Curriculum
The entry level DPT curriculum is based on the problem-solving approach to PT clinical practice. It consists of nine semesters and is three years in length. Didactic education includes classroom and laboratory instruction to learn and practice procedures on classmates. This is integrated with four clinical education experiences in a wide variety of clinical settings. Simulated and real patient cases are presented in lecture and lab to prepare students for their clinical experiences.
Vacation breaks of one to three weeks are scheduled at the end of each semester in addition to a one-week spring break in Semesters II and IV.
The DPTE program affiliates with over 300 clinical facilities nationwide. Clinical education experiences may be selected from those facilities that are available at any given time and that meet the clinical settings required.
Western University DPT students receive the didactic portion of their education in modern laboratories and lecture halls, equipped with the most up-to-date scientific equipment and learning resources. In addition, Western University opened a new library and learning resource center that is hardwired with the latest in information technology.
Western University DPT students receive the didactic portion of their education in modern laboratories and lecture halls, equipped with the most up-to-date scientific equipment and learning resources. In addition, Western University opened a new library and learning resource center that is hardwired with the latest in information technology.
The curriculum is structured as follows
Year 1 – Semester I (18 weeks)
- PT 5000 Psychosocial and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (3 units)
- PT 5030 Anatomy I (4 units)
- PT 5050 Kinesiology I (3 units)
- PT 5070 Patient Care Skills (3 units)
- PT 5100 Physiology and Pathophysiology (5 units)
- PT 5130 Research Methodology in Health Care (3 units)
- IPE 5000 Patient Centered Cases I-An Interprofessional Approach (1 unit)
total 22 units
Year 1 – Semester II (19 weeks)
- PT 5035 Anatomy II (4 units)
- PT 5055 Kinesiology II (5 units)
- PT 5015 Professional and Practice Issues in Physical Therapy (3 units)
- PT 5075 Physical Agents and Procedures (3 units)
- PT 5140 Evidence Based Practice:Application of Research to Clinical Practice (3 units)
- PT 5141 Professional Development and Reflective Practice (1 unit)
- PT 5230 Screening for Medical Referral I (2 units)
- PT 8100 Introduction to Pharmacology for Physical Therapists (1 unit)
- IPE 5100 Patient Centered Cases II-An Interprofessional Approach (1 unit)
- PT 7100 Clinical Education I (1 unit)
total 24 units
Year 1 – Semester III (9 weeks)
- PT 5120 Human Life Sequences (2 units)
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PT 5215 Motor Control and Motor Learning (2 units)
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PT 5233 Foundations of Patient Examination (2 units)
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PT 5235 Screening for Medical Referral II (2 units)
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PT 8110 Structural Imaging in Physical Therapy Diagnosis-Musculoskeletal (2 units)
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PT 8400 Capstone Project (1 unit)
total 11 units
Year 2 – Semester IV (18 weeks)
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PT 5205 Examination and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction I (5 units)
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PT 6008 Neuroscience (5 units)
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PT 6030 Physiological Basis of Therapeutic Exercise (4 units)
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PT 6040 Evaluation and Treatment of Problems of the Cardiopulmonary System (4 units)
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PT 6060 Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Gait (3 units)
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PT 6630 Structural Imaging in Physical Therapy Diagnosis-Neuro (1 unit)
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IPE 6000 Team Training in Healthcare I (1 unit)
total 23 units
Year 2 – Semester V (18 weeks)
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PT 5142 Professional Development and Clinical Education (1 unit)
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PT 5210 Examination and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction II (5 units)
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PT 5220 Principles of Teaching, Learning, and Communication (2 units)
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PT 6010 Examination and Management of Neurological Disorders I (5 units)
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PT 6045 Differential Diagnosis of the Integumentary System/Wound Care (2 units)
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PT 6065 Patient Care Skills II (2 units)
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PT 6075 Prevention and Management of Problems in the Pediatric Population (4 units)
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IPE 6100 Team Training in Healthcare II (1 unit)
total 22 units
Year 2 – Semester VI (12 weeks)
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PT 7020 Clinical Education II (6 units)
total 6 units
YEAR 3 – SEMESTER VII (18 WEEKS)
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PT 5143 Professional Development and Clinical Practice (1 unit)
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PT 6015 Examination and Management of Neurological Disorders II (5 units)
- PT 6020 Electrotherapeutic Principles (2 units)
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PT 6050 Principles of Administration and Management (3 units)
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PT 6070 Prevention and Management of Problems in the Aging Adult (3 units)
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PT 6090 Differential Diagnosis and Management of the Complex Patient (3 units)
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PT 8401 Capstone Project II (3 units)
total 20 units
YEAR 3 – SEMESTER VIII (12 WEEKS)
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PT 7030 Clinical Education III (6 units)
total 6 units
YEAR 3 – SEMESTER IX (17 WEEKS)
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PT 7040 Clinical Education IV (6 units)
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PT 8402 Capstone Project III (1 unit)
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PT 8500 Selected Topics (2 units)
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PT 8600 Community Service (2 units)
total 11 units