Instructional Format

The three year Doctor of Physical Therapy program integrates classroom instruction on a campus with the opportunity for practical application of principles learned at over 300 approved clinical sites. Instruction is carried out in lecture/laboratory sessions, group discussion/activities, and the clinical experiences. Critical thinking and problem solving skills, as applied to health care systems and patient evaluation/treatment, are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Throughout the program, each student assembles a research portfolio representing the completion of competencies in the basic tenants of research such as: abstracting, hypothesis formation, experimental design, data collection and analysis.

Each student also completes a professional practicum which allows him/her to pursue individual interests within the areas of administration, critical inquiry, education or health care policy.  The student, with input from his/her advisor, designs the project, develops the objectives to guide the experience, and is responsible for timely completion of the practicum project.