tDPT Curriculum

Students with a master’s degree in physical therapy are required to complete 27 semester credit hours. Students with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy are required to complete 33 semester credit hours. All students are required to take the 7 core (required) courses. Students with a master’s degree in physical therapy choose 2 electives and students with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy choose 4 electives. All courses are taught online. Most courses will be taught at least once per year. Students are required to successfully complete at least two courses within each academic year. While each student’s curriculum is flexible, it is expected that course work requirements for the Transitional DPT degree be completed within five years. Each student will design a degree plan on admission to the program in conjunction with the Program Director. All students are required to develop a Graduate Portfolio in their final semester. The portfolio will consist of a collection of works completed throughout the program and will be compiled in conjunction with a written reflection highlighting student learning and application to clinical practice.

Core Courses

Electives

tDPT/ScD in PT Coordinated Curriculum

The Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) and Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (ScD) programs have designed a pathway to earning both degrees. The purpose of the coordinated tDPT-ScD curricula is:

• To advance the knowledge, skills and behaviors of the BSPT and MPT professional to a level consistent with the current professional (entry-level) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) standards;
• To allow the BSPT and MPT professional the opportunity to coordinate curricula that would permit the earning of credit hours in the tDPT program that would also meet some of the academic credit hour requirements in the ScD in PT (ScD) degree.

BSPT Students

BSPT students entering the tDPT program are required to take 7 core courses and 4 electives for a total of 33 credit hours (3 credit hours per course).

1. The student needs to apply and be accepted to both the tDPT and ScD programs; acceptance into the programs can occur in different semesters.
   
   
2. The student must complete the 7 tDPT core courses. It is recommended that Diagnostic Imaging (HPPT 8364) and Screening and Differential Diagnosis (HPPT 8363) be taken in the tDPT curriculum. These 6 SCH can then be applied toward the required ScD credit hours. The student may choose to take Radiological Anatomy (HPPT 6317) and/or Orthopedic Physical Therapy Screening (HPPT 6404) in the ScD program to fulfill tDPT courses HPPT 8364 and/or HPPT 8363. The student should recognize that there will be a required contact session (2-3 days duration) at the Lubbock campus for both of these ScD courses; the student will be responsible for the expenses associated with the travel.
   
   
3. The students must complete 4 tDPT elective courses with the option of enrolling in 2 ScD courses (see list below) that can be taken in place of 2 (of the 4) tDPT electives. These 6 SCH can then be applied towards the required ScD credit hours. The remaining 2 tDPT electives will be chosen from tDPT courses. Eligible ScD courses include:

• HPPT 6321 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Shoulder Complex
• HPPT 6322 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Elbow and Forearm
• HPPT 6323 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Wrist and Hand
• HPPT 6324 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Hip Complex
• HPPT 6325 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Knee Complex
• HPPT 6326 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Ankle and Foot
• HPPT 6327 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Upper Cervical Spine
• HPPT 6328 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Lower Cervical Spine
• HPPT 6329 Advanced Clinical Practice for the CTJ and TOS
• HPPT 6330 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Thoracic Spine and Ribs
• HPPT 6331 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Acute Lumbosacral Pain
• HPPT 6332 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Recurrent and Chronic Lumbosacral Pain
• HPPT 6303 Basic and Applied Science in Orthopaedics
• HPPT 6305 Updates in Orthopedic Surgical Management
• HPPT 6311 Clinical Studies in Anatomy
• HPPT 6312 Neuroscience of Pain
• HPPT 6313 Biomechanics in Orthopaedics
• HPPT 6314 Motor Control in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
• HPPT 7301 Seminar in Clinical Research Design
• HPPT 7305 Curriculum Design and Teaching in Health Professions
• HPPT 7404 Education Evaluation in Health Professions
• HPPT 7406 Advanced Statistics in Health Professions

There is a need for students with a BSPT degree who are enrolled in both tDPT and ScD programs to take the following into account: (i) tDPT courses do not have contact sessions – students enrolling in an ScD course should understand that they will need to attend the associated contact session, and (ii) upon successful completion of the tDPT curriculum, the student will graduate with their DPT degree and will be eligible for the ScD program curriculum requirements that apply to DPT graduates.

MPT Students

MPT students entering the tDPT program are required to take 7 core courses and 2 electives for a total of 27 credit hours (3 credit hours per course).

