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Doctor of Physical Therapy · DPT

Residential | Full-Time | 8 Semesters
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Curriculum

Our program efficiently develops you into an outstanding physical therapist while maximizing your clinical exposure. Classroom instruction prepares you to get the most out of your clinical experiences. Explore diverse subject areas to build the foundation for your career as a PT. Here are just a few details that distinguish our curriculum:
  • Accelerated 8-Semester program
  • Higher-than-average number of clinical hours (42) included in course of study.
  • Pro Bono Community Rehabilitation Clinic designed to help students gain early patient interaction.
Below, we’ve broken down your entire 8-semester curriculum to help you see the knowledge you will gain and skills you will learn as you work toward your own career as a physical therapist.
Curriculum PDF

Doctor of Physical Therapy Courses (29 courses, 91 credits required)

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Course

Credits

An overview of the healthcare delivery system and of the professional roles of practicing physical therapists. Students evaluate the interdisciplinary roles of medical and rehabilitation co-professionals and extenders, including, among others, medical doctors, nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, chiropractors, social workers, and physical therapist assistants. The history and development of modern-day physical therapy in the United States is examined in depth and includes the study of the collaborative nature of twenty-first century healthcare practice. General principles of human interaction, communication, and relationships are presented, including self, professional-patient, and interdisciplinary strategies for understanding adaptations to disease and disability. Students will be introduced to cultural competence and the importance it plays in physical therapy practice. (Lecture 3)

The study of human anatomical structures as they relate to movement and the physiological demands of activity and exercise. A regional approach to the study of structures is aided by specimens, models, and multimedia. The course is projected to have a strong interactive, online component. (Lecture 4/Lab 2)

This introductory course focuses on basic principles and the development of psychomotor skills related to palpation, infection control, vital signs, lines and equipment, body mechanics, positioning and draping, therapeutic massage, soft tissue mobilization, basic wheelchair prescription, transfers, bed mobility, and gait training of patients and clients. In addition, it introduces the student to the American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide approach to physical therapy practice and documentation. (Lecture 2/Lab 2)

This course will present an introduction to general research principles, research ethics, evidence-based practice and biostatistics. Specific topics to research include the formulation of a research question, principles of measurement, basic research design and methodological, types of reliability and validity, and fundamentals in conducting a literature review. Quantitative article critiques will be conducted in class and outside of class. Specific topics to biostatistics include descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, basic probability concepts, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, one and two-sample t-tests, correlations and Anova’s. (Lecture 3)

In this course, you will learn how to practically apply the patient management model in physical therapy patient care. You will learn to perform a basic physical therapy examination and evaluation of a new patient in both inpatient and outpatient settings and formulate a plan of care based on your evaluation results. This will include learning how to apply the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICF) to develop a diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care for your patient. The skills and knowledge you gain in this course will prepare you for future courses in the program where you will perform more detailed evaluations in specific patient populations, such as patients with orthopaedic, neurologic, or cardiovascular conditions. To help you succeed in becoming proficient in the evaluative process, we will focus on developing your professional behaviors, critical thinking ability, knowledge of basic imaging concepts, patient interaction skills, billing and coding skills, and documentation/writing skills. In the laboratory component of this course, you will practice and refine the psychomotor skills you learned in your first semester associated with various examination tasks, and you will learn how to incorporate these tasks into a cohesive patient examination. (Lecture 2/Lab 2)

This course will examine the study of human movement including selected anatomical, structural, and functional properties of human connective tissues, muscular tissues, nervous tissues, and skeletal structures. Focus will be on the lower quarter. Emphasis will be placed on mechanical, neuroregulatory, and muscular influences upon normal and pathological motion. (Lecture 3/Lab 2)

This course focuses on the theory and physiological effects of selected physical agents/modalities, including indications and contraindications relevant to specific conditions. Biophysical Technologies include heat, cold, electrical current, light, sound, and other electromagnetic spectrum modalities, as well as intermittent compression and traction. (Lecture 1/Lab 2)

This course will introduce basic pharmacological concepts such as pharmaco- therapeutics, dynamics, and kinetics and their application to physical therapy practice. The impact of prescribed and over the counter (OTC) drugs on the outcome of therapy interventions will be explored. The course also emphasizes current evidence regarding medication/drugs and their relation to physical therapy practice. (Lecture 1)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of physical therapy ethics and legal practice issues. Students explore and analyze the APTA’s Code of Ethics and the Guide for Professional Conduct. Students define, describe, and evaluate moral, ethical, and legal issues pertaining to physical therapy practice in a variety of practice settings. APTA’s professional standards, third party payer standards, and licensing board’s ethical requirements are reviewed in depth to facilitate student assessment, comparing and contrasting, and analysis of these important documents. Students will explore various sociocultural topics and explore the patient/client perspective. The development of skills to prepare students to be culturally competent in physical therapy practice is emphasized. Teaching and learning methods, informatics, and abuse of vulnerable populations will also be discussed. (Lecture 3)

