COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
DPT 5139 Clinical Correlation
1 semester hour
This seminar is designed to accompany HCS 5308 Human Anatomy, HCS 5209 Human Anatomy Dissection Laboratory. This course begins the process of integrating the basic sciences into clinical applications in physical therapy. This course will emphasize basic clinical skills such as: muscle and bony landmark palpation, dermatome identification, DTR testing and motor screening. The cognitive knowledge of muscle origin, insertion and action will be taught concurrently with the appropriate psychomotor skill of palpation.
DPT 5320 Tests and Measures
3 semester hours
The course introduces the concepts of measurement for persons with dysfunctions. Valid and reliable outcome measures for individuals with impairments, functional limitations and disabilities associated with dysfunction in the neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and integumentary systems are presented. Students have the opportunity to become proficient in the administration of these outcome measurements through lecture, lab, and clinical experience.
DPT 5351 Clinical Kinesiology
3 semester hours
Biomechanical principles of human movement are presented. Physics, physiology and anatomy are integrated to investigate normal and abnormal movement of the spine and extremities. Osteokinematics and arthrokinematics are included. Gait, posture and movements are analyzed in laboratory settings to enhance the lectures.
DPT 5151 PT Procedures
1 semester hour
Physical Therapy Procedures is an introductory clinical skills course that focuses on body mechanics, positioning and draping, basic wheelchair management, transfers, bed mobility, and gait training of patients referred to physical therapy. These topics will be addressed regarding safety in a variety of settings. Additional topics will address special patient populations (ICU equipment/patient management) and proper assessment of vital signs including blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse, and temperature. The students will have the opportunity to practice The American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide-based approach to physical therapy practice and documentation.
DPT 5302 Therapeutic Interventions I
3 semester hours
This course presents anatomical and physiological principles to allow students to develop integrated therapeutic exercise interventions. Students have the opportunity to develop an acquired understanding of physiological responses to various types of training and develop skills in prescription, implementation, and modeling of exercise programs. Exercise components of strength, aerobic/anaerobic conditioning, flexibility, balance and stage of healing/rehabilitation are examined. Evidence of appropriate, safe and effective exercise design and proper exercise biomechanics and prescription parameters are addressed with all interventions. Exercise considerations for special populations and across the age span are covered. Concepts are presented in lecture and practiced in the laboratory.
HCS 5306 Introduction to Clinical Pathology
3 semester hours
This course offers an introduction to general pathology. Basic pathological processes are emphasized, and specific disease entities are used extensively to illustrate principles. Clinical manifestations of disease are correlated with their pathology.
DPT 5251 Professional Practice Development I
2 semester hours
This course is the first of four courses dedicated to practice management. Students investigate professionalism as it relates to accountability, altruism, compassion/caring, integrity, communication, and education in practice. Students are introduced to legal and ethical issues related to physical therapy. Principles of teaching and learning are explored and practiced. Foundations of communication: verbal, non-verbal and written are introduced. This lecture and seminar course teaches an overview of the physical therapist’s role in the health care delivery system, using the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
DPT 5237 Pathokinesiology
2 semester hours
This course examines pathological kinesiology concepts. Emphasis is placed on recognizing and describing abnormal posture, movement and gait patterns in the laboratory. Included are topics of fractures and orthopedic radiology.
DPT 5240 Neuromuscular Patient/Client Management I
2 semester hours
This is the introductory course to the management of the patient/client with a neurological disorder. Theory and evidence on motor control, motor learning, and neuroplasticity provide framework for a series of lectures on neurological patient management including examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care. Emphasis within this course includes problem solving, and the use of evidence to support clinical decision making when formulating interventions. Case studies are utilized to reinforce integration of the material. Laboratory sessions and clinical experience afford students the opportunity to practice both examination and intervention skills.
DPT 5330 Musculoskeletal Patient/Client Management I
3 semester hours
This course addresses the medical and rehabilitation management of patients with appendicular musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Emphasis is placed on the use of evidence-based practice to support current practice in clinical decision-making when formulating interventions that are diagnosis-specific to a patient's signs and symptoms. Laboratory sessions allow for practice and application of lecture content and are designed to aid students in development of critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as orthopedic manual therapy skills, including manipulation. Didactic material is continually integrated and reinforced through study of actual patient cases as an exercise in differential diagnosis, prognosis, and proper management. Physician lectures are included for a medical perspective on surgical and post-operative management of patients with upper and lower extremity dysfunctions.
DPT 5306 Pediatric Patient/Client Management
3 semester hours
This course addresses both the medical and rehabilitation management of the pediatric patient. Foundation lectures on normal development and psychological issues provide the students with a model to use when learning about pediatric pathologies, assessments and interventions. Students gain experience with this patient population through laboratory and clinical opportunities.
