Physical Therapy, DPT

Program Description

DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at ULM will focus on addressing health disparities and meeting the needs of rural and underserved communities.   The American Physical Therapy Association states that “physical therapists (PTs) are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education.” Students who pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree can work in a variety of clinical settings. Physical therapists also work as educators, healthcare administrators, researchers, information technologists, and many other positions.

Program Admission

Student admission to the doctoral program is based on the following criteria:

• An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum undergraduate cumulative, or most recent 60 semester credit hours, GPA of 3.00 (using a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.00 (using a 4.0 scale)
• Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better
• Two letters of recommendation: including one letter from a physical therapist, and one letter from either an educator or community leader
• At least 30 hours of paid or volunteer physical therapy observation or experience supervised by a licensed physical therapist. If multiple sites are used, a minimum of 8 hours is required per site

Prerequisite Courses (credit hours)
Science and Mathematics prerequisites: Chemistry with laboratory for science majors (8), Biology with laboratory for science majors (8), Physics with laboratory for science majors (8), Advanced Biology sophomore level or higher (3), Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory separate or combined courses (8)*, Mathematics College Algebra or higher (6), Statistics (3)*.

Non-Science prerequisites: English Composition (6), Advanced English Composition* or Technical Writing (3), Psychology (6), Public Speaking (3).

*The statistics course can be either behavioral or experimental courses.
*Poetry or literature courses will not satisfy the Advanced English compostition or technical writing course requirement.
*Human anatomy and physiology courses must be completed within five years of the application.  In lieu of this coursework, the applicant may complete a proctored anatomy and physiology assessment with Respondus offered by ULM DPT with a passing score of 80%. For additional details about the assessment, please contact the program.

Transfer
The program will evaluate transfer requests on a case-by-case basis for students who are currently admitted, or were admitted, into a CAPTE-accredited program. Please contact the program for additional details about the transfer process.
 

Program Requirements

Eligibility to Remain in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program
Students enrolled in the doctoral program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 during enrollment. Failure of the student to maintain overall professional grade-point average of 3.0, or receipt of more than three course grades lower than B in professional coursework may result in termination from the program. The student must successfully complete all clinical and professional coursework with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00, and the satisfactory completion of the Professional Formation Exit Project.

Core Curricululm

• PHYT 6100 - Functional Anatomy I: Musculoskeletal System
• PHYT 6110 - Assessment and Management of the Musculoskeletal System I
• PHYT 6120 - Clinical Inquiry I
• PHYT 6130 - Professional Development I
• PHYT 6140 - Cultural and Rural Health I
• PHYT 6150 - Integrated Clinical Experience I
• PHYT 6200 - Functional Anatomy II: Neurological System
• PHYT 6250 - Integrated Clinical Experience II
• PHYT 6260 - Assessment and Management of the Neurological System I
• PHYT 6270 - Clinical Skills Development
• PHYT 6280 - Clinical and Applied Exercise Physiology I
• PHYT 6330 - Professional Development II
• PHYT 6350 - Integrated Clinical Experience III
• PHYT 6360 - Assessment and Management of the Neurological System II
• PHYT 6370 - Therapeutic and Innovative Modalities
• PHYT 6380 - Clinical and Applied Exercise Physiology II
• PHYT 6390 - Applied Pharmacology and Diagnostic Imaging
• PHYT 6410 - Assessment and Management of the Musculoskeletal System II
• PHYT 6420 - Clinical Inquiry II
• PHYT 6450 - Professional Education I
• PHYT 6460 - Assessment and Management of the Neurological System III
• PHYT 6470 - Patient Management Across the Lifespan I
• PHYT 6500 - Functional Anatomy III: Cardiopulmonary System
• PHYT 6510 - Assessment and Management of the Musculoskeletal System III
• PHYT 6550 - Integrated Clinical Experience IV
• PHYT 6570 - Patient Management Across the Lifespan II
• PHYT 6580 - Assessment and Management of the Cardiopulmonary Systems
• PHYT 6600 - Functional Anatomy IV: Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary System I
• PHYT 6640 - Cultural and Rural Health II
• PHYT 6650 - Professional Education II
• PHYT 6670 - Practice Management
• PHYT 6690 - Assessment and Management of the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Other Systems I
• PHYT 6700 - Functional Anatomy V: Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Systems II
• PHYT 6720 - Clinical Inquiry III
• PHYT 6750 - Professional Education III
• PHYT 6790 - Assessment and Management of the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, and Other Systems II
• PHYT 6850 - Professional Education IV
• PHYT 6870 - Independent Study (elective; optional)  (1-3 Cr. Hours)

• 
  Total Hours for Degree:  95

Additional Program Information

Professional Formation Exit Project
The Professional Formation Exit Project requires the integration of knowledge and skills gained during the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. The student will complete a case study, systematic review, community-directed project, or advocacy-based project. The student is required to submit an electronic portfolio addressing professional development related to competency areas, core values, mission, and professional goals. After satisfactory completion of the two activities, the student will be accepted as a candidate for graduation.