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

The systems-based curriculum integrates lecture and laboratory experiences on campus 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 in each area alongside USC’s globally recognized faculty.

Learn more about individual courses and explore the course schedule of each year below.

Year 1

• Courses
  12 Courses

• Clinical Experience
  1 Clinical Experience

Semester 1

(17 Credits)

• Cellular and Systems Physiology
  PT 509 | 3 Credits | Course

• Evidence for Physical Therapist Practice
  PT 561a | 2 Credits | Course

• 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

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 Experience¹
  PT 600a | 1 Credit | Clinical Experience

¹ PT 600A includes both a classroom course and a clinical experience component.

¹ Note: The Full-Time Clinical Education Experience can occur in either the fifth or sixth semester. The Director of Clinical Education determines when each student completes the integrated or full-time terminal clinical education experience.