1. The student needs to apply and be accepted to both the tDPT and ScD programs; acceptance into the programs can occur in different semesters. 
   
   
2. The student must complete the 7 tDPT core courses. It is recommended that Diagnostic Imaging (HPPT 8364) and Screening and Differential Diagnosis (HPPT 8363) be taken in the tDPT curriculum. These 6 SCH can then be applied toward the required ScD credit hours. The student may choose to take Radiological Anatomy (HPPT 6317) and/or Orthopedic Physical Therapy Screening (HPPT 6404) in the ScD program to fulfill tDPT courses HPPT 8364 and/or HPPT 8363. The student should recognize that there will be a required contact session (2-3 days dura- tion) at the Lubbock campus for both of these ScD courses; the student will be responsible for the expenses associated with the travel. 
   
   
3. The students must complete 2 tDPT elective courses with the option of enrolling in 2 ScD courses (see list below) that can be taken in place of their tDPT electives. These 6 SCH can then be applied towards the required ScD credit hours. Eligible ScD courses include:

• HPPT 6321 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Shoulder Complex
• HPPT 6322 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Elbow and Forearm
• HPPT 6323 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Wrist and Hand
• HPPT 6324 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Hip Complex
• HPPT 6325 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Knee Complex
• HPPT 6326 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Ankle and Foot
• HPPT 6327 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Upper Cervical Spine
• HPPT 6328 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Lower Cervical Spine
• HPPT 6329 Advanced Clinical Practice for the CTJ and TOS
• HPPT 6330 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Thoracic Spine and Ribs
• HPPT 6331 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Acute Lumbosacral Pain
• HPPT 6332 Advanced Clinical Practice for the Recurrent and Chronic Lumbosacral Pain
• HPPT 6303 Basic and Applied Science in Orthopaedics
• HPPT 6305 Updates in Orthopedic Surgical Management
• HPPT 6311 Clinical Studies in Anatomy
• HPPT 6312 Neuroscience of Pain
• HPPT 6313 Biomechanics in Orthopaedics
• HPPT 6314 Motor Control in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
• HPPT 7301 Seminar in Clinical Research Design
• HPPT 7305 Curriculum Design and Teaching in Health Professions
• HPPT 7404 Education Evaluation in Health Professions
• HPPT 7406 Advanced Statistics in Health Professions

There is a need for students with a MPT degree who are enrolled in both tDPT and ScD programs to take the following into account: (i) tDPT courses do not have contact sessions – students enrolling in an ScD course should understand that they will need to attend the associated contact session, and (ii) upon successful completion of the tDPT curriculum, the student will graduate with their DPT degree and will be eligible for the ScD program curriculum requirements that apply to DPT graduates.

• HPPT 8361 Professional Development (3:4:0,O)

  This course focuses on the professional role and responsibility of the physical therapist at a doctoral level. Students will analyze professional core values and their own professional development as a DPT. There will be a focus on the application of ethical analysis and decision-making as physical therapists become an entry-point into healthcare for patients and clients.

• HPPT 8362 Health and Wellness Promotion (3:4:0,O)

  This course focuses on the theories and practice of health promotion and wellness and is designed to assist students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to successfully integrate health promotion and wellness into physical therapy practice. Students will complete health promotion and wellness modules on topics such as: health promotion in physical therapy practice; individual and societal determinants of health and wellness; theories of behavior change; techniques for patient education and counseling in the areas of lifestyle change, physical activity, nutrition, and weight management. A major focus is on learning to use behavior modification techniques to help motivate and support lifestyle changes, improve health, and prevent disease. As part of this course, students will research and develop a health promotion intervention that can be delivered in their physical therapy practice setting.

• HPPT 8363 Screening and Differential Diagnosis (3:4:0,O)

  This course provides education in screening and differential diagnosis of conditions that may require referral to or examination by a physician. This course will educate the student about proper screening for medical disease to make an informed physical therapy diagnosis. Students will be required to draw upon their comprehensive knowledge of all body systems to distinguish musculoskeletal and neuromuscular pathology from systemic conditions involving medical pathology which would require a referral to a different healthcare practitioner.

