Program Overview

Introduction to the Physical Therapy Program

The Physical Therapy program at Wayne State University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of physical therapy. The program includes a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and clinical education to prepare students for a career as a physical therapist.

Program Courses

The following courses are part of the Physical Therapy program:

• PT 5010 Clinical Applications I: First part-time integrated clinical experience for physical therapy students.
• PT 5020 Foundations of Physical Therapy: Sociological and historical background of the PT profession.
• PT 5030 Basic Patient Care in Physical Therapy: Introduction to the basic skills necessary for patient care.
• PT 5070 Clinical Applications II: Second part-time integrated clinical experience for physical therapy students.
• PT 5100 Therapeutic Exercise I: Foundational course designed to focus on the principles and techniques of therapeutic exercise.
• PT 5120 Human Growth and Development: Theories and basic principles in prenatal, physical, sensorimotor, perceptual, cognitive, social, emotional, and language growth and development.
• PT 5300 Surface Anatomy: Laboratory-based course teaching skills for soft tissue palpation, identification of surface anatomy landmarks, soft tissue mobilization, and massage.
• PT 5320 Basic Examination and Evaluation Procedures: Lecture and laboratory experience focusing on principles and procedures of foundational medical screening, physical therapy differentiation, and clinical reasoning and decision-making skills.
• PT 5400 Neurosciences for Health Care Professionals: Study of the human central nervous system; emphasis on sensory and motor systems and structures that contribute to normal movement.
• PT 5410 Clinical Medicine I: Designed to provide specific information needed by the physical therapist treating patients with a variety of diseases.
• PT 5430 Clinical Medicine II: Disease processes, and medical and surgical interventions.
• PT 5500 Kinesiology and Biomechanics: Normal movement and biomechanics applied to the human body.
• PT 5505 Clinical Applications of Human Anatomy: Knowledge of basic human anatomy for students in health science professional programs.
• PT 5510 Clinical Applications of Human Anatomy: Laboratory: Examination of prosections, dissection of human cadavers; didactic study.
• PT 5650 Pathophysiology for Health Sciences: Fundamental knowledge of the nature of disease for the health sciences student.
• PT 5660 Pathokinesiology: A continuation of PT 5500, designed to teach foundational principles regarding biomaterials, key biomechanical and kinesiological principles of human movement.
• PT 5670 Special Test in Physical Therapy: A continuation of PT 5300, designed to teach Special Test as part of a physical therapy examination.
• PT 5800 Clinical Education I: First of a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 5820 Clinical Education II: Second of a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 5990 Directed Study: The remediation directed study has been designed to help students remediate for academic or clinical competency standards in the Physical Therapy program.
• PT 6100 Therapeutic Exercise II: Advanced application of principles and techniques of therapeutic exercise.
• PT 6300 Research I: Critical Thinking: Introduction to evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning and decision making.
• PT 6310 Advanced Exercise Physiology: Metabolic, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory adjustments to acute and chronic exercise in health and disease.
• PT 6410 Special Topics in Physical Therapy I: This course will cover the topics of teaching and learning, professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and being successful as a physical therapy graduate student.
• PT 6420 Special Topics in Physical Therapy II: This course will cover the topics as related to the Physical Therapy including, Legal and Ethical Issues, Mental Health Considerations, and Complementary Therapies in Rehab.
• PT 6430 Special Topics in Physical Therapy III: This course will cover advance topics as related to the Physical Therapy including, Diversity and Implicit Bias, Oncology, and professional and individual aspects related to the transition from student to clinician.
• PT 6500 Pharmacology: Effects of drug distribution, absorption, and excretion as pertaining to physical therapy.
