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school of health professions - student handbook 2022-2023


Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy

ScD Program 


SHP General Information
Review information that pertains to all students within the School of Health Professions (SHP) that is located at the beginning of the SHP Student Handbook. 
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Policies, Procedures, and Student Responsibilities
Review information that pertains to all students within the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (DRS) that is located in the Rehabilitation Section of the SHP Student Handbook.
This section of the Student Handbook describes academic policies and procedures that are specific to the TTUHSC ScD program. Student policies that are common to the School of Health Professions are provided at the following website address:

https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx 


Accreditation and Program Overview 
Accreditation Statement
Program accreditation occurs in conjunction with the accreditation of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters, doctoral, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 4046794500 for questions about the accreditation of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Mission and Philosophy
The Mission of the Doctor of Science Program in Physical Therapy at TTUHSC is to provide an evidence-informed terminal doctoral degree program designed for the practicing physical therapist that wishes to pursue advanced studies in the area of basic and applied science, clinical practice, teaching, and research.
Program Objectives
The ScD Program provides individuals with the opportunity to:
Objective 1: Construct a basic and applied science framework that can be used for Analysis, Synthesis, and Critical Thinking in clinical practice.
Measurement Metrics: Course completion
Objective 2: Utilize advanced clinical reasoning for selecting appropriate examination procedures and interpreting test outcomes with the aim of analyzing patients' complex conditions.
Measurement Metrics: Course completion, qualifying exam, surveys
Objective 3: Employ documented outcomes, experience, and heuristics for composing a comprehensive management strategy and appraising treatment outcomes.
Measurement Metrics: Course completion, qualifying exam, surveys
Objective 4: Incorporate advanced design and methodology for developing independent thought processes involved in teaching and research.
Measurement Metrics: Successful completion of qualifying exam, dissertation proposal, dissertation execution, and dissertation defense.
Objective 5: Initiate routine communication with colleagues across other states, countries, or continents for developing professional networks and support.
Measurement Metrics: Attending contact sessions as well as completion of threaded discussions and group projects.
Objective 6: Develop specialization in order to exemplify clinical mastery.
Measurement Metrics: Qualifying exam, surveys
Objective 7: Exhibit professional competency through expertise in the areas of teaching and or research.
Measurement Metrics: Successful completion of dissertation proposal, dissertation execution, and dissertation defense.
Objective 8: Excel in advanced examination, diagnostic skills, and management strategies.
Measurement Metrics: Qualifying exam, surveys
Objective 9: Proficient in Teaching delivery and Research engagement.
Measurement Metric: Rubrics that evaluate dissertation delivery; proficiency in using research instruments.
Program Description
The ScD is a post-graduate terminal academic doctoral degree designed for licensed Physical Therapists interested in refining their critical thinking skills, or who are interested in becoming educators or clinical researchers. We work with clinicians from around the world, offering them opportunities to refine concepts and ideas that foster innovations in teaching, researching, and patient care. The program is offered via hybrid courses that are conducted through a weekend format with web-based enhancement. Faculty and students communicate with each other in person, via phone, teleconferences, or electronic mail. Students entering the program should have ready access to a computer and be familiar with word processing, spreadsheet, and internet applications. 
Student Responsibilities and Expectations
Policy for ScD Homework Submission
Module Homework Due Dates and Final Module Submission Due Dates are established for each course by the course coordinator at the beginning of the semester.
Module Due Dates: These are the dates on which the modules are each due. If a student submits an assignment within 10 calendar days that follow a Module Due Date for a given module, the student will receive a 20% reduction from their grade for that module (not including any grade reduction for the actual work). Additionally, no feedback for submitted work can be guaranteed.
Final Module Submission Date (FMSD): This date will occur 10 days after the original module due date and represents the last day that a module can be submitted to receive credit for completion. Any submission after this date without prior approval from the instructor will receive a "0" grade for that work. There is a Final Module Submission Date for each module. A course grade of "Incomplete" ("I") may be given by an instructor when a student’s work in a course has not been completed at the end of a semester if the failure to complete the work has been due to causes beyond the student’s control. It is not used as a substitute for an F (failure).
Refer to the following link for the School policy regarding grade assignments of "I": h
ttps://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx
Threaded Discussion Participation
Students enrolled in ScD Program classes at TTUHSC are required to participate in threaded discussion(s) as per the guidelines outlined in each course. Failure to participate in threaded discussion(s) within the posted 10-day period will constitute a late submission and the student will receive a 20% deduction from their grade for this assignment. A late submission must be posted within the 10 days following the last day of the original 10-day time frame unless the student makes arrangements with the instructor before the last day of the discussion. Failure to submit beyond the time frame above will constitute a failure and earn a "0" grade for the threaded discussion activity.
ScD Contact Session Attendance
By design, most ScD courses require both online work and contact session attendance to insure quality and depth in the student's learning process. Therefore, the ScD student's attendance at course contact sessions is required for each course in which a session is conducted. A student is excused from attending a contact session only for extenuating circumstances (listed below) AND with prior approval by the course instructor.
Category A Excused Absence:
1. Criterion A1: Death in the Immediate Family: This includes parents, spouse, or children
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide a copy of the obituary associated with the loss.