DPT 5235 Therapeutic Interventions II
2 semester hours
This course is designed to apply previous basic exercise knowledge and techniques into an integrated patient intervention program. This includes exercise programming and progression for upper/lower extremities and the spine. Students are introduced to the use of selected physical agents. These include thermotherapy, actinotherapy, and deep thermotherapy. Consideration for the implementation of exercise programming and physical agents include factors such as stage of tissue healing, surgical procedures, patient medical history, impairments and functional limitations. Basic principles of operation of therapeutic instruments and recognition of indications/contraindications/precautions in the clinical application of these agents are discussed. This course provides the foundation needed in clinical decision making regarding patient care and recovery. Evidence of efficacy is addressed with all interventions. Concepts are presented in lecture and practiced in the laboratory.
DPT 5138 Integumentary Patient/Client Management
1 semester hour
This course prepares students for clinical practice by providing the basis and rationale for evaluating and treating patients with pathology or impairments of the integumentary system. The class will continue to advance the concepts of universal precautions and infection control. Students learn to identify primary prevention/risk factors and impairments, and apply appropriate interventions for disorders of the integumentary system and soft-tissue dysfunction. Laboratory sessions allow the student to gain experience in the techniques utilized in clinical practice.
DPT 5236 Evidence-Based Clinical Research I
2 semester hours
This lecture course provides an overview of the research process with a focus on evidence-based clinical research. Students learn research principles of measurement, reliability, validity, errors, specificity, sensitivity, hypothesis testing, research design and common statistical analyses. Students will conduct on-line literature searches and learn about appropriate information sources.
DPT 5257 Professional Practice Development II
2 semester hours
This is the second of four professional practice courses addressing physical therapy practice. This course builds on documentation skills, emphasizing the elements from the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Student skills include planning, organizing and implementing plan of care that incorporates primary, secondary, and tertiary care provided by PT and other practitioners as appropriate. Students learn about various systems of reimbursement for PT services. Community members share information relating to marketing, reimbursement, quality assurance and standard of care, productivity, coordination of care with other providers, and health care trends/issues in a variety of settings. Current legislative and public health issues relating to PT practice are examined, and advocacy is promoted.
DPT 5135 Therapeutic Intervention III
1 semester hour
This course builds upon the knowledge and skills learned in Therapeutic Interventions I and II and Evidence-Based Critical Inquiry I. The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for safe, effective, and appropriate use of electrotherapeutic modalities. The pertinent physical and physiological principles are reviewed. Case studies emphasizing clinical examination, evaluation, decision-making, and application related to pain, neuromuscular, and tissue healing management are presented. The concept of evidence-based practice is reinforced by examining and evaluating current literature, preparing the student to judge the evidence for clinical practice. The student receives laboratory exposure to and experience with all electrotherapeutic procedures.
DPT 5304 Geriatric Patient/Client Management
3 semester hours
This course is an overview of adult development, including physical as well as psychological issues. Topics covered include theories of aging, attitudes towards aging and the older adult, health care needs, long-term care and family /caregiver issues. Lectures also address age related changes and common pathologies to help the student identify appropriate physical therapy management of this patient population. Community based activities serve to enhance the learning of this material.
DPT 5137 Evidence-Based Clinical Research II
1 semester hour
This course is a continuation of DPT 5336. It allows students to determine appropriate information sources and databases and apply literature search skills to develop a research topic. In collaboration with their faculty mentors, students will develop a project proposal, a faculty assisted research project, or a faculty mentored in-depth review of the literature on a defined clinical question. Students will begin to critically analyze current literature evidence appropriate for the projects.
DPT 5341 Neuromuscular Patient/Client Management II
3 semester hours
This course is a continuum of DPT 5240 and addresses both the medical and rehabilitation management of adult patients with neurological dysfunctions. Lectures on adult neurological pathologies cover diagnosis as well as medical management. Physical therapy examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and formulation of plan of care for specific adult neurological diseases are covered in lecture and laboratory experiences. Case studies provide the opportunity to integrate current evidence with practice. Clinical opportunities enhance the development of clinical competence in the management of this patient population.
DPT 5134 Service Learning (Camp John Marc)
1 semester hour
This course is designed to integrate previous didactic and psychomotor skills with a community based service opportunity. Students have the opportunity to work closely with community organizations and special patient populations that require rehabilitation and daily care needs. Students are provided specific learning objectives focused on needs of the community organization and professional practice expectations. Students also have the opportunity to reflect and participate in a self-assessment on how community service impacts the profession of physical therapy.
DPT 5431 Musculoskeletal Patient/Client Management II
4 semester hours
This course is a continuum of DPT 5330 and addresses the medical and rehabilitation management of patients with axial musculoskeletal and pelvic dysfunctions. Emphasis is placed on the use of scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice to support current practice in clinical decision-making when formulating interventions and diagnosis by classification of a patient's signs and symptoms. Laboratory sessions allow for practice and application of lecture content and are designed to aid students in development of critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as orthopedic manual therapy skills, including manipulation. Didactic material is continually integrated and reinforced through study of actual patient cases as an exercise in differential diagnosis, prognosis, and proper management. Physician lectures are included for a medical perspective on surgical and post-operative management of patients with spinal dysfunctions.
