Physical Therapy DPT Requirements

A student accepted into the Physical Therapy program is expected to abide by the regulations set forth by Arcadia University and the written policies of the Physical Therapy program. For a discussion of the general academic policies and procedures for graduate students, see Graduate Academic Policies and the Arcadia University Student Handbook. The policies of the Physical Therapy program are published in the DPT Student Handbook and Clinical Education Manual, revised annually, and address specifics regarding performance benchmarks that must be met in order to progress through the program.

Essential functions are the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills necessary for a student to participate in the physical therapy program and become a physical therapist. Below are the “Clinical Performance Criteria for the Physical Therapist Student” as outlined in the “Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument for Students” developed by the American Physical Therapy Association.¹ Students must have the physical, mental and emotional capacity, with or without reasonable accommodations, to meet all of the below criteria. These essential functions apply in the classroom, lab, community, and clinical settings as part of the physical therapy program. Independent facilities used for clinical education may or may not be willing or able to provide the same reasonable accommodations provided by the university.

1. Practices according to the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist; demonstrates respect for self, the patient/client, and colleagues in all situations.
2. Practices according to legal and professional standards, including all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management.
3. Accepts and is receptive to feedback; participates in planning and/or self-assessment to improve clinical performance; contributes to the advancement of the clinical setting through educational opportunities; seeks out opportunities to improve knowledge and skills.
4. Demonstrates professional verbal and nonverbal communication with all stakeholders (e.g., patients/clients, caregivers, intra/interprofessional colleagues); adapts to diverse verbal and nonverbal communication styles during patient/client interactions; utilizes communication resources (e.g., translators) as appropriate; incorporates appropriate strategies to engage in challenging encounters with patients/clients and others; facilitates ongoing communication with physical therapist assistants regarding patient/client care.
5. Delivers physical therapy services with consideration for patient/client diversity and inclusivity for all regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, or other characteristics of identity; Provides equitable patient/client care that does not vary in quality based on the patient’s/client’s personal characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, socioeconomic status).
6. Strategically gathers, interprets, and synthesizes information from multiple sources to make effective clinical judgments; applies current knowledge and clinical judgment leading to accurate and efficient evaluations including: selection of examination techniques, diagnosis, prognosis, goals, and plan of care; ensures patient/client safety via medical screening during the episode of care and when making discharge and progression decisions; presents a logical rationale for clinical decisions with all stakeholders (e.g., patients/clients, caregivers, intra/interprofessional colleagues).
7. Performs evidence-based initial and re-examination tests and measures that are relevant to the practice setting; rules out other pathologies and refers to or consults with other healthcare professionals as necessary; evaluates data from the patient/client examination (e.g., history, systems review, tests and measures, screening, and outcome measures) to make clinical decisions, including the determination of a diagnosis to guide future patient/client management.
8. Establishes a physical therapy plan of care that is safe, effective, patient/client-centered, and evidence-based while also considering prognostic factors; adapts plan of care as appropriate by utilizing test and retest measures, outcome measures, and caseload discussions to ensure patients/clients are progressing toward discharge goals.
9. Selects and performs appropriate physical therapy interventions (e.g., therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activity, neuromuscular re-education, application of modalities, manual therapy) that are evidence-based and completed in a competent and efficient manner; consults with interprofessional colleagues as appropriate (e.g., nurse, physician, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, orthotist-prosthetist) to seek advice or an opinion; educates patients/clients and caregivers using multimodal approach based on patient’s/client’s learning style; educates healthcare team on relevant topics by taking an active role in activities (e.g., journal clubs) or in-service opportunities.
10. Produces quality documentation that includes changes in the patient’s/client’s status, descriptions and progressions of specific interventions used, and communication among providers; maintains organization of patient/client documentation.
11. Identifies financial barriers and limitations to patient/client care (e.g., authorization limits, cost to patient); adjusts plan of care and schedule frequency based on the patient’s/client’s financial concerns or needs; understands nuances of insurance including copay, co-insurance, out-of-pocket max, deductible, etc.; appropriately bills patients/clients according to legal guidelines and insurance regulations; demonstrates appropriate understanding of other fiscally responsible behaviors, including time management and appropriate use of clinical supplies and equipment when providing physical therapy services.
12. Actively participates in caseload discussions with interprofessional colleagues to optimize patient/client outcomes; delegates tasks to support staff as appropriate; identifies patient/client complexity model of care when scheduling patients/clients with a physical therapist assistant versus a physical therapist.

Sample behaviors for each of the above performance criteria are available upon request.

¹Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI) 3.0. Alexandria, VA: American Physical Therapy Association. *https://cpi.apta.org/dashboard*. Published May 15, 2023. Accessed June 6, 2023.

© 2023 American Physical Therapy Association. Used with permission.

Fall (22.5 credits)

• PT 607 Intro to PT Theory & Practice 2 credits
• PT 661 Movement System Foundations I: Motion 5 credits
• PT 662 Movement System Foundations II: Force 5 credits
• PT 663 Movement System Foundations III: Energy 5 credits
• PT 664 Movement System Foundations IV: Motor Control 5 credits
• PT 658A Exposure to PT in a Health Care System I .5 credits

Spring (23.5 credits)

• PT 671 Integrated Patient Management I: Acute Musculoskeletal Injury 5 credits
• PT 672 Integrated Patient Management II: Acute Medical Conditions 5 credits
• PT 673 Integrated Patient Management III: Progressive Neurological Conditions 4 credits
• PT 691 Differential Diagnosis & Intervention – Extremity 1 4 credits
• PT 692 Differential Diagnosis & Intervention – Extremity II 5 credits
• PT 658B Exposure to PT in a Health Care System .5 credits

Summer (22 credits)

• PT 761 Movement System: Advanced Analysis & Intervention I 5 credits
• PT 793 Differential Diagnosis & Intervention III: Spine I 5 credits
• PT 794 Differential Diagnosis & Intervention IV: Spine II 5 credits
• PT 737 Clinical Simulation Experiences 3 credits
• PT 774 Integrated Patient Management IV: Chronic Medical Conditions 4 credits

Fall (14 credits)

PT 758 Clinical Education Experience I 4 credits

PT 775 Integrated Patient Management V: Non-progression Neurologic Conditions 5 credits

PT 795 Differential Diagnosis & Intervention V: Pain 5 credits

Spring (22 credits)

PT 824 Management Leadership Principles in a PT Setting 3 credits

PT 862 Movement System: Advanced Analysis & Intervention II 5 credits

PT 835 Enhancing Activity & Participation 5 credits

PT 846 Health Promotion 2 credits

PT 787 Experiential Learning 1 credit

PT 858 Clinical Education Experience II 6 credits

Summer (6 credits)

PT 859 Clinical Education Experience III 6 credits

• PT 887A Independent Study- Research
• PT 887B Independent Study- International Pro Bono Experiences