Curriculum and sample calendars

PHYT 7101 Human Anatomy I
This course expands foundational knowledge of gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. Explores clinical application of embryology, histology, and joint structure and function and the forces that affect human movement across the lifespan of the axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton and associated anatomy. Laboratory experiences include 3D anatomy software, living/surface anatomy, synthetic human anatomical models, and cadaver prosections. This course addresses the content of the anatomical regions, including the skull, head, spine, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and upper and lower extremity. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

PHYT 7103 Human Physiology
This course explores the physiology and pathophysiology of the cellular, integumentary, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems. Studies medical physiologic principles necessary for physical activity and the associated effects of physical activity on health and wellness across the lifespan. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

PHYT 7104 Clinical Neuroscience for the PT
This course presents an in-depth analysis of neural, muscular, and skeletal factors that influence pain and movement in health and disease. Students review the organization of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems with a more functional emphasis. Normal peripheral and central nervous system function and the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders are presented. Neural control of movement and functional force development is discussed in detail with emphasis on muscle activation in health and disease. Students will complete a 6-module online American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) course to accurately classify spinal cord injury according to international standards. Certification in the ASIA examination is an option for students. Lab activities emphasize central nervous system screening

and an introduction to balance assessment tools, common outcome measures, and a comprehensive neurologic examination. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 1 courses

PHYT 7105 Pharmacology for the PT
This course introduces pharmacologic principles, the study of prescription and/or over-the-counter medications use in the management of a variety of patient conditions encountered during physical therapy management, and their impact on patient management across the lifespan. The impact of medications on patient presentations, timing of rehabilitation sessions, and physical therapy outcomes are emphasized. Content included cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, urogenital, rheumatologic, and integumentary systems. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 1 courses

PHYT 7201 Physical Therapy Fundamentals
This course is designed to prepare the student for patient care activities including patient-centered communication, assessing vital signs, body mechanics awareness, patient positioning and draping, transfers, assistive device training, and basic exercise. Learners will be introduced to fundamental physical therapy skills for various clinical settings and a patient management framework used throughout the curriculum. Psychomotor skills that are foundational to examination and evaluation are introduced, including vital signs, goniometry, range of motion, muscle testing, and anthropometric measures. Students will begin to develop patient interview and documentation skills, perform examination tests and measures, and use standardized patient outcome measures. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

PHYT 7202 Movement Science
This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of movement science, offers a framework for understanding normal and abnormal movement, and includes concepts of kinesiology, neuroscience, physiology, motor control, and motor learning. The course will integrate theory and basic principles of motor behavior, motor development, motor control, and motor learning as they relate to human motor performance and gait across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the integration of theory, structured movement analyses of activities performed in daily life, and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model to inform clinical decision making in physical therapist practice. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

PHYT 7203 Therapeutic Interventions I
This course integrates musculoskeletal biomechanical principles to joint structure and function, movement analysis, and therapeutic interventions. Introduces the principles and application of therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and selected physical agents for the management of patients with pain and mobility impairments. Utilizes current evidence and clinical decision-making principles to emphasize appropriate selection, instruction, and progression of interventions. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

PHYT 7204 Therapeutic Interventions II
This course introduces the principles and application of selected physical agents for the management of patients with pain and tissue injury while addressing impairments related to

mobility, strength, and motor control. Integrates current evidence and clinical decision-making to emphasize appropriate selection, instruction, and progression of interventions. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PHYT 7203 Therapeutic Interventions I

PHYT 7205 Health Promotion & Fitness Mgt
This course introduces prevention health, wellness, and fitness as they relate to injury prevention, nutritional influences, fitness testing, and exercise prescription in a healthy population. Students develop injury prevention and exercise programs based on test results and adapt the execution to specific healthy populations using appropriate clinical procedures. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 1 courses

PHYT 7206 Advanced Therapeutic Interventions
This course expands on the students’ management of patients with movement system dysfunctions including techniques related to spinal stabilization, movement impairments, and soft tissue dysfunction. Interventions include a progression of contemporary therapeutic exercise including but not limited to manual therapy skills. Emphasis will be placed on analysis and integration of current best evidence into the patient’s plan of care. Lab activities include case scenarios to challenge clinical reasoning for the progression of comprehensive treatment plans. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 4 courses

