomy, basic structure, biomechanical principles applied to the understanding of normal and abnormal human motion in the lower extremities and to the analysis of physical function
  • Format: Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 2 units
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 742 Musculoskeletal Pathokinesiology II (Units: 4)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; PT 741
  • Description: Surface anatomy, basic structure, biomechanical principles applied to the analysis of normal/ abnormal human motion, and physical function in the spine, pelvis, upper extremities
  • Format: Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 2 units
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 743 Musculoskeletal Pathokinesiology III (Units: 3)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; PT 741 and PT 742
  • Description: Screening, examination, evaluation, and therapeutic treatment techniques, including both manual and exercise-based treatments, for the management of complex patients with musculoskeletal dysfunctions
  • Format: Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 801 First Full-Time Clinical Education Experience I (Units: 6)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; First-year coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Description: Students provide physical therapy examination, evaluation, and intervention under the guidance and supervision of a licensed physical therapist in clinical facilities
  • Format: 10-week full-time first clinical education experience
  • Grading: CR/NC only, RP
• PT 802 Intermediate Full-Time Clinical Education Experience II (Units: 6)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; First- and second-year coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Description: Students provide physical therapy examination, evaluation, and intervention under the guidance and supervision of a licensed physical therapist in clinical facilities
  • Format: 12-week full-time intermediate clinical education experience
  • Grading: CR/NC only, RP
• PT 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; permission of the major adviser and supervising faculty member
  • Description: Independent study or research planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a faculty member
  • Grading: CR/NC grading only
• PT 908 Professional Colloquium (Unit: 1)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to Physical Therapy doctoral students and PT 208 (UCSF)
  • Description: Topics relative to evidence-based PT practice: ethics, human subjects, research, authorship, scientific writing; and to professional issues: legislation, direct access to PT services and reimbursement for services
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 910 Evidence Based Practice (Units: 4)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; successful completion of PT 209 or the equivalent; or permission of the instructor
  • Description: Students will continue the evidence-based review they started in PT 209, performing a meta analysis to answer their own research question
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; no CR/NC allowed; RP
• PT 920 Case Reports I (Unit: 1)
  • Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students
  • Description: Research and preparation of a case report on the diagnosis and treatment of a patient care problem relevant to physical therapy
  • Grading: CR/NC grading only
• PT 921 Case Reports II (Units: 4)
  • Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Physical Therapy students; PT 920
  • Description: Research, preparation, and presentation of a case report on the diagnosis and treatment of a patient care problem relevant to physical therapy
  • Grading: Plus-minus letter grade; CR/NC not allowed; RP

Conclusion

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for successful careers in physical therapy. With a focus on evidence-based practice, clinical education, and professional development, this program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to excel in this field.