Academic Experience
The three-year residential DPT program comprises six semesters and two summer terms. The curriculum follows a system-based format. Each semester focuses on a different system of the body.
Throughout the first two years, students learn to incorporate evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning skills and the differential diagnostic process to function as an autonomous practitioner within the health care system. The third and final year is designed to promote integration of the information and skills learned in the first two years.
The systems-based focuses and corresponding clinical components are as follows for each year:
Year One
- Semester 1: Fundamental basic sciences, cellular and systems physiology
- Semester 2: Musculoskeletal disorders with an integrated clinical experience
- Summer 1: Musculoskeletal disorders and clinical rotation
Year Two
- Semester 3: Cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders, particularly in the acute hospital setting with an integrated clinical experience
- Semester 4: Neurologic disorders
- Summer 2: Neurologic disorders and clinical rotation
Year Three
1 In year three, students complete one full-time clinical rotation semester and one part-time clinical rotation semester with case-based instruction and lab practice. About half of students have their part-time experience in semester 5; the other half have their part-time experience in semester 6.
For successful completion of the program, you must:
- Complete all 115 units with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Pass all practical exams in the clinical courses
- Meet all professional behavior standards
- Pass all clinical experiences (a total of 44 full-time equivalent weeks)