Degree Requirements
The Degree Requirements Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (TDPT) program are as follows:
- U.S.-educated Physical Therapists
- Internationally-educated Physical Therapists can choose from one of these options based on individual needs:
The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and addresses core competencies to enrich the practice of physical therapy. The program is entirely online. Most courses include both synchronous (i.e., all students participate at a specific date and time) and asynchronous (i.e., on your own time) components. Students are only required to take 1 course per semester, but many take up to 3.
Students can start any semester. Most courses can be taken in any order, with the following exceptions:
- PT 505 Clinical Decision Making must be taken before the Clinical Practice Series courses.
- PT 702 Case Analysis is designed as a capstone-like experience, and must be taken last.
Students with professional experience and/or coursework in certain areas may request waivers for up to 6 of these credits (3 courses, indicated in the course description below) by submitting a portfolio documenting their experience. Detailed instructions are included in the acceptance packet. Students submitting a portfolio will be charged a $200 portfolio review fee.
Students must maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average to remain in good academic standing. Failure to maintain this may lead to dismissal from the program.
The curriculum consists of Core Courses and the Clinical Practice Series. All courses are 2 credits.
Curriculum
Core Courses (all are required)
- PT 504 Teaching Methods (2 credits) Required course for which a waiver is possible (note the course waiver is not guaranteed).
- PT 505 Clinical Decision Making (2 credits)
- PT 508 Medical Screening (2 credits)
- PT 547 Health Promotion (2 credits)
- PT 555 Pharmacology (2 credits)
- PT 556 Diagnostic Imaging (2 credits)
- PT 656 Neuromuscular Tissues and Motor Control (2 credits) Required course for which a waiver is possible (note the course waiver is not guaranteed).
- PT 702 Case Analysis (2 credits)
Additional courses required of internationally-educated therapists
- PT 503 Ethics and Law (2 credits) Required course for which a waiver is possible (note the course waiver is not guaranteed).
- PT 528 Health Care Systems (2 credits) Required course for which a waiver is possible (note the course waiver is not guaranteed).
Clinical Practice Series (One course required for 18 and 22 credit pathways, all courses required for 30 credit pathway)
The Clinical Practice Series courses emphasize recent advances in a particular specialty area of physical therapy practice. Physical Therapists with specialty certification or significant post-professional training in their area of practice may request a waiver via portfolio submission (see “Portfolio Review/Course Waiver” criteria below). The content in these courses reinforces and reflects principles taught in PT 505 Clinical Decision Making, which is a pre-requisite; however, emphasis is placed on specific recommendations for clinical management (i.e. content rather than process). Each course emphasizes a clinical reasoning process, use of appropriate tests and measures, use of appropriate interventions, and the most relevant outcome measures.
- PT 705 Orthopedic Physical Therapy (2 credits)
- PT 706 Neurologic Physical Therapy (2 credits)
- PT 707 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy (2 credits)
- PT 708 Geriatric Physical Therapy (2 credits)
- PT 709 Pediatric Physical Therapy Practice (2 credits)
Options for Non-degree Seeking Students
Non-degree seeking students are eligible to take up to three of the 2 credit courses, in addition to the 0.5 credit modules linked below.
All 2 credit courses taken for credentialing may apply towards degree completion after formal application and acceptance into the program. Tuition paid toward the 2 credit courses prior to admission will be deducted from the overall package price (University fees are not included).
- 2 credit courses
- 0.5 credit modules (PT686A Documentation & Delegation, PT686B Wound Care, PT686C Community Reintegration)
These brief, asynchronous courses provide an efficient means for students to address credentialing deficiencies on a variety of topic. Please note that these course are separate from, and do not count towards, the DPT. Each course is 0.5 credits, and students will be billed on a per credit basis.
