Hybrid Pathway Course Schedule

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a three-year, full-time program.

The systems-based curriculum integrates online coursework, an engaging virtual classroom experience, on-campus immersions and a total of 44 weeks of full-time equivalent clinical experiences that begin in the first year. Through corresponding coursework and clinical rotations, students develop their knowledge and expertise as they are taught by USC’s globally recognized faculty.

Learn more about individual courses and explore the course schedule for each year in the hybrid pathway below.

Year 1

  • Courses
    12 Courses

  • On-Campus Immersions
    5 On-Campus Immersions

  • Clinical Experience
    1 Clinical Experience

Semester 1a

(5 Credits)

  • Cellular and Systems Physiology
    PT 509 | 3 Credits | CourseCourses
  • Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice
    PT 561a | 2 Credits | CourseOn-Campus Immersions
  • Immersion No. 0
    On-Campus Immersion

Semester 1b

(12 Credits)

  • Musculoskeletal Anatomy
    PT 514L | 4 Credits | Course
  • Basics of Patient Management
    PT 521L | 4 Credits | Course
  • Mechanics of Human Gait (Movement Analysis I)
    PT 582 | 2 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Imaging
    PT 606 | 2 Credits | Course
  • Immersion No. 1
    On-Campus Immersion
  • Immersion No. 2
    On-Campus Immersion

Semester 2

(19 Credits)

  • Therapeutic Exercise
    PT 530a | 2 Credits | Course
  • Analytical Anatomy
    PT 554L | 3 Credits | Course
  • Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice
    PT 561b | 2 Credits | Course
  • Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
    PT 566 | 3 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Biomechanics (Movement Analysis II)
    PT 574 | 3 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Management of The Patient with Musculoskeletal Dysfunction
    PT 621 | 5 Credits | Course
  • 2-Week Clinical Experience
    PT 600a | 1 Credit | Clinical Experience
  • Immersion No. 3
    On-Campus Immersion
  • Immersion No. 4
    On-Campus Immersion

Year 2

  • Courses
    15 Courses
  • On-Campus Immersions
    4 On-Campus Immersions
  • Clinical Experiences
    2 Clinical Experiences

Summer

(9 Credits)

  • Principles of Disease
    PT 516 | 1 Credit | Course
  • Special Topics in Therapeutic Exercise
    PT 530b | 2 Credits | Course
  • Therapeutic Application of Physical Agents
    PT 551L | 3 Credits | Course
  • 6-Week Clinical Experience
    PT 600b | 3 Credits | Clinical Experience
  • Immersion No. 5
    On-Campus Immersion

Semester 3

(18 Credits)

  • Neuroanatomy
    PT 534L | 3 Credits | Course
  • Pathology of Cardiopulmonary Disease and General Medical Conditions
    PT 536 | 3 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Pharmacology
    PT 539 | 1 Credit | Course
  • Clinical Exercise Physiology
    PT 549L | 4 Credits | Course
  • Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice
    PT 561c | 2 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction
    PT 571L | 4 Credits | Course
  • 2-Week Clinical Experience
    PT 600c | 1 Credit | Clinical Experience
  • Immersion No. 6
    On-Campus Immersion

Semester 4

(17 Credits)

  • Neuropathology
    PT 546 | 3 Credits | Course
  • Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice
    PT 561d | 2 Credits | Course
  • Fundamentals of Neuroscience
    PT 569 | 4 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Management of the Patient With Neurological Dysfunction
    PT 581L | 5 Credits | Course
  • Clinical Electrophysiology
    PT 583L | 1 Credit | Course
  • Life Span Motor Control
    PT 529 | 2 Credits | Course
  • Immersion No. 7
    On-Campus Immersion
  • Immersion No. 8
    On-Campus Immersion

Year 3

  • Courses
    5 Courses
  • On-Campus Immersions
    3* On-Campus Immersions
  • Clinical Experiences
    3 Clinical Experiences

Summer

(11 Credits)

  • Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice
    PT 561e | 2 Credits | Course
  • Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy
    PT 650 | 2 Credits | Course
  • Emerging Topics
    PT 625 | 3 Credits | Course
  • 8-Week Clinical Experience
    PT 600d | 4 Credits | Clinical Experience
  • Immersion No. 9
    On-Campus Immersion

Semesters 5

(12 Credits)

  • Hybrid Integrated Patient Management Clinical Skills
    PT 640a | 3 Credits | Course
  • Hybrid Integrated Patient Management Seminar
    PT 642a | 2.5 Credits | Course
  • Hybrid Terminal Clinical Experience with Academic Integration (13 weeks, full-time)
    PT 670a | 6.5 Credits | Clinical Experience

Semesters 6

(12 Credits)

  • Hybrid Integrated Patient Management Clinical Skills
    PT 640b | 3 Credits | Course
  • Hybrid Integrated Patient Management Seminar
    PT 642b | 2.5 Credits | Course
  • Hybrid Terminal Clinical Experience with Academic Integration (13 weeks, full-time)
    PT 670b | 6.5 Credits | Clinical Experience
  • Immersion No. 10
    On-Campus Immersion
  • Immersion No. 11
    On-Campus Immersion

Ready to Become a Physical Therapist?

Take the next step toward earning your Doctor of Physical Therapy with USC and apply today.