DPT 5140 Elements of Pharmacology for the Physical Therapist
1 semester hour
This course prepares physical therapists for their role as autonomous practitioners by providing instruction in general pharmacologic principles, drug effects of commonly prescribed medications, and over-the-counter drugs. Additional information on potential drug interactions and physical therapy interventions, indications, contraindications and side effects are presented. This course introduces the student to electronic resources and current texts that facilitate clinical screening in clinical practice.
DPT 5444 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Patient/Client Management
4 semester hours
This course is designed to develop examination and evaluation techniques, and therapeutic interventions specific to the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Course emphasis is on impairments related to primary or secondary dysfunction of the cardiac and ventilatory pumps. Topics include a medical overview of the related pathologies, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation strategies in patients with co-morbidities and related cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction. Intervention domains include prevention and health promotion, medical and pharmacologic care for the continuum of acute to chronic conditions and appropriate exercise prescription and progression techniques. This course includes a laboratory portion for development of evaluation and intervention skills.
DPT 5216 Professional Practice Management I
2 semester hours
This is the third of four courses dedicated to professional practice of the physical therapist in the 21st century. Students learn to develop and manage a PT practice in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements, organizational structure, fiscal management, personnel management, marketing (public relations), information systems, and quality assurance. Students also learn to accept responsibility for supervision and direction of personnel and tasks related to PT practice within legal and ethical guidelines.
DPT 5305 Medical Practice Management
3 semester hours
Students will be exposed to the medical screening process and learn how to integrate clinical expertise of when to treat, when to refer patients to appropriate practitioner, and when to consult for additional expertise. A systems approach will be used to study the signs and symptoms associated with selected medical conditions. Students will be introduced to a variety of medical conditions and their management that are not easily categorized into musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary disorders.
DPT 5445 Clinical Internship I (8 week affiliation)
4 semester hours
This first full-time eight week clinical experience provides students with the opportunity to integrate and practice their didactic knowledge with clinical decision making. The emphasis of this experience is on patient examination, evaluation, treatment planning, goal setting, and delivery of interventions. The PT MACS is used to plan learning opportunities and assess student performance. Self-assessment at the end of this experience provides opportunity for students to set goals for the next clinical experience.
DPT 5218 Assistive Technology in Rehabilitation
2 semester hours
This course exposes students to assistive technology for individuals of all ages with dysfunction in the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and integumentary systems. Topics presented include prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchair prescription, seating systems, and environmental control systems. Case studies enhance learning of the material. Patient models during laboratory sessions and community clinical experiences allow integration of the material.
DPT 5136 Professional Practice Management II
1 semester hour
This is the last of four courses addressing professional practice issues in physical therapy. Students are prepared to enter the job market with interview skills and professional resumes. Preparation strategies for the licensure examination are presented. Self-assessment using the core values and generic abilities promotes life-long personal and professional development. Integration of prior clinical experience and course work is facilitated through case studies that enhance problem-solving skills. This course is designed to prepare the student for the role of the physical therapist in autonomous practice.
DPT 5141 Prevention, Health Promotion, Fitness and Wellness
1 semester hour
This course addresses the concepts of health promotion and wellness across the age span and the role of physical therapist in health promotion. Theoretical basis of health behaviors and methodology to assist in changing of behavior are discussed. Community based laboratory experiences afford students the opportunity to design, implement and promote wellness and injury prevention programs.
DPT 5217 Advanced Therapeutic Techniques
2 semester hours
This course provides students with the opportunity to investigate and further develop intervention techniques for the neurological and orthopedic patients. Students will evaluate the current literature for clinical evidence supporting specialty intervention techniques that are available and utilized in clinical practices. Students have the opportunity to develop skill in manual techniques based on patient case models and scenarios.
DPT 5132 Evidence-Based Clinical Research III
1 semester hour
This final course provides students the opportunity to further develop their written and oral communication skills and improve their use of technology through a formal presentation of their research findings at a scientific symposium. A scientific paper summarizing their research project and findings will be submitted.
DPT 5702 Clinical Internship II (14 week affiliation)
7 semester hours
Entry-level performance in all aspects of patient/client management in a selected practice setting is the expected outcome following a fourteen-week full-time clinical experience. The PT MACS is used to assess student performance based on safe and effective practice. Cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills are assessed in the clinical setting.
DPT 5701 Clinical Internship III (14 week affiliation)
7 semester hours
Entry-level performance in all aspects of patient/client management in a selected practice setting is the expected outcome following a fourteen-week full-time clinical experience. In addition, competence in practice management skills is also expected. The PT MACS is used to assess student performance based on safe and effective practice. Cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills are assessed in the clinical setting.