2. Criterion A2: Life-Threatening Illness of self or immediate family members: This includes illnesses that threaten life of the ScD student or immediate family members requiring the ScD student's attention and care.
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide documentation regarding the necessity of the absence. Based on HIPAA, no medical details are required in that letter.
3. Criterion A3: Life-Sustaining Medical Appointment: This includes an appointment for dire-medical necessity of the ScD student or immediate family members.
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide documentation from their health care provider regarding the necessity of the absence. Based on HIPAA, no medical details are required in that letter, but that physician's letter of dire medical necessity will be required.
4. Criterion A4: Military or National Guard service requirements
Student Action Requirement: These are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with the course instructor and ScD program director.
5. Criterion A5: Federal or Foreign Mandated Travel Restrictions
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must contact the course coordinator or Program Director prior to the Contact Session.
Additional Information: If the ScD student fulfills the above requirements for Category-A Excused Absence, then the student's final course grade will be based on completion and performance of course modules by due dates as defined by the course syllabus or modified by the instructor. If the student is unable to complete the course module work by the end of the semester, the student may be eligible to receive a course grade of "I" and to complete the required work by end of the following semester to receive full credit.
Category B Excused Absence:
1. Criterion B1: Death in the Extended Family
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide a copy of the obituary associated with the loss.
2. Criterion B2: Non-Life-Threatening Illness of Self or Immediate Family Members
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide documentation from their health care provider regarding the necessity of the absence. Based on HIPAA, no medical details are required in that letter, but that physician's letter of medical necessity will be required.
3. Criterion B3: Non-Life-Sustaining Medical Appointment
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide documentation from their health care provider regarding the necessity of the absence. Based on HIPAA, no medical details are required in that letter, but that physician's letter of medical necessity will be required.
4. Criterion B4: Air Travel Constraints-This includes canceled flights and weather conditions at the site of the contact session with no available alternatives.
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide documentation of the cancellation or report of weather outcome in the contact session area.
5. Criterion B5: State, Region, Employer, or Personal Travel Constraints
Student Action Requirement: The ScD student must provide documentation of these restrictions.
Additional Information: A student who is unable to attend a contact session for the above reasons is required to contact the ScD Faculty member conducting the contact session prior to the start of the session. 
A student whose excused absence falls under this category must complete all module course work by the due dates as defined by the course syllabus or modified by the instructor. In addition, they are required to write a 10-page Review of Literature regarding a topic that is deemed appropriate for the class by the instructor and submit that paper by the final coursework due date in the given semester. Twenty percent of the overall course grade will be deducted pending submission of the Review of Literature. The student will be able to remove the 20% deduction by successfully completing the Review of Literature requirement.
Category C Excused Absence
1. Criterion C1: Pre-arranged absence due to travel requirements: Must not exceed 2 hours of a given course contact session.
Student Action Requirement: The ScD faculty member conducting the contact session must approve pre-arranged flights that occur before the end of the session. The student may be excused for no more than the final 2 hours of the session.
2. Criterion C2: Illness during a contact session.
Student Action Requirement: The student must contact and inform the ScD faculty member of the illness before the beginning of that day's contact session. If the contact session has already started and the student must leave, the ScD faculty member must be informed of the decision before the student leaves.
3. Criterion C3: Unsafe weather in Lubbock preventing student from attending contact session after arriving for the contact session.
Student Action Requirement: The decision to cancel a class will coincide with recommendations from the National Weather Service and TTUHSC. Tornados, ice, and hail are possible weather conditions that may be experienced in Lubbock and may produce safety concerns that could delay the beginning of a contact session or lead to its cancelation.
4. Criterion C4: Illness of a family member that requires student to return home.
Student Action Requirement: The student must contact and inform the ScD faculty member concerning the decision to leave the contact session early. An excused absence will only be permitted in the case of an emergency.
5. Criterion C5: Unexpected weather or disaster harmfully affecting the student's community or residence that occurs while attending the contact session.
Student Action Requirement: The student must contact and inform the ScD faculty member of the issue before the beginning of that day's contact session. If the contact session has already started and the student must leave, the ScD faculty member must be informed of the decision before the student leaves.
Additional Information: For a pre-arranged travel requirement, the ScD Faculty member must be contacted prior to the contact session. For any of the other reasons, the ScD Faculty member must be contacted by the student before the end of the contact session.
A student whose absence is in this category must complete all module course work by due dates specified in the course syllabus or modified by the instructor. In addition, a student who is absent under this category is required to write a 10-page Review of Literature regarding a topic that is deemed appropriate for the class by the instructor and submit that paper by the final coursework due date in the given semester. Twenty percent of the overall course grade will be deducted pending submission of the Review of Literature. The student will be able to remove the 20% deduction by successfully completing the Review of Literature requirement. 
All Other Contact Session Absences
Absence from a contact session for reasons other than described above will not be approved. Unexcused absence from a contact session will result in a 25% reduction in the course grade. For example, if the student earned 90% in the course, an unexcused absence from a contact session will result in a course grade of 65%.

