Skip to main content
USC University of Southern California
USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Apply
  • About
    • About the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
    • Leadership and Faculty
    • Research
    • Student Mentoring Program
    • Physical Therapy Services
    • 2U, Our Program Partner
  • Residential DPT Program
    • Admissions Overview
      • Application Requirements
      • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Academic Experience
    • Curriculum
    • Clinical Education Program
    • Service Learning Experience
    • Residential FAQs
  • Hybrid DPT Program
    • Admissions Overview
      • Application Requirements
      • Tuition and Financial Aid
      • Events
    • Academic Experience
    • Curriculum
    • Clinical Education Program
    • Service Learning Experience
    • Hybrid FAQs
  • Blog
  • Apply
  • USC DPT Programs | Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
  • Residential DPT Program
  • Curriculum
  • Admissions Overview
  • Academic Experience
  • Curriculum
  • Clinical Education Program
  • Service Learning Experience
  • Residential FAQs
  • DPT@USC Facebook
  • DPT@USC Instagram
  • DPT@USC Linkedin

Next Application Deadline:

Residential DPT Program
2017-2018 application cycle is closed
Apply for the 2018-2019 admissions cycle starting July 1, 2018 through PTCAS

Hybrid DPT Program
Final Application Deadline
April 9, 2018

Curriculum

PT 509 Cellular and Systems Physiology

Selected subjects in cellular and systems physiology. Emphasis on molecular and cellular aspects of neuromuscular function; also renal and endocrine physiology.

PT 514L Musculoskeletal Anatomy

Musculoskeletal anatomy, innervation, blood supply and function: intensive study of the head, neck, trunk and limbs.

PT 516 Principles of Disease

Principles and mechanisms of genetics, immunology, infection, wound healing and oncology.

PT 521L Basics of Patient Management

Development of basic decision-making skills, professional behaviors and impairment assessment in patients with musculoskeletal, neurologic and/or cardiopulmonary dysfunction.

PT 529 Life Span Motor Control

Introduction to sensorimotor systems, overview of current perspectives in motor control from fetus through late adulthood, and clinical tests of motor proficiency.

PT 530a Therapeutic Exercise

Theoretical and practical principles for evaluation of exercise need and prescription of exercise programs. Emphasis on approaches for patients with musculoskeletal deficits.

PT 530b Special Topics in Therapeutic Exercise

Examination of needs analysis and prescription of exercise programs for special patient populations and assessment of current community trends in exercise and wellness.

PT 534L Neuroanatomy

Organized approach to structures in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous systems that subserve motor, sensory, and integrative functions; memory; and cognitive and special senses.

PT 536 Pathology of Cardiopulmonary Disease and General Medical Conditions

Pathology and pathophysiological mechanisms in disease of the cardiac, pulmonary and circulatory systems; examination of diabetes, burns and other disabling medical disorders.

PT 539 Clinical Pharmacology

Effects of commonly used drugs in patients with physical disability; side effects that alter physical performance or responses to exercise.

PT 546 Neuropathology

Pathology in the central and peripheral nervous systems that alter motor and sensory performance. Emphasis on loss of motion and excessive and involuntary movement disorders.

PT 549L Clinical Exercise Physiology

Adaptation of the human body to exercise and the use of exercise to modify human function.

PT 551L Therapeutic Application of Physical Agents

Physiologic responses to the application of thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic and hydrodynamic therapeutic procedures. Evaluation procedures and intervention planning.

PT 554L Analytical Anatomy

Detailed kinesiologic analysis of axial, spine, head, neck, face and bulbar muscles.

PT 561a–e Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice

  1. Introduction to a patient-centered Evidence Based Practice model with emphasis on professional communication skills, ethics, professional guidelines, laws and regulations.
  2. Introduction to acquiring, appraising and integrating research evidence.
  3. Advanced critical analysis and application of research of evidence.
  4. Advanced integration of patient values as influenced by culture, ethnicity, lifestyles, gender and age into patient-centered clinical decision-making.
  5. Analysis of the integration of physical therapist practice into the national health care system; administration, budgeting and reimbursement for physical therapist services.

PT 566 Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System

Regional description of pathology and pathophysiological mechanisms of disorders of bone, connective tissue and joints.

PT 569 Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Detailed analysis of neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal motor and sensory function.

PT 571L Clinical Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction

Physical therapy evaluation and intervention in the care of patients with circulatory, cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction.

PT 574 Clinical Biomechanics (Movement Analysis II)

Introduction to the principles of biomechanics (statics, dynamics) as they apply to physical therapy practice. Emphasis on tissue mechanics, joint function and gait.

PT 581L Clinical Management of the Patient with Neurological Dysfunction

Physical therapy theory and methods for intervention in neurological dysfunction. Lecture, laboratory.

PT 582 Mechanics of Human Gait (Movement Analysis I)

Introduction to both normal and pathological gait. Emphasis on the basic components of abnormal ambulation, including temporal-spatial factors, joint motion, kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity.

PT 583L Clinical Electrophysiology

Use of electrical currents to evaluate and treat musculoskeletal, neurological and wound disorders. Theory and practice.

PT 600a–d Clinical Clerkship

  1. Practical experience in two- or six-week physical therapy manual skills, decision-making and professional behaviors.
  2. Practical experience in six-week physical therapy manual skills, decision-making, and professional behaviors.
  3. Practical experience in two-week physical therapy psychomotor skills, decision-making and professional behaviors.
  4. Practical experience in two-week physical therapy psychomotor skills, decision-making and professional behaviors.

PT 606 Clinical Imaging

Elements of reading roentgenographs and CAT and MRI scans for the physical therapist. Lecture, demonstration, practical experience. Open only to biokinesiology and physical therapy graduate students.

PT 621 Clinical Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction

Physical therapy theory and methods of evaluation and treatment of orthopedic dysfunction.

PT 630 Integrated Patient Management Clinical Skills

Advanced evaluation and management of axial skeletal dysfunctions and related movement disorders, and upper and lower extremity disorders and related movement dysfunction.

PT 631 Integrated Patient Management of the Axial Skeletal System and Related Movement Disorders

Advanced assessment and management of axial skeletal dysfunctions and related movement disorders.

PT 632 Integrated Patient Management Seminar

Integration of physical therapy management of complicated patients with concurrent musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and/or neurologic disorders.

PT 660 16-Week Integrated Terminal Clinical Education Experience With Academic Integration

A 16-week clerkship consisting of a minimum of 24 hours per week in a part-time setting. Emphasis on the care of orthopedic, neurologic, pediatric or complicated medical conditions.

PT 665 16-Week Terminal Full-Time Clinical Education Experience

A 16-week clerkship consisting of a minimum of 36 hours per week in a full-time setting. Emphasis on care of orthopedic, neurologic, pediatric or complicated medical conditions.

Interested in applying to the USC residential DPT program?

Learn More — Application Requirements

  • About
  • Residential DPT Program
  • Hybrid DPT Program
  • Blog
  • Legal
  • Graduate Outcomes
  • Sitemap

Residential Program Contact Information:
Phone Number: 323.442.2890 | Email Address: vorcas@usc.edu

Hybrid Program Contact Information:
Phone Number: 855.751.0083 | Email Address: admissions@dpt.usc.edu

University of Southern California
Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 155
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9006

© 2018 USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy