Physical Therapy - DPT

Degree Title and Name: Doctor of Physical Therapy

Program Name and Number: Physical Therapy – DP8140

Department/Unit: School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry: Summer

Program Overview: The Division of Physical Therapy is dedicated to excellence and leadership in preparing future physical therapists with the knowledge, behavior, skills, and inter-professional experiences required to function as a movement specialist within the contemporary health care environment. The program imparts students and residents with the foundation to become expert clinicians through rigorous preparation built upon evidence-based practice principles, critical thinking, altruism, integrity, ethical conduct, and professional and fiscal responsibility. The program generates and disseminates research and scholarship that advances the practice of physical therapy. Leading by example, we enrich our rural community through clinical outreach for at-risk and/or underserved populations.

Based on the faculty’s extensive clinical expertise and national prominence in research as well as the exceptional clinical performance of our students and graduates, the Division of Physical Therapy is ranked among the top 20% of physical therapy programs in the most recent US News and World Report survey. In addition, the Division is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

The curriculum is designed to meet the accreditation standards as well as to prepare graduates for contemporary practice. Fundamental to this preparation is the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills utilizing evidence-based practice for optimal patient care. The hybrid curriculum includes elements of traditional, system based, and problem-solving approaches. There is an intentional progression from simpler to more complex concepts/problems that require synthesis from all areas of the curriculum. Clinical skill development is integrated within the didactic, laboratory, and clinical education components of the curriculum. Synthesis coursework challenges the student to evaluate and treat the medically complex patient. Advanced assessment and treatment skills in multiple areas of practice are taught in elective courses offered during the final didactic term. The program emphasizes the development of professional leadership and community responsibility (service learning) through the creation of an individualized Professional Development Portfolio.

During the course of the curriculum, students participate in 36 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences or practicums. The Division has clinical education agreements with medical centers, rehabilitation and outpatient facilities, general acute care hospitals and specialty clinics throughout the United States. In addition, a study abroad opportunity in Botswana is available.

This is a full-time program requiring nine semesters to complete in three full calendar years.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to assume the role of a competent clinician in the contemporary health care environment.
Students will be able to utilize problem solving during patient care.
Students will be able to think critically as demonstrated by participation in evidence-based practice and research.
Students will be able to participate in life-long learning and professionalism.
Students will be able to assume the role of an educator and a communicator in the contemporary health care environment.
Students will be able to exhibit professional behaviors consistent with the standards of contemporary physical therapy practice.
Students will be able to demonstrate the core values for the profession in both the didactic and clinical education phases of the curriculum.

Opportunities for Graduates: Over the past 10 years, 100% of our graduates who wanted jobs acquired one in physical therapy within 6 months of graduating from the program.

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/chsp/rcs/pt/

Graduation Requirements: The student will complete at least 138 semester credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and no grade below a “C.” The courses listed below are not necessarily in the order in which they are taken.

Required courses (complete 129 credit hours)