This course is a foundational science course and serves as a core building block for the understanding of physiology in preparation for physical therapy primary care practice. All the major organ systems will be studied individually and progressively integrated throughout the course. The goal of the course is to develop a more complete picture of how the human body maintains homeostasis and responds and adapts to exercise, growth & aging, and environmental challenges. The impact of nutrition on health and performance will also be introduced. Lecture and labs will be used to meet the course objectives, incorporate experiential learning, and develop critical thinking skills. (Lecture 4/Lab 2)

This course focuses on specialty practice areas in physical therapy. Topics include pelvic health, vestibular rehab, ENMG, imaging, and the integumentary system. Current practice and technology, emerging issues, and future opportunities in Physical Therapy will be explored in relation to these specialty practice areas. (Lecture 3)

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of basic principles related to exercise, including acute and chronic physiologic adaptation to aerobic and anaerobic exercise. The impact various disease states have on exercise capacity will also be explored. In addition, the application of therapeutic exercise prescription and medical documentation will be emphasized as relates to pathologic conditions commonly seen in physical therapy practice. (Lecture 2/Lab 4)

This course provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to conscientiously, explicitly, and judiciously apply principles of evidence based-practice in the healthcare environment, patient/client management, and in making clinical decisions. The course focuses on the primary components of evidence-based practice: formulating answerable clinical questions, finding best available evidence, performing critical appraisals of evidence, integrating evidence for making clinical decisions, and evaluation of outcomes. (Lecture 3)

This class is the first of the Life Span series focused on developmental sequence and treatment across the lifetime of our patients. It will include entry level material intended to allow all students to treat patients with age-appropriate activities and comprehend functional skills for pediatric patients. Students will progress through stages of normal development including reflexes and gross motor skill acquisition in addition to standardized assessments used with children. It is imperative to embrace the entire family system in treating young patients and understand underlying legislation to provide care for children at various ages. In addition to introduction to common pediatric diagnoses, students will be introduced to the roll of Health promotion and safety within this specialty area. Students will apply the elements of patient/client management in physical therapy practice, including, screening, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, intervention, and outcomes assessment to the patient with neuromuscular dysfunction. (Lecture 2/Lab 2)

This course will provide an overview of the concepts of health promotion, health education, public health, primary prevention, lifestyle, behavior, and wellness and, based on evidence, their relationships to each other and to secondary and tertiary care. The historical relevance of and evidence for focusing on individual and social determinants of health will be explored and an ecological model combining both approaches will be introduced. Typical intervention sites for effective health promotion programs will be discussed as well as a framework for implementing programs. (Lecture 2)

This course is a continuation of Kinesiology 1, and includes the study of human movement, including selected anatomical, structural, and functional properties of human connective tissues, muscular tissues, nervous tissues, and skeletal structures. Focus is on the upper quarter and spine. Emphasis will be placed on mechanical, neuroregulatory, and muscular influences upon normal and pathological motion. (Lecture 3/Lab 2)

This course will prepare the student to effectively manage patients with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary impairments and disability. Emphasis is placed on the elements of patient client management in physical therapy practice, including screening, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, development of a plan of care, intervention, and outcomes assessment and evaluation. Concepts of exercise physiology and practical application in physical therapy are addressed. (Lecture 2/Lab 4)

The first of two courses in this series, this course prepares the student to practice entry- level physical therapy relative to the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Information related to common orthopaedic conditions and diagnoses is presented. This course will concentrate on the lower extremities and the spine. Information regarding evidence-based approaches in critical thinking and application of psychomotor skills related to examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes assessment is emphasized. A primer on differential diagnosis and evaluation tools is presented to help students recognize problems that are beyond the physical therapy scope of practice and when/how to refer appropriately within the healthcare community. (Lecture 4/Lab 2)

This course focuses on care of the patient who has had an amputation or condition that requires external support, including care related to underlying conditions and comorbidities. Topics such as care of residual limb, prosthetics and orthotics, and associated care and training will be discussed. (Lecture 2)

This class is the second of the Life Span series focused on developmental sequence and treatment across the lifetime of our patients. The focus of this course is the biopsychosocial aspects of aging in order to understand the complexities of geriatric care. Integration of the physical aging process, appropriate, evidence-based evaluation techniques, outcome measures, as well as the design of effective treatment plans are discussed. (Lecture 2)

This course examines current issues and trends in physical therapy clinical management. Specific topics include: (1) health care malpractice and business, contract, criminal, and education law concepts and case, statutory and regulatory law; (2) informed consent; (3) organizational theory, behavior, and culture; (4) leadership and management principles; (5) human resource management issues; (6) healthcare finance; (7) marketing of PT professional services; and (8) information, quality, and risk management. (Lecture 2)

This course includes the study of human neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, with emphasis on the relationship between structure, function, and control of the human nervous system in normal and diseased states. (Lecture 4)

This course expands on concepts introduced in anatomy and physiology and focuses on pathophysiology and disease frequently seen in physical therapy practice. (Lecture 2)