• PT 6700 Motor Learning and Motor Control: Current theories and concepts in processes of motor skill acquisition and performance, from a behavioral objective.
• PT 7000 Therapeutic Modalities: Lecture and laboratory experiences focusing on principles and procedures for using physical agents and spinal traction.
• PT 7100 Management of Patients with Orthopedic Conditions I: Lecture and laboratory experience focusing on knowledge, principles, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills, examination and evaluation procedures, and interventions required for managing patients with impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities due to musculoskeletal pathologies.
• PT 7120 Management of Patients with Orthopedic Conditions II: Lecture and laboratory experience focusing on knowledge, principles, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills, examination and evaluation procedures, and interventions required for managing patients with impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities due to musculoskeletal pathologies of the spinal column and extremity joints.
• PT 7200 Management of Patients with Neurological Disorders I: Basic principles and techniques of assessing problems associated with neurological disorders.
• PT 7220 Management of Patients with Neurological Disorders II: Theory, principles, and application of the neurophysiological approach to evaluation and treatment.
• PT 7300 Orthotics and Prosthetics: Principles and techniques of prosthetic and orthotic function, component selection, and application.
• PT 7320 Rehabilitation Procedures: Theoretical issues and treatment of patients with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, problems of aging, and chronic neuromuscular conditions.
• PT 7400 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: Physiology and pathophysiology of disorders of the cardiac and pulmonary systems.
• PT 7600 Physical Therapy for Medical and Surgical Conditions: Management of patients with complex problems including medical and surgical conditions seen in acute care hospital settings.
• PT 7700 Research II: Design & Methodology: Introduction to basic principles of research theory, design, and methodology for physical therapy.
• PT 7720 Research III: Data Analysis and Interpretation: Basic principles of research design as it relates to the theory and practice of physical therapy.
• PT 7740 Research IV: Research Practicum: Basic principles of research design as it relates to the theory and practice of physical therapy.
• PT 7990 Directed Study: Independent study: critical analysis or review of new or unique topics in health care; or physical therapy role, approach, methodology, techniques, or scientific rational for professional practice.
• PT 8000 Therapeutic Management of Pediatric Populations: Principles and application of the elements of physical therapy practice in the management of pediatric populations.
• PT 8110 Geriatrics: Theories and basic principles of physical, sensorimotor, perceptual, cognitive, social, emotional, and language changes during the aging process.
• PT 8170 Professional Development and Reflective Practice: Exploration of novice vs. expert practice in physical therapy; role of reflection in developing professional skills and behaviors.
• PT 8200 Management in Physical Therapy Practice: Overview of health care systems; financing and administration of physical therapy services within various health care systems.
• PT 8300 Differential Diagnosis for Health Sciences: Principles and procedures designed to facilitate the integration of previously-introduced examination and evaluation skills, in order to perform differential diagnosis for primary care practice.
• PT 8400 Diagnostic Procedures for Health Sciences: Medical diagnostic procedures and application of results as related to provision of physical therapy health services.
• PT 8500 Clinical Decision Making: Integration of didactic and clinical knowledge in development of diagnostic prognostic skills in physical therapy.
• PT 8600 Health Promotion and Wellness: Dimensions of health promotion and wellness, including implementation strategies for different populations.
• PT 8800 Clinical Education III: Third in a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 8820 Clinical Education IV: Fourth in a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 8850 Clinical Practicum: Monitored clinical practice in a focused area of physical therapy practice.