• HPPT 8364 Diagnostic Imaging (3:4:0,O)

  This course will cover the basic science behind multiple imaging modalities (x-rays, MRI, CT, arthrograms, USI, PET scans, etc), advantages and disadvantages of each intervention, and referral for imaging services or consultation. Anatomy of bone, joint, cartilage, soft tissue, and CNS structure for the appropriate imaging devices will be discussed by joint/region along with clinical reasoning algorithms for assistance with imaging selection and interpretation. Special features and views will be discussed as applicable for each imaging device.

• HPPT 8365 Evidence-Based Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course will prepare the student to develop the knowledge and skills needed for evidence-based physical therapist practice. Students will learn to apply evidence to clinical practice by integrating evidence, patient values, and clinical experience. Specifically, students will be able to perform all steps involved in evidence-based practice: pose a question based on a patient problem, search the literature for evidence, critically appraise the evidence for validity and reliability, and determine if the evidence is applicable to clinical practice. The main goal of the course is for students to become consumers of scientific literature.

• HPPT 8366 Clinical Application of Pharmacology (3:4:0,O)

  This course provides a survey of pharmacology and covers key concepts related to the cellular actions, therapeutic uses, and side effects of major drug classes used in the management of disease. Basic principles of pharmacology are addressed with focus on the mechanisms of action of classes of drugs and effects of specific drugs on the major systems of the body (nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and other body systems). The pathophysiology of disease is also reviewed. The major focus of this course is on the relevant applications of pharmacotherapy to physical therapy clinical practice and patient management.

• HPPT 8367 Business Concepts for Physical Therapists (3:4:0,O)

  This course focuses on the issues faced by physical therapy administration within the current healthcare industry. Topics include business analysis, human resources, marketing, legislation, reimbursement models, ethical issues, compliance, and advocacy as components of a strategic planning process.

• HPPT 8371 Musculoskeletal PT Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course surveys evidence-based physical therapy examination, evaluation, and interventions for patients with musculoskeletal pathologies and impairments. The student will apply clinical decision making and clinical practice guidelines. The course includes an overview of current intervention philosophies.

• HPPT 8372 Neuromuscular Physical Therapy Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course surveys evidence-based physical therapy examination, evaluation, and interventions for patients with neuromuscular pathologies and impairments. The student will apply clinical decision making and clinical practice guidelines. The course includes an overview of current intervention philosophies to enhance neuroplasticity.

• HPPT 8373 Pediatric Physical Therapy Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course surveys evidence-based physical therapy examination, evaluation, and interventions for pediatric clients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. The student will apply clinical decision making and clinical practice guidelines in different environments of care.

• HPPT 8374 Women's Physical Therapy Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course survey’s evidence-based physical therapy examination, evaluation, and interventions for conditions specific to women from adolescence to old age. The student will apply clinical decision making and clinical practice guidelines. The course includes an overview of current intervention philosophies.

• HPPT 8375 Integumentary Physical Therapy Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course surveys evidence-based physical therapy examination, evaluation, and interventions for patients with integumentary pathologies. The student will apply clinical decision making and clinical practice guidelines. The course includes an overview of current intervention philosophies.

• HPPT 8376 Geriatric Physical Therapy Practice (3:4:0,O)

  This course provides an in-depth approach to exploring the physiologic, pathologic, and socio-cultural changes in musculoskeletal, neurological, integumentary, cardiopulmonary and metabolic systems that occur with aging. Emphasis is placed on application of evidence-based physical therapy assessment and intervention in the geriatric practice setting.

• HPPT 8377 Assistive Technology (3:4:0,O)

  This course surveys evidence-based patient management using assistive and adaptive devices and rehabilitation technology across the lifespan. Information specific to mobility devices (manual and power wheelchairs), standers, gait trainers, environmental control units, and assistive and augmentative communication are emphasized. In addition, current technologies to assess and document architectural barriers will be addressed. The student will apply clinical decision making relative to current and emerging technologies in physical therapy patient management.

• HPPT 8378 Applied Clinical Anatomy (3:4:0,O)

  This course incorporates an integrated study of human anatomy within the context of clinical practice. Focus is given to the general review of human anatomy for the clinician, but is expanded to include the application of clinical anatomy knowledge as a foundation for physical therapy practice. The course includes prosecution review videos to enhance the anatomical overview of the upper extremity, lower extremity, spine, and major body systems.