PT - Physical Therapy

An introductory course where students will develop physical therapy clinical skills. Content includes patient handling techniques including positioning and draping, surface anatomy palpation, vital signs and gait training with the use of assistive devices. Basic medical terminology, communication, proper body mechanics and safety are also introduced.

This course focuses on the principles and application of therapeutic exercise interventions used to address impairments. Emphasis is placed on designing, implementing, and modifying individualized exercise programs that enhance patient function through motor learning, peripheral joint mobilizations, range of motion and flexibility, muscle performance, aerobic conditioning, gait, balance, and functional interventions.

This course covers the theory, clinical techniques, and the evidence behind the use of common physical agents in physical therapy, including electrotherapy, thermal and non-thermal modalities, and massage. The course also addresses physical therapy management of wound and burn care and the use of individualized therapeutic exercise interventions to improve patient outcomes.

This one-credit course surrounds the basic structure and function of loose and dense connective tissues, bone, articular cartilage, muscle and nerve. It will address how these tissues function under normal and pathological conditions and the implications for physical therapy. The course will also prepare the student to read and interpret the medical and scientific literature relative to histology and clinical practice.

The first class in a series of lectures designed to acquaint the student with the clinical areas related to pathological conditions frequently encountered in physical therapy practice. The course develops an understanding of health models, disease processes and highlights common pathologies by body system central to the care of the patient.

This course is designed to acquaint the student with medical aspects and pathological conditions associated with musculoskeletal disorders and surgical procedures involving the musculoskeletal system with a subunit related to cancer.

This foundational course helps students understand the physiological principles that underlie exercise and movement as they relate to physical therapy practice. Students will describe how the cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, endocrine, and neuromuscular systems respond and adapt to exercise and aging. Emphasis is placed on utilizing physiological data such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen consumption, muscle strength and activation, and EKG findings to guide safe and effective exercise prescription.

A beginning course in patient examination skills which focuses on musculoskeletal examination of range of motion (i.e., goniometry), manual muscle testing, reflex and sensation testing, edema testing, history and interview skills, and introduction to gait and posture examination.

This course builds upon PT 640 with the focus on gait, posture, and musculoskeletal examination/evaluation. Emphasis will be on examination tests and measures, orthopedic special tests, and beginning differential diagnosis.

This course introduces students to the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills necessary for effective patient care across diverse practice settings, with an emphasis on basic musculoskeletal conditions. Through interactive case studies, simulations, and guided reflection, students learn to systematically evaluate and manage patients using evidence-based frameworks for clinical decision making. This course emphasizes the integration of foundational sciences with movement analysis, patient examination, and outcome assessment. Students will begin developing the ability to synthesize subjective and objective findings, generate differential diagnoses within the scope of physical therapy practice, and design safe, effective, and patient-centered intervention plans.

This course equips students with the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills necessary for effective patient care across diverse practice settings, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions. Through interactive case studies, simulations, and guided reflection, students learn to systematically evaluate and manage patients using evidence-based frameworks for clinical decision making. This course emphasizes the integration of foundational sciences with movement analysis, patient examination, and outcome assessment. Students continue to develop the ability to synthesize subjective and objective findings, generate differential diagnoses within the scope of physical therapy practice, and design safe, effective, and patient-centered intervention plans.

This course introduces the biomechanical principles of human movement with emphasis on the upper extremity, lower extremity, and spine. Students will learn joint kinematics, kinetics, and muscle actions underlying normal movement, posture, and gait. Foundational concepts include force, torque, levers, and mechanical advantage as they apply to human motion. The course also introduces abnormal and pathological gait mechanics to prepare students for clinical application in movement analysis.

This course applies biomechanical principles to the quantitative and qualitative analysis of human movement, posture, and balance. Students examine the mechanical and physiological bases of stability and mobility across the lifespan, emphasizing fall risk assessment and prevention. Through lectures and laboratory experiences, students will analyze torque, joint reaction forces, and postural control using tools such as force plates, motion analysis systems, and electromyography. Emphasis is placed on interpreting biomechanical data to inform evidence-based clinical decision-making and intervention planning for functional movement and balance rehabilitation.

This first full-time clinical education experience begins at the end of the first academic year of the program and is designed to permit progressive responsibility in patient evaluation and treatment based upon material learned in classes during the first year.

Advanced study of selected topics.

Neuroscience I is the first in a series of courses that provide the student with an understanding of integrated neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Emphasis will be placed upon basic neurophysiologic principles at the cellular level.

Neuroscience II is the second course in the sequence. From the foundation of Neuroscience I, the course will build to the progressively higher order of structural functional relationships that control behavior.

This is the first in a series of courses that prepare the graduate to critically analyze and use scientific literature to improve clinical decision-making and practice. This course introduces the terminology and strategies of evidence-based practice applied to physical therapy. It emphasizes the basic concepts such as research design, measurement principles and basic statistics.

This course is a continuation of the graduate's preparation to practice critical analysis skills related to scientific literature. Its emphasis is placed on creating the components of research reports and concepts associated with judging the quality and value of research. Students will complete a systematic review of the literature.

This is third in a series of four courses in which the student will develop entry-level professional analytical skills in the area of evaluation and treatment with emphasis in the area of orthopedics. This course will expand on the knowledge from spring semester and summer clinical experiences. Teaching methods will include lecture, lab experiences, patient case studies, and demonstrations.

This is the fourth in a series of Theory and Practice courses designed to prepare the student to achieve entry-level skills in analysis and management in acute care, the adult client with neurologic dysfunction, and rehabilitation following limb amputation. The course integrates the theoretical aspects of neurologic physical therapy with the development of cognitive and psychomotor clinical skills. Practice laboratories, demonstrations, use of audiovisual aids, lectures, laboratory assignments and projects are used to facilitate learning.