PT 7011 - Anatomical Dissection of the Extremities for PT (5)
PT 7012 - Anatomical Dissection of the Spine and Trunk for PT (5)
PT 7031 - Clinical Skills and Examination I: Foundations (2)
PT 7032 - Clinical Skills and Examination I: Applications (3)
PT 7041 - Clinical Skills and Examination II: Foundations (2)
PT 7042 - Clinical Skills and Examination II: Applications (3)
PT 7111 - Clinical Medicine in Physical Therapy (3)
PT 7120 - Cardiopulmonary Conditions in Physical Therapy (3)
PT 7130 - Differential Diagnosis and Acute Care in Physical Therapy (3)
PT 7140 - Pharmacology in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 7150 - Imaging in Rehabilitation (2)
PT 7301 - Clinical and Professional Orientation in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 7311 - Professional Communications & Documentation in PT (2)
PT 7400 - Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy (3)
PT 7500 - Neuroanatomy for Physical Therapists (2)
PT 7510 - Neural Basis of Movement I: Systems and Behavioral Neuroscience (3)
PT 7521 - Foundations for Management of Adult Stroke and Brain Injury in PT (2)
PT 7522 - Clinical Applications for Management of Adult Stroke & Brain Injury in PT (3)
PT 7525 - Balance & Vestibular Conditions in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 7531 - Foundations for Management of Chronic and/or Progressive Disability in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 7532 - Clinical Applications for Patients with Chronic and/or Progressive Disability in PT (3)
PT 7651 - Physical Agents in Physical Therapy (4)
PT 7655 - Wound Care in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 7701 - Tissue Mechanics: Non-contractile Tissues (2)
PT 7702 - Tissue Mechanics: Contractile Tissue & Therapeutic Exercise (3)
PT 7711 - Foundations of Orthopedics for the Upper Quarter in PT (2)
PT 7712 - Clinical Applications for the Upper Quarter in Physical Therapy (3)
PT 7721 - Foundations of Orthopedics for the Lower Quarter (2)
PT 7722 - Clinical Applications for the Lower Quarter (3)
PT 7731 - Foundations of Orthopedics for the Spine (2)
PT 7732 - Clinical Applications for the Spine (3)
PT 7920 - Integrated Clinical Experience in PT (1)
PT 8150 - Physical Therapy Complex Case Synthesis (2)
PT 8320 - Regulation and Reimbursement in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 8330 - Planning and Implementing a Physical Therapy Service (2)
PT 8341 - Synthesis of Professional Development in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 8411 - Foundations of Pediatric Physical Therapy (2)
PT 8412 - Clinical Applications for Pediatric Physical Therapy (3)
PT 8500 - Health Promotion and Wellness (2)
PT 8510 - Rehabilitation Management: Functional Support Mechanisms (2)
PT 8761 - Manual Therapy for the Extremities (4)
PT 8920 - Clinical Practicum I (5)
PT 8921 - Clinical Practicum II (10)
PT 8922 - Clinical Practicum III (6)
PT 8923 - Clinical Practicum IV (6)
or
PT 8924 - Extended Terminal Clinical Practicum (12)

Electives (complete at least 9 credit hours hours)

PT 8610 - Physical Therapy Advanced Evaluation & Treatment in Low Back Pain (2)
PT 8650 - Sports Physical Therapy (2)
PT 8660 - Physical Therapy Management of Women’s Health (2)
PT 8740 - Physical Therapy Seminar (2)
PT 8771 - Manual Therapy for Spine (4)
PT 8900 - Special Topics in PT (1-15)
PT 8901 - Clinical Workshops in PT (1-3)
PT 8902 - Advanced Neuroscience Seminar (2)
PT 8903 - Advanced Pediatrics for Physical Therapists (2)
PT 8905 - Interdisciplinary Seminar in Patient Care (2)
PT 8906 - Amplitude Specific Training for Parkinson’s Disease (1)
PT 8907 - Analysis and Treatment of the Running Athlete (3)
PT 8908 - Advanced Balance & Vestibular Care in Physical Therapy (2)

Students will be required to be in residence on the Athens campus for 7 semesters during the program.

Culminating Experience: The final clinical education practicum serves as the culminating experience for students in the program.

Admission Requirements:

A baccalaureate degree with the following conditions:
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 for the prerequisite courses (see below)
- At least 40 hours of PT volunteer/observation
- Three letters of recommendation from 2 different Physical Therapists and 1 college professor
Submission of verbal and quantitative GRE scores
Prerequisite courses are below. For specifics on acceptable courses, please see the Program website.

Statistics	One course
Developmental/child psychology	One course
General psychology	One course
Physics	Two semester or three quarter courses including laboratory
Chemistry	Two semester or three quarter courses including laboratory
Biology	Two semester or three quarter courses including laboratory
Human anatomy	One course including laboratory
Exercise physiology	One course
Medical terminology	One course

Up-to-date prerequisite information can be found on the Program’s website listed above. Application to the Program is through a centralized application service found at www.PTCAS.org.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.