Program Overview

Introduction to the Physical Therapy Professional Major (DPT)

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program at OSU-Cascades provides exceptional research and teaching faculty to support outstanding students in becoming compassionate entry-level clinician-scientists. Our students bring a diversity of thought, background, and experience to the program and translate that into positively impacting a diverse patient population in a changing healthcare environment.

Overview of the Physical Therapy Profession

Physical therapists (PTs) are healthcare professionals who treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. In addition, PTs work with individuals and groups to prevent the loss of ability before it occurs by developing fitness and wellness-oriented programs and other population-health interventions for healthier and more active lifestyles. PTs provide care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and nursing homes.

Accreditation and Licensure

To practice as a physical therapist in the United States (US), a student must earn a DPT degree from an accredited physical therapist education program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. In addition, state licensure is required in each state in which a physical therapist practices. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) governs DPT accreditation in the US.

Program Details

Major Code: 7721

The Physical Therapy Professional Major (DPT) is available only at OSU-Cascades. The program consists of the following courses:

• PT 723: Professionalism and Cultural Competence (3 credits)
• PT 724: Basics of Patient Management (4 credits)
• PT 725: Foundations of Clinical Biomechanics (4 credits)
• PT 726: Therapeutic Exercise I for the Physical Therapist (4 credits)
• PT 727: Therapeutic Exercise II for the Physical Therapist (4 credits)
• PT 728: Therapeutic Exercise III for the Physical Therapist (4 credits)
• PT 729: Biophysical Agents (2 credits)
• PT 732: Musculoskeletal Anatomy I for the Physical Therapist (7 credits)
• PT 733: Musculoskeletal Anatomy II for the Physical Therapist (6 credits)
• PT 734: Neuroanatomy for the Physical Therapist (5 credits)
• PT 735: Clinical Biomechanics I (5 credits)
• PT 736: Clinical Biomechanics II (3 credits)
• PT 737: Principles of Disease (3 credits)
• PT 738: Neuroscience for the Physical Therapist (3 credits)
• PT 739: Pathology & Pharmacology for the Physical Therapist (5 credits)
• PT 742: Clinical Physiology for the Physical Therapist (3 credits)
• PT 744: Motor Control & Learning Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
• PT 747: Motor Development for the Physical Therapist (3 credits)
• PT 749: Geriatric Physical Therapy (3 credits)
• PT 751: Pediatric Physical Therapy (3 credits)
• PT 753: Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction (6 credits)
• PT 754: Orthopedics I (6 credits)
• PT 755: Orthopedics II (6 credits)
• PT 756: Orthopedics III (6 credits)
• PT 757: Sports Physical Therapy (3 credits)
• PT 758: Management of Neurological Dysfunction I (5 credits)
• PT 759: Management of Neurological Dysfunction II (6 credits)
• PT 762: Management of Neurological Dysfunction III (4 credits)
• PT 764: Differential Diagnosis for the Physical Therapist (3 credits)
• PT 766: (3 credits)
• PT 767: Physical Therapy in Rural Communities (2 credits)
• PT 768: Business Administration in Physical Therapy (3 credits)
• PT 769: (Prosthetics and Orthotics in Physical Therapy) (3 credits)
• PT 770: Leadership & Professional Development in Physical Therapy (2 credits)
• PT 771: Physical Therapy Specialties (3 credits)
• PT 772: Imaging for the Physical Therapist (1 credit)
• PT 773: Evidence-Based Practice and Research Methods I (1 credit)
• PT 774: Evidence-Based Practice and Research Methods II (3 credits)
• PT 775: Evidence-Based Practice & Research Methods III (3 credits)
• PT 776: Preparation for DPT Capstone Research (1 credit)
• PT 781: (2 credits)
• PT 782: DPT Capstone Research II (2 credits)
• PT 783: (2 credits)
• PT 792: Clinical Experience I (1 credit)
• PT 793: Clinical Experience II (1 credit)
• PT 794: Clinical Experience III (3 credits)
• PT 795: (4 credits)
• PT 796: Clinical Experience V (14 credits)
• PT 797: Clinical Experience VI (14 credits)
• PT 798: Clinical Experience VII (14 credits) Total Credits: 204

Conclusion

The Physical Therapy Professional Major (DPT) at OSU-Cascades is a comprehensive program that prepares students to become compassionate entry-level clinician-scientists. With a strong focus on research, teaching, and clinical practice, the program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to succeed in the field of physical therapy.