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Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The University of Saint Mary offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which prepares students to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and seek State licensure as a physical therapist. States may have different required qualifications for licensee applicants. Although the DPT program at the University of Saint Mary prepares students to take the NPTE, it is the student’s responsibility to pass that examination.

Program Outcomes

Graduate Goals:

Goal 1: Graduates will be prepared to practice physical therapy as autonomous practitioners at entry-level competencies consistent with the professional standards.

Faculty Goals:

Goal 1: The faculty will teach in their area of expertise and continue professional development and growth in innovative pedagogical methods.

Goal 2: The faculty will engage in evidence-based practice and scholarly accomplishments.

Program Goals:

Goal 1: The program will prepare physical therapists who demonstrate excellence in physical therapy through teaching, research, and service.

Goal 2: The program will promote interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate professional collaboration.

Goal 3: The program will engage in advocacy and leadership within the profession.

Prerequisite Courses for Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Admission into the Physical Therapy Program is competitive. Completion of the listed prerequisites does not guarantee admission into the program. Prerequisites are subject to change without notice.

  • Statistics (one semester required)
    • USM Examples: MA 230 or MA 437
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: Courses that include the use of computer statistical packages are preferred
  • Physics I and II (two semesters are required with laboratory)
    • USM Examples: PHY 215 and PHY 216
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: Physics I and Physics II courses
  • Chemistry (two semesters required with laboratory at a level of Chemistry I and II or higher)
    • USM Examples: CH 220 and CH 221
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: Chemistry I and II courses.
  • Psychology (two semesters required)
    • USM Examples: PY 150, PY 255, PY 290, PY 335, PY 352
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: Introductory Psychology, Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence, Aging: Issues and Perspectives, Abnormal Psychology, Professional Ethics
  • Biology (two semesters required)
    • USM Examples: BI 200, BI 212 or BI 220
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: General Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Zoology, Forensic Biology, Molecular Biology, Embryology, Genetics, Histology, Immunology
  • Human or Vertebrate Anatomy (one semester required with laboratory)
    • USM Examples: BI 258 and BI 259
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: Human Anatomy, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Mammalian Anatomy
    • NOTE: Exercise Physiology does NOT meet this requirement
    • NOTE: 6 credit hours combined human anatomy/physiology course (with laboratory) will fulfill both the anatomy and physiology requirements
  • Human or Vertebrate Physiology (one semester required with laboratory)
    • USM Examples: BI 258 and BI 259
    • Courses that Would Fulfill the Requirement: Human Physiology, Mammalian Physiology
    • NOTE: Exercise Physiology does NOT meet this requirement
    • NOTE: 6 credit hours combined human anatomy/physiology course (with laboratory) will fulfill both the anatomy and physiology requirements

Note: Questions about prerequisite course requirements should be directed to DPT@stmary.edu

Class Size and Curriculum

Each class of students is a cohort group, consisting of approximately 40-44 students each year. Class starts with orientation during the last week in May or the first week of June. The curriculum for cohorts beginning June 2020 and after consists of 109 credit hours and the program length is 8 semesters.

Overview of the DPT Curriculum Sequentially by Semesters

Summer Year 1 (8 crs)

DPT 650Human Imaging I

1
DPT 651Foundational PT Skills

3
DPT 652Clinical Human Anatomy I

2
DPT 653Research Methodology

2

Fall 1 Year 1 (11 crs)

DPT 660Biomechanics and Kinesiology

3
DPT 661Human Imaging II

1
DPT 662Professional Development I

2
DPT 663PT Interventions I

2
DPT 664Clinical Human Anatomy II

2
DPT 684Research Practicum I

1
DPT 684: Sections A-J

Fall 2 Year 1 (9 crs)

DPT 670Multidisciplinary Care

2
DPT 671Neuroanatomy

2
DPT 672Assessment Skills

3
DPT 673Research Statistics

2

Spring 1 Year 1 (9 crs)

DPT 680Professional Development II

2
DPT 681Musculoskeletal I

2
DPT 682Pathophysiology

3
DPT 683Clinical Human Anatomy Lab

1
DPT 694Research Practicum II

1

DPT 694: Sections A-J

Spring 2 Year 1 (9 crs)

DPT 690PT Interventions II

2
DPT 691Musculoskeletal II

2
DPT 692Neuroscience

2
DPT 693Exercise Physiology

2
DPT 695Comp Exam Year I

0
DPT 754Research Practicum III

1

DPT 754: Sections A-J

Summer Year 2 (10 crs)

DPT 750Geriatrics

2
DPT 751Musculoskeletal III

2
DPT 752Neurological Rehab I

3
DPT 753Pharmacology

2
DPT 764Research Practicum IV

1

DPT 764: Sections A-J

Fall 1 Year 2 (9 crs)

DPT 760Cardiopulmonary I

2
DPT 761Neurological Rehab II

3
DPT 762Pediatrics I

3
DPT 763Differential Diagnosis

1

Fall 2 Year 2 (12 crs)

DPT 770Cardiopulmonary II and Lymphatics

2
DPT 771Orthotics, Prosthetics and Assistive Technologies

2
DPT 772Pediatrics II

2
DPT 773Integumentary

2
DPT 774Administration and Management

3
DPT 775Research Practicum V

1

DPT 775: Sections A-J

Spring Year 2

DPT 785Comp Exam

0

Spring 1 Year 2 (8 crs)

DPT 780Professional Development III

1
DPT 781Management of Complex Cases

2
DPT 782Nutrition, Wellness and Patient Education

2
DPT 784Research Defense

1
 
Choose one of the following:
DPT 783Elective

2
DPT 786Elective: Spinal Mobilization

2
DPT 787Elective: Sports Medicine

2
DPT 788Elective: Vestibular

2
DPT 789Elective: Pediatrics

2

Spring 2 Year 2 (6 crs)

DPT 790Clinical Experience I

6

Summer Year 3 (6 crs)

DPT 785Comp Exam

0
DPT 850Clinical Experience II

6

Fall Year 3

DPT 785Comp Exam

0

Fall 1 Year 3 (6 crs)

DPT 860Clinical Experience III

6

Fall 2 Year 3 (6 crs)

DPT 870Clinical Experience IV

6

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits are allowed only under unusual circumstances. For more information, contact the Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director (913-758-4398).

Assessments

Multiple types of assessments are used throughout the curriculum. All aspects of the program are subject to assessment to maintain excellence.

Admission Requirements

General requirements for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program are specified on the University of Saint Mary DPT homepage. Application for the DPT program is through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is competitive and based on a variety of factors that are explained at our application site (www.ptcas.org).

There are several admissions requirements in addition to completing the prerequisite courses. For more information go to the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), (http://www.ptcas.org/home.aspx), and select the University of Saint Mary from the Program Directory. You should also look at our website (http://www.stmary.edu/dpt) 

Licensure

Licensure requires graduation from an accredited DPT school and passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. Having a criminal record can affect whether you can practice physical therapy.

Program Status

The Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Saint Mary is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy Program directly, please call 913-758-4398 or email dpt@stmary.edu