Division of Physical Therapy

DPT Curriculum

WVU's nationally-recognized tradition of excellence in educating entry-level physical therapists continues with the implementation of the DPT degree. Moving from a masters to doctoral-level curriculum allows the PT faculty to train students in greater depth at the graduate level. As stated by the APTA "The professional (entry-level) DPT program offers a sound educational background that should better equip the graduate to enter clinical practice able to examine, evaluate, diagnose, [determine prognosis], and intervene in the management of impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities of the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and integumentary systems."

DPT CURRICULUM
Note: This is subject to change without notice.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM

PT 705. Intro to Evidence Based PT. S2.2 hrs. An introduction to analysis of clinical and research problems, including strategies for obtaining and building evidence data bases. Introduction to critique of evidence.

PT 706. Advanced Clinical Anatomy. S2.5 hrs. This course presents advanced problem based study in select topics dealing with clinical applications of gross anatomy to physical therapy practice. Laboratory work includes dissection and computer based instructional sessions.

PT 711. Professional Roles 1. 1.3 hrs. Introduction to fundamentals of professional behavior for the physical therapist. Includes units on communication, documentation, values, culture, health ethics and law.

PT 713. Functional Movement Across the Lifespan. 1.2 hrs. An overview of motor learning, including acquisition of developmental patterns, motor control, motor skill acquisition. This course also provides an overview of the effects of normative processes of aging on neuromotor patterns.

PT 714. Clinical Sciences 1. 1.4 hrs. An introduction to sciences fundamental to physical therapy diagnosis. Includes immunology, embryology, histology & pathology.

PT 715. Evidence Based PT 1. 1.2 hrs. Introduction to the Problem-Based Learning method utilizing guided case study presentations Students learn to ask questions, obtain and evaluate evidence pertaining to clinical physical therapy case management.

PT 716. Kinesiologic Foundations. 1.4 hrs. Functional anatomical correlations and human movement. Includes statics, biomechanics, dynamics and functional movement analysis.

PT 718. Evaluation Procedures. 1.3 hrs. Theory and practice in evaluation procedures used by therapists. Includes Manual Muscle Test, isokinetic muscle testing, and assessment of components of movement, posture, balance and hand function.

PT 724. Exercise Foundations. 2.3 hrs. Principles of aerobic and resistance training for rehabilitation populations. Includes laboratory experience in exercise testing and development of exercise programs for therapeutic purposes.

PT 720. Clinical Education 1. 2.1 hrs. Students observe various members of the health care team in practice. Students practice verbal and written communication skills.

PT 723. Developmental Life Tasks. 2.3 hrs. Study of life-span human development across cognitive, psychosocial and neuromotor domains with particular emphasis on applications to physical therapy interventions. The course includes cultural influences in health and illness.

PT 725. Evidence Based PT 2. 2.3 hrs. Continue to prepare students to practice from an evidence basis, emphasizing evaluation of scientific evidence by teaching research method, design & statistical analysis.

PT 727. Neurobiologic Foundations. 2.4 hrs. Basic and clinical applications of neuroanatomy and neurology. Includes lectures on neurophysiological basis of physical therapy practice.

PT 728. Physical Therapy Procedures 1. 2.3 hrs. Introduction, theoretical basis and laboratory practice of procedures basic to physical therapy practice.

PT 730. Clinical Education 2. S1.2 hrs. Students practice basic clinical skills introduced in the first year of the curriculum. Students will complete a full-time one-week supervised clinical rotation with a licensed physical therapist.

PT 732. Physical Therapeutic Agents 1. S1.2 hrs. Physical therapy majors only; must have successfully completed the required previous coursework in the professional sequence. Theory and practical application of modalities used in physical therapy practice. Therapeutic agents of this course include, but are not limited to: hydrotherapy, therapeutic heat and cold, and ultrasound.

PT 733. Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. S1.3 hrs. Medical lectures on cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, including surgical and pharmacologic treatments. Course includes topics on stress testing, use of monitoring equipment and evaluation and planning of rehabilitation protocols.

PT 734. Clinical Sciences 2. S2.2 hrs. Continued study into sciences basic to establishing a physical therapy diagnosis. Emphasis on radiology.

PT 738. Physical Therapy Procedures 2. 1.2 hrs. Theory and clinical application of therapeutic exercise techniques.

PT 740. Clinical Education Symposium 1. 1.1 hrs. Students attend case presentations applicable to physical therapy management according to the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.

PT 741. Professional Roles 2. 1.4 hrs. An overview of professional/ community interaction. Prepares student to participate in health promotion & prevention programs with an emphasis on health needs of W. Va./Appalachia. Working with community agencies and serving as an advocate are included. Student learns how to effectively plan, implement and evaluate education programs.

PT 743. Geriatric Physical Therapy. 1.2 hrs. Students are provided information about medical and psychosocial factors associated with aging. Study of the role of physical therapy in geriatrics, including laboratory practice of common evaluation and treatment procedures.