The second of two courses in this series, this course prepares the student to practice entry-level physical therapy relative to the management of the musculoskeletal conditions. This course will concentrate on the upper extremities, trunk and the cervical spine. Information related to common orthopaedic conditions and diagnoses is presented. Information regarding an evidence-based approach in critical thinking and application of psychomotor skills related to examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcomes assessment is emphasized. A primer on differential diagnosis and evaluation tools is presented to help students recognize problems that are beyond the physical therapy scope of practice and how/when to refer appropriately within the healthcare community. (Lecture 4/Lab 2)

This course focuses on screening for referral by the physical therapist and building upon the knowledge and skills of examination, screening, and evaluation from prior clinical management courses. Review of pathology of the major body system will be covered with current evidence for how differential diagnosis and screening is applied to each body system. Screening for emergent situations and preparations to respond to these situations will be discussed. Competencies gained through the course are intended to help prepare the practitioner to function as an autonomous provider capable of making accurate diagnostic and screening decisions according to the best available evidence. (Lecture 2)

The first of two courses in this series, this course prepares the future physical therapist to effectively manage patients with neuromuscular dysfunction. Students will apply the elements of patient/client management in physical therapy practice, including, screening, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, intervention, and outcomes assessment to the patient with neuromuscular dysfunction. The emphasis in this first course will be on an introduction of neuromuscular topics, including current motor control theories and evidence-based application of motor learning principles. (Lecture 3)

This is a limited residency course that includes distance and online coursework while students are on their final clinical internship, as well as on-campus presentation and evaluation activities. In this course, student finalize preparations for entering the profession of physical therapy, including demonstration of entry-level skills in physical therapy clinical practice through development, presentation, and defense of an evidence-based capstone project; participating in activities for success on the national licensure examination; and completion of other professional development activities. (Lecture 2)

The second of two courses in this series, this course prepares the future physical therapist to effectively manage patients with neuromuscular dysfunction. Students will incorporate and build upon concepts and skills developed in the first course. Students will learn to effectively manage adult patients with specific neurological diagnoses. Emphasis will be placed on using an evidence-based approach to developing knowledge and skills in managing a variety of common conditions, including spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular accident, vestibular dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, and multi-system neurologic conditions. The effects of aging and Geriatric neurological conditions will also be considered. (Lecture 4/Lab 2)

This course is strategically placed in semester 6 at the conclusion of the didactic portion of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program just before student therapists go out on extended clinical rotations. It is designed to aid students in assimilating content from all clinical management courses. Students are asked to analyze complex case scenarios, utilize evaluation skills, and design interventions including patient/family education and home exercise programs. Students work in teams to plan and rehearse each element of patient management to address case-based problems or patient simulations with consultation from faculty. Components of clinical practice that are integrated in this course include: interpersonal communication, utilization of evidence-based practice, examination, evaluation, plan of care establishment, intervention execution and modification, documentation, billing, and self and peer review. This course is designed to prepare students to make the transition from the classroom to the clinic. (Lecture 1/Lab 2)

Clinical Experience Courses (4 courses, 38 credits required)

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Credits

The first of four clinical education courses, this course is designed to facilitate socialization of DPT students to the clinical environment and to apply knowledge and basic skills developed up to this point in the curriculum in a real world setting. Students will participate in direct patient care while being instructed and supervised by clinical faculty members. Student activities may include, but are not limited to, patient examination, patient treatment, patient and family education, article presentations, and aspects of patient care.

The second of four clinical education courses, this course is designed to incorporate knowledge and skills obtained and enhanced during the first short term clinical experience and synthesize information and skills developed in the final didactic portion of the curriculum. Students will participate in direct patient care while being instructed and supervised by clinical faculty members. Student activities may include, but are not limited to, patient examination, patient treatment, patient and family education, article presentations, and all aspects of patient care and most aspects of patient/client management. It is anticipated that the student PT should be able to carry a caseload and work independently (with appropriate supervision) with most simple and many complex patient types by the end of this clinical experience.

The third of four clinical education courses, this course is designed to incorporate knowledge and skills obtained and enhanced during the first two clinical experiences and synthesize/appraise information and skills developed in the final didactic portion of the curriculum. Students will participate in direct patient care while being instructed and supervised by clinical faculty members. Student activities may include, but are not limited to, patient examination, patient treatment, patient and family education, article presentations, and all aspects of the patient/client management model appropriate to the setting. It is anticipated that the student PT will be able to demonstrate entry-level performance by the end of this clinical experience, for many of the criteria.

This final clinical education course is designed to incorporate knowledge and skills obtained and enhanced during the first three clinical experiences and synthesize/appraise information and skills developed in the final didactic portion of the curriculum. Students will participate in direct patient care while being instructed and supervised by clinical faculty members. Student activities may include, but are not limited to, patient examination, patient treatment, patient and family education, article presentations, and all aspects of the patient/client management model appropriate to the setting. It is anticipated that the student PT will be able to demonstrate entry-level performance by the end of this clinical experience.

Program Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: 

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please email dptprogram@rm.edu.