Program Overview

Program Overview

The Columbia University Doctor of Physical Therapy program is a comprehensive and innovative curriculum that is completed in 8 academic semesters, including clinical education experiences. Students are in class an average of 5 days per week to allow for assimilation and application of new knowledge and provide time for student self-directed learning activities.

Curriculum

The program's curriculum is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the principles and practices of physical therapy. The curriculum is divided into three years, with each year building on the previous one.

Year 1

• Fall Courses:
  • Gross Anatomy (7)
  • Applied Physiology (2)
  • Kinesiology & Biomechanics I (4)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice I (2)
  • Examination & Evaluation (3)
  • Evidence-Based Practice I (2) Total Credits: 20
• Spring Courses:
  • Neuroscience (4)
  • Kinesiology & Biomechanics II (3)
  • Physical Therapy Procedures (3)
  • Clinical Education Seminar I (1)
  • Medical Screening I (2) (½ semester)
  • Movement Science (2) (½ semester)
  • Concepts in Therapeutic Exercise (2) (½ semester)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions I (2) (½ semester)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice II (2) (½ semester)
  • Evidence-Based Practice II (2) (½ semester) Possible Elective:
    • Management of the Running Athlete (1) Total Credits: 23 (plus electives)
• Summer Courses:
  • Physical Modalities (1)
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization (1)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions II (3)
  • Clinical Geriatrics (2)
  • Medical Screening II (1) Total Credits: 8

Year 2

• Fall Courses:
  • Clinical Education Seminar II (1)
  • PT Management of Cardiopulmonary Conditions (3)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions III (3)
  • PT Management of the Adult with Neurological Conditions I (3)
  • Orthotics (2)
  • First Clinical Education Experience (0) Possible Elective:
    • Research Practicum I (1) Total credits: 12 (plus electives)
• Spring Courses:
  • Clinical Education Seminar III (1)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice III (2)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions IV (4)
  • PT Management of the Adult with Neurological Conditions II (5)
  • PT Management of Pediatric Conditions (4)
  • PT Management of Integumentary Impairments (½ semester) (2)
  • Prosthetics (½ semester) (2) Possible Electives:
    • Service Learning (1)
    • Research Practicum II (1)
    • Management of the Running Athlete (1) Total credits: 20 (plus electives)
• Summer Courses:
  • Intermediate Clinical Education Experience II (0) Total Credits: 0

Year 3

• Fall Courses:
  • Clinical Education Seminar IV (1)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice IV (2)
  • PT Management of Cardiopulmonary Conditions II (2)
  • Complex Medical Conditions (2)
  • Students Select 1 Advanced Seminar Course (4):
    • Orthopedics
    • Adult Neuro-Rehabilitation
    • Pediatrics Possible Electives:
    • Research Practicum III (1)
    • Management of the Running Athlete
    • Medical Spanish
    • Vestibular Rehabilitation
    • Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
    • Sports Rehabilitation
    • Hand, Wrist & Elbow Rehabilitation
    • Foot & Ankle Rehabilitation
    • Cervicogenic Pain & Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
    • PT Management of the Performing Artist
    • Teaching Practicum: Laboratory
    • Teaching Practicum: Small Groups
    • Research Practicum III
    • Yoga Integrated in Physical Therapy Practice
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • CancerFIT
    • Topics in Cardiopulmonary Total credits: 11 (plus electives)
• Spring Course(s):
  • Terminal Clinical Education Experience(s) (0)

Program Strengths

• Student Body: The program's classes are ethnically diverse, with students from numerous states and undergraduate and graduate institutions, showing a wide variety of individual and dual undergraduate and graduate majors.
• Faculty: The program faculty is both seasoned and contemporary, with an average of 11 years teaching at Columbia, providing a deep, broad, and challenging education directly linked to their own pursuit of excellence and commitment to teaching.
• Curriculum: The curriculum is designed around the seven domains of learning, with development of advanced topic courses, teaching and research practicums, and electives allowing students to take ownership of their own learning to meet their individualized goals in more focused areas of practice.
• Clinical Education Experiences: The program offers a breadth and depth of clinical affiliation sites, nationwide and abroad.
• Resources: The program is supported by Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian, and ColumbiaDoctors, providing students with access to a wide range of resources and opportunities.