Program Requirements

The Physical Therapy program requires students to complete a series of courses, clinical education experiences, and research projects. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of physical therapy, preparing them for a career as a physical therapist.

Clinical Education

The Physical Therapy program includes a series of clinical education experiences, designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings. These experiences include:

• PT 5800 Clinical Education I: First of a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 5820 Clinical Education II: Second of a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 8800 Clinical Education III: Third in a four-course clinical education series.
• PT 8820 Clinical Education IV: Fourth in a four-course clinical education series.

Research

The Physical Therapy program includes a series of research courses, designed to provide students with an understanding of research theory, design, and methodology. These courses include:

• PT 6300 Research I: Critical Thinking: Introduction to evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning and decision making.
• PT 7700 Research II: Design & Methodology: Introduction to basic principles of research theory, design, and methodology for physical therapy.
• PT 7720 Research III: Data Analysis and Interpretation: Basic principles of research design as it relates to the theory and practice of physical therapy.
• PT 7740 Research IV: Research Practicum: Basic principles of research design as it relates to the theory and practice of physical therapy.

Program Fees

The Physical Therapy program has various fees associated with the courses and clinical education experiences. These fees include:

• PT 5010 Clinical Applications I: $20
• PT 5020 Foundations of Physical Therapy: $300
• PT 5030 Basic Patient Care in Physical Therapy: $25
• PT 5070 Clinical Applications II: No fee listed
• PT 5100 Therapeutic Exercise I: $105
• PT 5120 Human Growth and Development: $10
• PT 5300 Surface Anatomy: No fee listed
• PT 5320 Basic Examination and Evaluation Procedures: $25
• PT 5400 Neurosciences for Health Care Professionals: $55
• PT 5500 Kinesiology and Biomechanics: $20
• PT 5505 Clinical Applications of Human Anatomy: No fee listed
• PT 5510 Clinical Applications of Human Anatomy: Laboratory: $220
• PT 5650 Pathophysiology for Health Sciences: No fee listed
• PT 5660 Pathokinesiology: $10
• PT 5670 Special Test in Physical Therapy: No fee listed
• PT 5800 Clinical Education I: $20
• PT 5820 Clinical Education II: $15
• PT 5990 Directed Study: No fee listed
• PT 6100 Therapeutic Exercise II: $70
• PT 6300 Research I: Critical Thinking: No fee listed
• PT 6310 Advanced Exercise Physiology: No fee listed
• PT 6410 Special Topics in Physical Therapy I: No fee listed
• PT 6420 Special Topics in Physical Therapy II: No fee listed
• PT 6430 Special Topics in Physical Therapy III: No fee listed
• PT 6500 Pharmacology: No fee listed
• PT 6700 Motor Learning and Motor Control: No fee listed
• PT 7000 Therapeutic Modalities: $30
• PT 7100 Management of Patients with Orthopedic Conditions I: $55
• PT 7120 Management of Patients with Orthopedic Conditions II: $25
• PT 7200 Management of Patients with Neurological Disorders I: $66
• PT 7220 Management of Patients with Neurological Disorders II: $35
• PT 7300 Orthotics and Prosthetics: $25
• PT 7320 Rehabilitation Procedures: $20
• PT 7400 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: $20
• PT 7600 Physical Therapy for Medical and Surgical Conditions: $25
• PT 7700 Research II: Design & Methodology: No fee listed
• PT 7720 Research III: Data Analysis and Interpretation: $20
• PT 7740 Research IV: Research Practicum: No fee listed
• PT 7990 Directed Study: No fee listed
• PT 8000 Therapeutic Management of Pediatric Populations: $15
• PT 8110 Geriatrics: No fee listed
• PT 8170 Professional Development and Reflective Practice: No fee listed
• PT 8200 Management in Physical Therapy Practice: No fee listed
• PT 8300 Differential Diagnosis for Health Sciences: No fee listed
• PT 8400 Diagnostic Procedures for Health Sciences: No fee listed
• PT 8500 Clinical Decision Making: $95
• PT 8600 Health Promotion and Wellness: No fee listed
• PT 8800 Clinical Education III: $70
• PT 8820 Clinical Education IV: $30
• PT 8850 Clinical Practicum: No fee listed

Program Restrictions

The Physical Therapy program has various restrictions, including:

• Enrollment limited to students in the Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Enrollment limited to students with a major in Physical Therapy
• Enrollment limited to Graduate level students
• Prerequisites for certain courses
• Corequisites for certain courses
• Restrictions on repeatable courses

Conclusion

The Physical Therapy program at Wayne State University is a comprehensive program that provides students with a thorough education in the field of physical therapy. The program includes a series of courses, clinical education experiences, and research projects, all designed to prepare students for a career as a physical therapist. The program has various fees associated with the courses and clinical education experiences, as well as restrictions on enrollment and prerequisites for certain courses.