PHYT 7207 Integrative Pain Sciences
This course provides an overview of managing people with chronic pain syndromes associated with neuromusculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors using emerging and contemporary concepts of pain assessment, treatment, and outcomes. This course builds on the previous courses within the curriculum on the pain management domains and core competencies that were integrated within the body systems. Built from contemporary models, this course reflects the interprofessional consensus of core competencies for prelicensure health professions education in patient management. This course emphasizes the core knowledge necessary for offering best care of patients and provides integrated interprofessional discussion on comprehensive pain management designed to improve patient outcomes. Approved for distance learning. Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 4 courses

PHYT 7301 Evidence-based Practice I
This course introduces the foundation to general research and evidence-based principles by exploring research methodologies and outcome measures used in health care. It also introduces elements of applied research design and statistics that foster students to become intelligent consumers of scientific literature. Introduces foundational concepts of scientific inquiry for clinicians with creating clinical questions, searches appropriate literature sources, and assesses the evidence quality. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 1 courses

PHYT 7401 Musculoskeletal Practice I
Initiates the clinical application of biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles for musculoskeletal dysfunction of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip regions. Concentrates on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise in a patient-centered approach across the lifespan. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 1 courses

PHYT 7402 Musculoskeletal Practice II
Explores the clinical application of biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles for musculoskeletal dysfunction of the lower extremities. Concentrates on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise in a patient-centered approach across the lifespan. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PHYT 7401 Musculoskeletal Practice I

PHYT 7403 Musculoskeletal Practice III
Explores the clinical application of biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles for musculoskeletal dysfunction of the cervicothoracic region. Concentrates on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise in a patient-centered approach across the lifespan. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PHYT 7402 Musculoskeletal Practice II

PHYT 7404 Musculoskeletal Practice IV
Explores the clinical application of biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles for musculoskeletal dysfunction of the upper extremities. Concentrates on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise in a patient-centered approach across the lifespan. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PHYT 7403 Musculoskeletal Practice III

PHYT 7405 Bracing, Prosthetics, and Orthotics
This course takes students through common orthotics and braces utilized in physical therapy practice. Functional and surgical anatomy of lower limb amputations and conditions requiring lower quarter orthotic and prosthetic intervention are presented. Lab activities emphasize gait analysis, movement analysis, residual limb management, orthotics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation of patients with amputations. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 1 courses

PHYT 7406 Neuromuscular Practice I
Studies the management of individuals with neurologic health conditions, with emphasis on stroke, based on neurophysiological and patho-kinesiological mechanisms that result in movement system impairments in body structure/function, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Emphasizes the application and integration of motor control/learning, theoretical constructs, evidence-based practice, and the patient/client management model. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 2 courses

PHYT 7407 Neuromuscular Practice II
Continues the study of the management of individuals with neurological health conditions, with emphasis on spinal cord injury, brain injury, vestibular disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neuromuscular disorders, and central nervous system cancers. Emphasizes the application and integration of the movement system, motor control/learning, theoretical constructs, evidence-based practice, and the patient/client management model. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PHYT 7406 Neuromuscular Practice I

PHYT 7408 PT Management of the Aging Adult
Introduces the physiologic changes of aging and sociologic and economic consequences of an aging population. Reviews natural aging processes and how complicating factors such as vascular compromise, fall risk, and comorbidities negatively impact the aging adult. Lab activities focus patient management skills on the aging adult patient. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 2 courses

PHYT 7409 Cardiopulmonary Practice
This course explores the management of patients with cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary causes of movement system dysfunction across a variety of clinical settings. Lab activities include, but are not limited to, ECG analysis, exercise testing, heart and lung auscultation, lung function testing, and chest examinations. Case discussions are presented to enhance communication, safety, patient management skills, and discharge planning. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 2 courses

PHYT 7410 PT Management of Pediatric Patients
Presents fundamental concepts for the physical therapy management of children with musculoskeletal, neurological, and/or cardiopulmonary impairments. A framework of normal development and again from birth to young adulthood serves as a course foundation. Topics include developmental delay and disability, family-centered use, advocacy, and assistive technologies. Approved for distance learning. Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 3 courses