PT 744. Clinical Sciences 3. 1.2 hrs. Continued study into sciences basic to establishing a physical therapy diagnosis. Emphasis on pharmacology.

PT 745. Evidence Based PT 3. 2 hrs. Continuation of preparation for critical thinking and decision making in the clinic. Emphasis is on generating research questions aimed at establishing evidence for clinical judgment in physical therapy case management.

PT 746. Orthopedic Physical Therapy 1. 1.5 hrs. Evaluation and rehabilitation of mechanical disorders of the spine and upper extremities. Course includes medical lectures, case studies and laboratory practice of evaluation and treatment skills common to physical therapy practice.

PT 742. Physical Therapeutic Agents 2. S2.2 hrs. Physical therapy majors only; must have successfully completed the required previous coursework in the professional sequence. Continuation of therapeutic physical agents 1. Includes, but is not limited to, practical application and theory in electrotherapeutic modalities used in physical therapy practice.

PT 750. Clinical Education Symposium 2. 2.1 hrs. Students present case studies applicable to physical therapy management according to the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.

PT 754. Clinical Sciences 4. 2.4 hrs. Introduction to selected topics in clinical medicine that are basic to physical therapy practice. Topics include genetics, metabolic and endocrine disorders, oncology, rheumatology, somatic disorders, and wound care.

PT 755. Evidence Based PT 4. 2.2 hrs. Continuation of preparation for critical thinking and decision making in the clinic. Emphasis is on autonomous practice and decisions regarding referral to other members of the health care team. Students work in small groups in a problem based learning format.

PT 756. Orthopedic Physical Therapy 2. 2.3 hrs. Evaluation and rehabilitation of mechanical disorders of the spine and lower extremities. Course includes medical lectures, case studies and laboratory practice of evaluation and treatment skills common to physical therapy practice.

PT 757. Neurologic Physical Therapy 1. 2.3 hrs. Science of motor learning and motor control are studied and applied to case management of the neurologic clinical population, including stroke rehabilitation.

PT 765. Physical Therapy Research 1. 1.2 hrs. Introduces research theory and application with special emphasis on physical therapy. Prepares students to answer clinical questions through design of a research project. Students develop a literature review and research proposal.

PT 760. Clinical Education 3. S1, 2.6 hrs. Students practice full-time for twelve weeks under the direction of licensed physical therapists and participate in rural health projects.

PT 693. Special Topics. 1.3 hrs. Consent. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

PT 697. Research. 1,2. S1-15 hrs. Consent. Research activities leading to thesis, problem report, research paper or equivalent scholarly project, or a dissertation.

PT 761. PT Roles 3. 1.3 hrs. Principles of business and management are covered as they apply to contemporary physical therapy practice. Fiscal management, risk management, marketing and program development, delivery & evaluation are addressed. Preparation of the physical therapist to serve as a consultant.

PT 762. Health Care Issues in PT. 2 hrs. The role of physical therapists as advocates of people with disabilities are discussed. Investigation of community and home barriers is included. Students and clinicians discuss the roles of and demands on physical therapists in various practice settings.

PT 763. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 1.3 hrs. Survey of developmental conditions commonly seen in pediatric physical therapy. Includes laboratory practice of evaluation, treatment planning and clinical problem solving.

PT 767. Neurologic Physical Therapy 2. 1.2 hrs. Prepares physical therapy students to perform examinations and treatments of patients with a variety of neurologic diagnoses. Introduces the students to assistive technology and adaptive equipment as adjuncts to treatment.

PT 768. Prosthetics and Orthotics. 1.3 hrs. Presents the principles of biomechanics as they apply to prosthetic and orthotic prescription and fabrication. Student learns how to plan and implement rehabilitation programs for patients that must use orthotic or prosthetic devices.

PT 691. Advanced Topics. 2 Var. Students are permitted to design and carry out elective study under a learning contract.

PT 770. Clinical Education Symposium 3. 2 hrs. Students prepare oral and written cases reports based on their patient care experiences.

PT 780. Clinical Education 4. 8 hrs. Students practice full-time for sixteen weeks under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists.

CLINICAL AFFILIATIONS

Clinical education is an essential part of the physical therapy program. The program is affiliated with more than 200 facilities that provide a variety of educational experiences in general acute care, rehabilitation, orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, and geriatrics. These facilities are located throughout the United States, but are primarily clustered in West Virginia and the surrounding states.

Students are responsible for all expenses related to clinical education (i.e. travel, housing, meals, health insurance, etc).

Academic Progress
While in the Physical Therapy program, a student must attain a grade of at least "C" in all course work, satisfactorily complete all clinical affiliations, and maintain the program's GPA requirements.

HCOP

The Division of Physical Therapy is committed to the goal of educating physical therapists that are competent, compassionate, and qualified to practice in diverse settings. The Division participates in the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), which is a federally funded program to encourage youth from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully embark on health careers. The Division currently allows two admission slots for applicants who are applying under the HCOP program.