First Year Summer PT7010 Anatomical Dissection for Physical Therapists This is a dissection-based, radiographic anatomical study of the spine, lower extremity, and upper extremity as related to physical therapy. The course is a detailed lecture-and dissection-based anatomical study of the spine, upper and lower extremity, thorax, head and neck regions, as well as the abdominopelvic region as related to physical therapy. Basic and applied gross anatomical information, including clinical problems of anatomy commonly encountered by the physical therapist, will be presented in lecture followed by dissection and identification of relevant structures in the laboratory. PT7030 Clinical Skills and Examination I This course for physical therapists focuses on functional anatomy, bony and soft tissue palpation, goniometry, manual muscle testing, joint motion analysis, and whole body postural alignment examination. PT7400 Evidence Based Practice in Physical Therapy Principles of evidence based practice will be discussed. Topics covered will be forms and hierarchy of evidence, searches using a variety of databases pertinent to physical therapy, formulating the research question, measurement, and basic research design. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and utilization of statistical methods as well as on acquiring the skills to critically analyze research. Fall PT7700- Tissue Mechanics Course discusses biological, histological and biomechanical principles of connective tissues, bone, and muscle as applied to physical examination and therapeutic exercise. There is a presentation of medical imaging of the listed tissues as they appear on plane x-ray, MRI, fmri, CT scan, PET/SPECT scan, and ultrasound as related to physical therapy practice. Basic principles of exercise prescription will be discussed to achieve optimal outcomes for the patient based on the pathology, biomechanical principle of tissues, impairment, and the desired level of performance. PT7500- Neuroanatomy for Physical Therapists Neuroanatomical study of the human brain, brainstem, cranial nerves, and spinal cord is covered emphasizing function and clinical considerations relative to physical therapy PT7510 - Systems & Behavioral Neuroscience This course covers a systems approach to neural basis of, motor, sensory, cognitive, affective, and homeostatic processes that underlie behavior with emphasis on the motor control and motor learning of locomotion, postural control/balance, and skilled movement. Students will apply content to evaluating neural origins of movement dysfunction and the physiological basis for strategies to improve skilled motor performance PT7310- Communication and Documentation This course provides foundational information on physical therapy practice including history, roles and responsibilities, within the continuum of care and emphasizes professional communication, documentation skills, cultural competency, and educational practices for clients and families. PT7040- Clinical Skills and Examination II
The course describes fundamentals of the physical therapy patient care management process, clinical decision making model, and tests and measures across the disablement model. Students develop history-taking skills, conduct a review of systems, organize physical examination sequence, conduct gait analysis, and apply fundamental patient care mobility skills including gait training and assisted transfers. Spring PT7710- Orthopedics I: Upper Quarter This course focuses on orthopedic examination and treatment of the upper quarter of the musculoskeletal system, as well as a brief introduction to the cervical spine. The course is designed around the understanding of and subsequent application of the anatomy, mechanics, pathomechanics, pathology, surgical intervention, and rehabilitation to physical therapy case studies involving the upper quarter. Content includes orthopedic evaluation skills, advanced skill development in special tests, introduction to manual therapy of the extremities, and development of appropriate exercise programs. PT7720- Orthopedics II: Lower Quarter This course focuses on orthopedic examination and treatment of the lower quarter of the musculoskeletal system for physical therapists. It emphasizes common musculoskeletal problems of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot and includes a brief introduction to the pelvis and lumbar spine as it relates to lower quarter function. The course is designed around the understanding of an subsequent application of anatomy, mechanics, pathomechanics, pathology, surgical intervention, and rehabilitation to case studies involving the lower quarter. Orthopedic evaluation skills, advanced skill development in special tests, introduction to manual therapy of the extremities, and development of appropriate exercise programs. PT7110- Clinical Science I: Pathophysiology and Differential Diagnosis I This course deals with the application of physiological principles to the study of disease and injury, with particular attention to cellular injury, inflammation and repair, and immunity. Emphasis is given to the implications of pathophysiology for physical therapy evaluation and treatment. The general principles of pathophysiology will be applied to a limited set of specific examples in this class. However, subsequent clinical and systems-based courses in this curriculum will assume a working understanding of the concept presented in this class. This course will also prepare the student to treat patients with select systemic conditions, whether or not those conditions are the primary reason for physical therapy referral. Emphasis will be placed on identification of the patient with systemic pathologies requiring further consultation or referral to other health care providers through principles of differential diagnosis. PT7920-Clinical (Part Time) This course provides students with a part-time clinical experience under the supervision of clinical faculty during which they practice skills previously learned in the classroom. PT7520- PT Mgt: Brain Injury and Vestibular The focus of this course is utilizing knowledge of neuroanatomy, motor control systems and motor learning concepts to the physical therapy examination, evaluation and treatment of persons who have focal or diffuse lesions within the brain, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. Focus is on systems approach to clinical decision-making, functional re-training and case management. Second Year
Summer PT7530- PT Mgt: Chronic & Progressive Apply knowledge of disease progression, motor control and motor learning to the assessment and management of patients with chronic or progressive disease or injury of the spinal cord or brain. Stresses timely intervention and prevention of secondary impairments, functional limitations, and disability over the course of an illness or disease. PT7730- Orthopedics III: Spine The course focuses on the orthopedic examination and treatment of the spine for physical therapists. Manual skills and appropriate exercise programs for the spine will be developed. PT7120- Clinical Science II: Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy This course is designed to provide physical therapy students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate and treat individuals with cardiopulmonary problems. PT7650- Physical Agents Students will be introduced to the theoretical constructs for the use of physical agents in the treatment of patients by physical therapists. Additionally, students will practice the application of both thermal and electric physical agents in the treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic, neurological, and integumentary conditions. PT7901- Research This course continues development of the student s ability to critically analyze published biomedical scientific studies and to review scientific writing/presentation relative to a research project. PT8940- Capstone The student has a mentoring relationship with a faculty member concerning the student s chosen research topic. Fall PT8320- Regulation and Reimbursement in Physical Therapy The course focus is on reimbursement of physical therapy services and federal and state regulations within the healthcare setting. PT8330- Pro Dev: Business Practice The course provides basic knowledge and skills needed to plan and implement a physical therapy service. Topics include organization theory and design, as well as planning for space, risk management, personnel, budge needs, and legal issues related to managing a PT service. PT7130- Clinical Science III: Differential Diagnosis II This course provides students with an overview of topics from a cellular to a systems level. Gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hepatobiliary, renal, endocrine, and metabolic systems will be covered. Additionally, the role of physical therapy in acute care and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be covered. For each topic area or system, the student will be presented with a pathophysiology focused at the cellular and tissue level. The role of the physical therapists in differential diagnosis, by recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with impairments of the systems, will be presented. Prepares the student to identify the patient with systemic pathologies requiring further consultation or referral to other health care providers.
