Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a 3-year graduate program designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience necessary to become competent physical therapists.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the 3-year DPT program is listed by year.

Year 1

• Semester 1: Summer
  • DPT 7201: Professional Interactions (3 units)
  • DPT 7012: Anatomy for Physical Therapy (6 units)
  • DPT 7032: Neuroanatomy (3 units)
• Semester 2: Fall
  • DPT 705a: Biomechanics I (3 units)
  • DPT 706: Physiology for Therapists (4 units)
  • DPT 707: Physical Therapy Across the Lifespan (2 units)
  • DPT 708: Motor Learning and Motor Control (2 units)
  • DPT 718: Fundamentals of Physical Therapy (2 units)
  • DPT 721: Professional Practice Issues (2 units)
• Semester 3: Spring
  • DPT 705b: Biomechanics and Gait II (3 units)
  • DPT 709: Exercise Science for Physical Therapy (3 units)
  • DPT 710: Pathology for Physical Therapy (3 units)
  • DPT 731: Physical Therapy Principles of Acute Care (2 units)
  • DPT 732: Examination of Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders (3 units)
  • DPT 740: Neuro Examination (2 units)

Year 2

• Semester 4: Summer
  • DPT 7501: Imaging for Physical Therapy (2 units)
  • DPT 7511: Pharmacology for Physical Therapy (2 units)
  • DPT 7651: Management of Integumentary Disorders (2 units)
  • DPT 7961: Research methods (2 units)
  • DPT 7222: Critical thinking (1 unit)
  • DPT 7522: Differential Diagnosis (2 units)
  • DPT 780a2: Ortho practice I (1 unit)
  • DPT 7812: Advanced Clinical Decision Making (2 units)
• Semester 5: Fall
  • DPT 733: Interventions for Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders (4 units)
  • DPT 741: Intervention for Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders I (3 units)
  • DPT 760: Management of Individuals with Cardiopulmonary Disorders (3 units)
  • DPT 770: Health Care Delivery I (2 units)
  • DPT 782: Neurological Integrated Clinical Experience I (1 unit)
  • DPT 797: Doctoral project (1 unit)
• Semester 6: Spring
  • DPT 734: Advance Management of Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders (2 units)
  • DPT 736: Management of Individuals with Orthotic and Prosthetic Needs (2 units)
  • DPT 743: Electroneuromyographic Management (3 units)
  • DPT 745: Management of the Pediatric Population (3 units)
  • DPT 771: Health Care Delivery II (2 units)
  • DPT 783: Neurological Integrated Clinical Experience II (1 unit)
  • DPT 797: Doctoral project (2 units)

Year 3

• Semester 7: Summer
  • DPT 784: Full Time 12-week Clinical Experience (6 units)
• Semester 8: Fall
  • First 10 weeks:
    • DPT 737: Sports Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy (2 units)
    • DPT 742: Advanced Management of Individuals with Neuromuscular Disorders (2 units)
    • DPT 767: Management of the Geriatric Population (2 units)
    • DPT 768: Integrated Management of Complex Patients (3 units)
    • DPT 769: Advanced Management of Individuals with Cardiopulmonary Disorders (1 unit)
    • DPT 780b: Orthopedic Integrated Clinical Experience II (1 unit)
    • DPT 797: Doctoral project (1 unit)
  • Last 5 weeks + Winter:
    • DPT 785: Clinical Internship (12-week) I (6 units)
• Semester 9: Spring
  • DPT 786: Clinical Internship (12-week) II (6 units)

Research Laboratories

The program features several research laboratories, including:

• Balance & Prevention of Falls
• Clinical Movement Performance Laboratory (CMPL)
• Clinical Rehabilitation and Biomechanics (CRAB) Laboratory
• Electrophysiological Measurement
• Pathokinesiology
• Spine Research Laboratory
• The THRIVE Lab

Clinical Education

Clinical education is an integral part of the DPT program, providing students with hands-on experience in various clinical settings.

Doctoral Project

The doctoral project is a requirement for graduation, allowing students to demonstrate their ability to design, implement, and evaluate a research project or clinical case study.

Graduate Outcomes

The program aims to produce graduates who are competent, compassionate, and committed to delivering high-quality patient care. Graduate outcomes include:

• Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
• Securing employment as a physical therapist
• Pursuing advanced education or specialization in physical therapy