Doctor of Physical Therapy - Professional
Website: https://twu.edu/physical-therapy/graduate-programs/doctor-of-physical-therapy-dpt/
Physical therapists are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program prepares graduates to provide physical therapy care for people in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, sports and fitness facilities, and nursing homes. Graduates are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam required for licensure in every state.
Marketable Skills
Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."
- Communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, healthcare team members, and the community.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in healthcare and make informed decisions considering patients, caregivers, healthcare systems, and society.
- Function effectively on a healthcare team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan interventions, and meet patient care objectives.
- Acquire, interpret, and apply new knowledge in support of evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
98 semester credit hours (SCH).
Prerequisite Courses
- Required Prerequisites completed with a grade of C or higher before the program begins (recommended that no more than three are outstanding at the time of application).
- Prerequisite Math & Science GPA above 3.0 using the latest grades in: Chemistry I & II with labs, Physics I & II with labs, Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs, and Algebra (or higher, statistics not accepted)
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry I & II with labs - For science majors | 8 | |
| Physics I & II with labs - Algebra or calculus-based | 8 | |
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs - Or 4 SCH Anatomy and 4 SCH of Physiology: each must have 1 SCH labs. (Recommend that courses be completed within the last 5 years) | 8 | |
| Algebra or higher or AP credit - Not Statistics | 3 | |
| Intro or general Psychology | 3 | |
| 2nd Psychology: Lifespan Developmental, Abnormal, or Physiological | 3 | |
| Medical Terminology - Or universal class online: Med Term 201 | 1-3 | |
| Exercise physiology, statistics, advanced physiology, and neuroanatomy/physiology are strongly recommended. | ||
| Total SCHs | 34-36 | |
Program of Study
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| PT 6014 | Applied Pathophysiology of Internal Systems in Physical Therapy | 4 |
| PT 6015 | Human Gross Anatomy | 5 |
| PT 6653 | Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice | 3 |
| PT 6713 | Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PT 6003 | Exam, Evaluation, and Outcomes in Physical Therapy | 3 |
| PT 6022 | Applied Pathophysiology of the Musculoskeletal System | 2 |
| PT 6042 | Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy I | 2 |
| PT 6045 | Neuroscience and Applied Pathophysiology of the Neuromuscular System | 5 |
| PT 6073 | Movement Science in Physical Therapy | 3 |
| PT 6731 | Experiential Learning | 1 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| PT 6002 | Primary Care in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PT 6033 | Research in Physical Therapy | 3 |
| PT 6173 | Foundations of Physical Therapy Interventions | 3 |
| PT 6052 | Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy II | 2 |
| PT 6302 | Integumentary Physical Therapy | 2 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| PT 6001 | Research Experience I | 1 |
| PT 6122 | Prostheses, Orthoses, and Advanced Gait | 2 |
| PT 6354 | Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I | 4 |
| PT 6344 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I | 4 |
| PT 6353 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| PT 6102 | Professional Practice I | 2 |
| PT 6374 | Neuromuscular Physical Therapy II | 4 |
| PT 6364 | Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II | 4 |
| PT 6384 | Clinical Experience I | 4 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| PT 6201 | Health Promotion and Wellness I | 1 |
| PT 6394 | Clinical Experience II | 4 |
| PT 6622 | Clinical Integration | 2 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| PT 6011 | Research Experience II | 1 |
| PT 6404 | Clinical Experience III | 4 |
| PT 6743 | Professional Practice II | 3 |
| PT 6152 | Health Promotion and Wellness II | 2 |
| PT 6251 | Health Promotion and Wellness Practicum | 1 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| PT 6021 | Research Experience III | 1 |
| PT 6415 | Clinical Experience IV | 5 |
| PT 6843 | Professional Practice III | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 98 | |
Upon completing the DPT, a licensure exam is required to practice. Please note that entry to the profession in all states requires licensure. Many states have different provisions for licensure, so applicants must determine if they meet these requirements. It is the responsibility of the applicants to ensure that they meet the requirements for application for licensure in Texas.
Grade Requirements
- Students must meet the academic requirements of the DPT Program and the Graduate School throughout their course of study in the DPT Program.
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A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained.
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In accordance with the Graduate School, the School of Physical Therapy limits the number of Cs earned by a student in the DPT program to no more than two (2). If a third C is earned, the student will be dismissed from the DPT program.
-
Students who earn a D or F in a DPT course will be dismissed from the DPT program.
Special Requirements
Health and liability insurance are required each semester the student is enrolled. Clinical internships are required which necessitate additional expenses for the student. Students must abide by additional policies involving clinical internships. Students must successfully complete one semester’s coursework before taking coursework in the next semester. Courses may be repeated only with permission of the Graduate Faculty, Associate Director, and Director of the School of Physical Therapy.
Final Examination
The final examination in the program includes the public defense of a critical inquiry project. This defense may be repeated only upon successful appeal to the Graduate Faculty of the School of Physical Therapy.
Policies
General matriculation guidelines including health insurance, immunizations requirements, drug testing and background checks, policies, procedures, and appeal processes are established by the School and distributed to students upon entry into the program. See the Doctor of Physical Therapy Handbook.