This course is designed to emphasize modules in pharmacology, management of chronic pain, functional capacity evaluations, work conditioning, clinical electrophysiology and imaging.

The fourth clinical science course is designed to provide the learner with the foundation to apply clinical science knowledge about an underlying injury or disease to design and implement the appropriate physical therapy care plan for pathologies seen in physical therapy practice. This course focuses on pathologies seen in the acute care environment, pathologies of the nervous system and limb amputations.

This course develops the clinical reasoning, examination, and decision-making skills necessary for evaluating patients across the continuum of care, with emphasis on special populations. Patient cases include individuals with amputations; cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions; neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and vestibular dysfunction; and medically complex patients in the acute care setting. The course builds on foundational evaluation knowledge and integrates musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems to support comprehensive patient management.

The course equips students with the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills necessary for effective patient care across diverse practice settings, with an emphasis on higher complexity musculoskeletal conditions and incorporation of psychosocial aspects of patient care, including determinants of health. Through interactive case studies, simulations, and guided reflection, students learn to systematically evaluate and manage patients using evidence-based frameworks for clinical decision making. This course emphasizes the integration of foundational sciences with movement analysis, patient examination, and outcome assessment. Students will develop the ability to synthesize subjective and objective findings, generate differential diagnoses within the scope of physical therapy practice, and design safe, effective, and patient-centered intervention plans.

This course allows students to integrate the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills necessary for effective patient care across diverse practice settings with multi-complex patient conditions. Through interactive case studies, simulations, and guided reflection, students learn to systematically evaluate and manage patients using evidence-based frameworks for clinical decision making. This course emphasizes the integration of foundational sciences with movement analysis, patient examination, and outcome assessment. Students will expand on their ability to synthesize subjective and objective findings, generate differential diagnoses within the scope of physical therapy practice, and design safe, effective, and patient-centered intervention plans.

This course prepares students to achieve entry-level competence in the pathology, examination, and management of pediatric clients across a wide range of diagnoses. Students will explore typical and atypical development, standardized outcome measures, assessment techniques, and evidence-based interventions. Learning experiences include lectures, practice laboratories, demonstrations, experiential learning, assignments, and projects all designed to integrate clinical pathology with practical application in pediatric physical therapy.

This second full-time clinical education experience occurs between the second and third academic years of the program and is designed to permit progressive responsibility in patient evaluation and treatment based upon material learned in classes during the first and second years.

This third full-time clinical education experience occurs following the final academic semester of the program and is designed to promote the development of an autonomous professional through the synthesis and application of clinical problem solving and clinical reasoning skills. Students will achieve entry-level clinical and administrative practice skills.

This course focuses on the psychological and socioemotional elements associated with injury, illness, disability, and chronic conditions. The course emphasizes the profound impact psychosocial factors have on patient outcomes and well-being before, during, and after physical therapy. Students will examine societal and personal perspectives, engage in reflection, and apply current evidence to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to foster therapeutic alliances, address contextual barriers to care, and promote person-centered care.

This course addresses physical therapy management of special populations through integrated lectures, collaborative learning activities, and lab sessions including community-based experiences. Emphasis is placed on health promotion across the lifespan, consideration of social determinants of health, and application of the 4Ms framework in patient care. The course reinforces interprofessional education through incorporation of the IPEC core competencies, including values and ethics, interprofessional communication, teamwork, and roles and responsibilities in working with various patient populations.

This course is designed to provide the physical therapy student with a review of the principles and practices of managing and administering physical therapy in various clinical settings. The course stresses the principles of management administration in patient care in clinical environments.

This course is for the identification, analysis, and discussion of issues currently facing the physical therapy profession. The issues focus on the ethical questions as well as the role relationships of physical therapists in the greater health care delivery system of the United States.

This course is designed to meet the needs for patient instruction, education within the classroom and clinic, and peer continuing education. The focus of the course is on clear communication in the teaching/learning process.

Students will pick from a variety of clinical specialty practice, service learning or research topics to explore in a small group setting.

This seminar integrates foundational and clinical sciences in the analysis of patient-centered clinical problems to support diagnostic decision making and develop next-step plans in care. Students develop an individual case study from a prior clinical experience, obtain consent, collect relevant data, and prepare an abstract, conference poster, and long form platform presentation highlighting their clinical reasoning. Key themes and diagnostic concepts explored throughout the course are applied in a culminating assessment using a common set of patient cases.

This course is a continuation of the Scientific Inquiry series and is designed to advance students’ skills in critical inquiry, clinical reasoning, peer feedback, and reflective thinking. Building on prior coursework, students focus on the dissemination of research through the development and communication of scholarly work derived from their systematic review. Students write a scientific paper, prepare a poster and a presentation as a group, and submit their work to state or national conferences. The course emphasizes the skills needed to analyze, integrate, and synthesize peer-reviewed research to advance the evidence base of the physical therapy profession.

The purpose of this course is to challenge the student to interact with other health professionals in making patient care decisions.

Research topics.

This course will expose interprofessional students to current trends in health promotion and illness prevention. Topics will include: Healthy People 2020 objectives, age specific clinical guidelines for health promotion and illness prevention, theories on behavior and motivation, sociocultural issues, and screening for a variety of health problems. Measures for promoting and maintaining health throughout the lifespan will be explored with attention to current research from the literature.

Students will pick from a variety of clinical specialty practice, service learning or research topics to explore in a small group setting.