Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Professional Program

The entry-level professional physical therapy program leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy is designed for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and who wish to become qualified as physical therapists. Students have the opportunity to acquire basic competencies of physical therapy, participate in supervised clinical experiences, and develop skills in evidence-based practice, education, health promotion, and management.

All students complete supervised clinical experiences at selected facilities that give the students exposure to a range of physical therapy practices and settings. Affiliated institutions are located in the greater Boston area and in many areas across the United States. Availability of clinical sites for any one clinical experience is determined by the PT program’s directors of clinical education and the individual clinical site. Students are advised that there will be additional costs associated with housing and transportation needs during each clinical experience.

Learning Outcomes

At the time of graduation, students are expected to:

• Be prepared as entry-level clinicians to practice in a variety of settings
• Utilize critical thinking and reasoning skills in all patient/client management decisions
• Demonstrate the ability to acquire, interpret, and apply evidence to clinical practice
• Practice in a manner consistent with the core values of the profession as described by the document: Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values (APTA)
• Adhere to the ethical and legal physical therapy practice standards

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Applicants should refer to the program website for the most up-to-date admission requirements and application deadlines.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must complete a minimum of 97 units, including a minimum of 36 weeks of clinical experience, to fulfill degree requirements. All requirements must be completed within six years of initial acceptance. The curriculum is designed for full-time study; part-time enrollment is not an option. Degree candidates must attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. No grade below a C is acceptable for units. For further details, please refer to the DPT Policy & Procedures Manual on our website.

Curriculum

The following is a typical three-year program for the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Each course carries 4 units unless otherwise noted.

Professional Curriculum: DPT

Summer Term I

• SAR HS 581 Gross Human Anatomy

Summer Term II

• SAR PT 515 Physical Therapy Examination
• SAR PT 520 Functional Anatomy

First Year (DPT I)

First Term

• SAR HP 531 Clinical Medicine I
• SAR PT 566 Evidence-Based Practice I (2 units)
• SAR PT 511 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary System I (6 units)
• SAR PT 521 Musculoskeletal System I (6 units)
• SAR PT 555 Integrated Clinical Experience I (1 unit)

Second Term

• SAR HP 532 Clinical Medicine II
• SAR PT 512 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary System II (2 units)
• SAR PT 522 Musculoskeletal System II (6 units)
• SAR PT 551 Neuroscience for the Physical Therapist
• SAR PT 565 Integrated Clinical Experience II (1 unit)
• SAR PT 720 Educational Theory & Practice (2 units)

Summer

• SAR PT 791 Clinical Experience I (0 units) Fee

Second Year (DPT II)

First Term

• SAR PT 550 Scientific Basis of Human Movement (2 units)
• SAR PT 610 Health Promotion & Wellness (2 units)
• SAR PT 634 Diagnostic Procedures for Rehabilitation Professionals
• SAR PT 652 Neurological System I (6 units)
• SAR PT 662 Evidence-Based Practice II (2 units)
• SAR PT 691 Clinical Education Seminar I (1 unit)

Second Term

• SAR PT 623 Musculoskeletal System III (6 units)
• SAR PT 653 Neurological System II (6 units)
• SAR PT 682 Academic Practicum I (2 units)
• SAR PT 692 Clinical Education Seminar II (1 unit)

Summer

• SAR PT 792 Clinical Experience II (0 units) Fee

Third Year (DPT III)

First Term

• SAR HP 770 Health Care Management
• SAR PT 757 Pediatrics (3 units)
• SAR PT 773 Comprehensive Clinical Reasoning
• SAR PT 782 Academic Practicum II (2 units)
• SAR PT 794 Clinical Education Seminar III (1 unit)
• SAR PT 760 Special Topics Seminar (1 unit)

Second Term

• SAR PT 793 Clinical Education Experience III (0 units) Fee