PT8940- Capstone The student has a mentoring relationship with a faculty member concerning the student s chosen research topic. PT8920- Clinical Practicum I - 10 weeks This course provides students with a supervised clinical experience at a selected acute care, outpatient orthopedic or neurologic rehabilitation clinical site different from previously used. Students will develop intermediate-level clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients with more complex conditions. Patients with integumentary or cardiopulmonary disorders may also be encountered. Spring PT8760- Manual Therapy I Various theories of manual therapy relative to extremity diagnoses are presented. The course focuses on the treatment efficacy of each theory as it relates to physical therapy practice. PT7540- Neural Synthesis The course integrates knowledge and skills from previous and concomitant courses to solve complex clinical problems related to neuromusculoskeletal disorders under the guidance of faculty mentors. Incorporates evidence based practice for examination, evaluation, and intervention strategies for selected patients. PT8410- Pediatrics Students acquire knowledge in the assessment and management of children with selected neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems that arise in infancy and childhood. Designed to provide student physical therapists with a variety of learning experiences emphasizing clinical knowledge and skills that underlie effective provision of professional services for infants, children, and adolescents. PT8510- Rehab Mgt I Methods to maximize function will be discussed including orthotic support for upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk, prosthetic devices and pre-prosthetic care, assistive technology, durable medical equipment, wheelchair prescription, and home evaluation and modification for adults and children. PT7140- Pharmacology Discussion of pharmacology and its implication in physical therapy is the focus of the course. Emphasis is on drug classification and drug mechanisms of action. PT8500- Health Promotion/Wellness Students will learn to motivate clients to participate in prevention and wellness efforts throughout the aging process and to differentiate this approach from traditional physical therapy practice. The development, implementation and assessment of health promotion and wellness programs will be discussed. Summer PT8921- Clinical Practicum II (12 weeks) Third year
This course provides students with a supervised clinical experience at a selected acute care, outpatient orthopedic or neurological rehabilitation clinical site different from previously used. Students will develop intermediate level clinical skills in the assessment and management of patients with more complex conditions. Patients with integumentary or cardiopulmonary disorders may also be encountered. Fall PT8770- Manual Therapy II Various theories of manual therapy relative to spinal conditions are presented. The course focuses on treatment efficacy relative to physical therapy practice. PT8150- PT Case Synthesis The course incorporates skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines as well as from previous and concomitant courses, including legal and ethical issues, to address clinical decision-making in complex patients in a problem-based learning format. PT8340- Pro Dev III Ethics and Leadership Topics include management styles, negotiation. Licensing of health professionals, the state practice act, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), leadership definition and experiential learning in professional leadership, and analysis of contemporary issues in physical therapy practice. Ethical practice, including the Code of Ethics for Physical Therapists and an ethical decision-making model will also be discussed. PT8940- Orthopedics in Physical Therapy Seminar The course continues the student s theoretical knowledge of orthopedic physical therapy through critical review of current literature Electives: PT8610-Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain The course explores the McKenzie method of treatment for low back pain. Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is a philosophy of treatment that relies on active patient involvement. The course is taught by a certified MDT Instructor. PT8620- Evaluation and Treatment of the Temporomandibular Joint Current concepts of the TMJ normal anatomy and function, physical therapy evaluation and treatment, and medical/dental interventions will be presented. Topics will be related to current clinical practice and research supported practices. PT8630-Biomechanical Foot Evaluation and Treatment The course will review the biomechanical evaluation of the foot and ankle as well as the prescription of foot orthotics to treat various gait dysfunctions. PT8650-Sports Physical Therapy The course builds on previous orthopedic physical therapy courses by focusing on injuries encountered during various levels of athletic participation from Little League to Senior Olympics. PT8660-Physical Therapy Management of Women s Health
The course will integrate normal structure and function of the female urogenital system with normal events, such as pregnancy and menopause, as well as with pathophysiology such as incontinence and pelvic pain. Physical therapy assessment, diagnosis, and management will be emphasized. PT8902-Advanced Neuroscience Seminar The course explores topics in neuroscience, particularly new scientific discoveries that can be important to management in physical therapy. PT8903-Advanced Pediatrics The course provides additional knowledge and skills in selected areas of pediatric physical therapy. Spring PT8922- Clinical Practicum III or IV (2, 8 week clinical experiences or 1, 16 week clinical experience) The course provides students with a supervised experience at a selected acute care, outpatient orthopedic, neurological rehabilitation or pediatric clinical site. Students are given the opportunity to develop more advanced clinical skills in a assessment and management of patients.