PHYT 7411 PT Management of Complex Patients
Introduces patient management strategies for the medically complex patient. Community-based strategies and outpatient management for patients with primary disease or comorbidities of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, oncologic, lymphatic, and integumentary systems is emphasized. Student will design individual and community-based interventions for effective disease management. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 3 courses

PHYT 7412 Advanced Diagnostics for the PT
Integrates concepts of advanced diagnostic testing and imaging of the major systems of the body regions related to physical therapy practice. Specific content reviews diagnostic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, radiographs, and the interpretation of medical

diagnostic tests. Rationales and guidelines for examination selection are discussed. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 3 courses

PHYT 7413 Primary Care for the PT
This course explores the physical therapist's role as an interdependent practitioner working within a collaborative medical model. Presenting the clinical tools and decision-making processes necessary to more efficiently and effectively collect, evaluate, and communicate examination data while promoting differential diagnostic principles and clinical decision-making. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 4 courses

PHYT 7501 Professional Competencies I
Introduces students to professional roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist in healthcare. Integrates emotional/social intelligence, concepts of flourishing, learning theories, learning styles, characteristics of learners through the lifespan, and literacy and communication issues for patients. Prepares students for the professional curriculum and clinical practice as life-long learners. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

PHYT 7502 Professional Competencies II
Prepares students professionally and emotionally for clinical practice, as a lifelong learner and educator in the physical therapy profession. Explores major forms of health care delivery and how they interact with physical therapy services, including but not limited to, medical ethics, health care regulations, and risk management strategies. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 5 courses

PHYT 7503 Mindful Patient Management
Studies the professional roles physical therapists need for culturally competent interactions with patients, healthcare team members, and society. Applies the principles of "mindful practice," motivational interviewing, and empathetic caring into the patient care setting. Students use patient scenarios to practice, self-access, and self-reflect on interviewing skills. Approved for distance learning. Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 2 courses

PHYT 7504 Business Mgt & Entrepreneurship
Provides an overview of practice management fundamentals and applies principles to various aspects of leadership and personal development, strategic planning, and business operations. Students gain knowledge in health care management, leadership, strategic planning, human resources, finance, organizational structures, and fiscal management as it relates to physical therapy practice. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 4 courses

PHYT 7910 Capstone
This course integrates and applies cumulative knowledge gained from all previous didactic courses and clinical internship experiences. Throughout this course, students will be engaged in reflective practice in three main areas including integration of content learned through the curriculum, direct application relative to patients managed in the clinical experiences, and professional growth since commencing their DPT education. Students will also articulate how

they will uphold the 8 core values for physical therapists as outline by the American Physical Therapy Association. Finally, students develop a plan of study for the National Physical Therapy License Exam. Approved for distance learning.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 5 courses

PHYT 7971 Physical Therapy Practice I
This first clinical education course is a full-time eight-week clinical experience that develops student examination, evaluation, and intervention skills supervised by a licensed physical therapist in a clinical setting. Student apply interpersonal communication, professional socialization, and clinical reasoning skills interacting with patients/clients, family, and the healthcare team.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 3 courses and demonstrated readiness for clinical education as determined by faculty

PHYT 7972 Physical Therapy Practice II
This second clinical education course is a full-time eight-week clinical experience that progresses student examination, evaluation, and intervention skills supervised by a licensed physical therapist in a clinical setting. Students refine interpersonal communication and professional socialization skills interacting with patients/clients, family, and the healthcare team. Emerging emphasis on evidence-based patient management and clinical reasoning skills as an adult learner and medical professional.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester 4 courses and demonstrated readiness for clinical education as determined by faculty

PHYT 7973 Physical Therapy Practice III
This third clinical education course is a full-time fourteen-week clinical experience that advances the student to entry-level patient management skills, supervised by a licensed physical therapist in a clinical setting. Students master interpersonal communication and professional socialization skills interacting with patients/clients, family, and the healthcare team. Adept emphasis on evidence-based patient management and clinical reasoning skills as an adult learner and medical professional.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of PHYT 7972 Physical Therapy Practice