Clinical Dissertation and Qualifying Exam
Enrollment During the Clinical Dissertation Project Phase of the ScD Program
Students with a Bachelor's degree are required to complete a minimum of 70 hours from the ScD curriculum. Students with a Master's degree are required to complete a minimum of 48 semester hours. Students with a DPT degree are required to complete a minimum of 36­48 hours, depending on their previous graduate course work (including DPT semester credit hours). Each DPT applicant's transcript is considered on a case ­by­ case basis and final required hours are determined by the admissions committee who will evaluate if any graduate courses will substitute for a ScD course. As a part of the curriculum, ScD students are required to complete a Clinical Dissertation Project in either the teaching track or research track. In the event that an ScD student completes all required course work and qualifying examinations and only lacks the completion of the clinical project in order to graduate, the ScD Program requires that the student enrolls in at least 2 semester credit hours in the HPPT 7000 course* during every semester that the student is engaged in the Clinical Dissertation Project until project completion and defense (note that recurrent semester course enrollment is allowed for 7000 courses). A student who has not completed the qualifying exam is required to enroll in at least 3 semester credit hours to remain in good standing in the ScD Program. In the event that a student does not remain enrolled in the fashion described above, the School of Health Professions reserves the right to defer the student's graduation until the student enrolls in the number of hours missed in their clinical dissertation project process. In the event that the student does not comply with this policy, the program director will notify the student of the impending delay in curriculum completion and graduation.
Even though DPT, Master's and Bachelor's graduates can graduate with as few as 36, 48, and 70 semester hours, respectively, they will likely be required to enroll in more hours than the minimum requirement to complete their clinical projects. For example, if a Masters graduate finishes all of his or her course work but is required to continue the clinical project for 2 extra semesters, then the total number of hours compiled for graduation will be 48+6, or 54 semester hours. It is the responsibility of each student to enroll in required coursework each semester.
ScD Student Enrollment during the Graduation Semester
Students enrolled in the ScD Program in Physical Therapy at TTUHSC are required to enroll in at least one semester hour of course work (via HPPT 7104) in the semester that the student will graduate. In the event that a student does not enroll during the graduating semester, the School of Health Professions reserves the right to defer the student's graduation until the student meets this requirement.
Clinical Dissertation Project Tracks
Each ScD student will complete a clinical dissertation project. The student's participation in the clinical project may not be limited to pure clinical research. The student will have the option to select either the completion of a clinical research project (Clinical Research Track) or the development, delivery, and evaluation of a substantial clinical teaching project to other health care professional colleagues (Clinical Education Track).
Procedure
Students will conduct clinical dissertation projects as part of their ScD curriculum. Each clinical dissertation, whether involving clinical teaching or clinical research, must relate to physical therapy science or practice and be relevant to the student's program of studies. The clinical dissertation is intended to engage the students with proposal development, project design, ethics, identification of resources, and compliance with applicable TTUHSC policies and procedures. All clinical dissertations will have faculty supervision, the program director will be responsible for the ultimate review and approval of all clinical dissertation proposals prior to submission to the chair of the Rehabilitation Sciences Department.
Review
Student clinical dissertation activity is reviewed on an annual basis, normally as part of the program's academic course review. This review will address whether the dissertation activities meet the course objectives.
Clinical Project Timeline
  1. Each student must choose to either participate in the teaching curriculum track or the research curriculum track within 24 months of matriculation. It is recommended that this decision is not made until completing HPPT 7201 Introduction to Scholarship in Health Professions.
  2. After selecting the track, the student completes the ScD Clinical Dissertation Track Agreement Form and submits the form to his or her Dissertation Chair.
  3. After selecting a track, the student should begin to work with his or her Faculty Project Advisor to develop a topic for their clinical project. This will be an iterative process supported by assignments in the relevant clinical dissertation project courses, whether found in the research or teaching tracks.
  4. Students who choose the research track can either develop new research ideas in concert with a ScD faculty member or work on a faculty member's ongoing clinical research project if the faculty member agrees.
  5. Students are responsible to complete the courses associated with the track chosen. It is recommended that students enroll in either HPPT 7301 or HPPT 7305 first within the research and teaching tracks, respectively. These courses will be offered during Summer terms and are intended to serve as foundations for work throughout each track. The students will be capable of generating their preliminary project proposal upon completion of all the track courses. Students are not allowed to begin the dissertation process until all track courses are complete.
  6. Each student will select members for his or her Clinical Dissertation Project Committee. Each Committee will have at least three members: a Faculty Project Advisor (ScD faculty member), a content advisor (ScD faculty member), and a clinical advisor. The clinical advisor can be a member of the professional community who can provide advice, consultation, and professional input about the content and execution of the project. This individual can be a licensed health care practitioner (such as PT, OT, or MD) or doctorally-educated scientist in a related field (such as a biomechanist or physiologist).
  7. Once the topic is determined, the student will be required to complete the ScD Clinical Project Committee Form.
  8. In the event that a student elects to change tracks, he or she must submit a letter of petition regarding this change to his or her Faculty Project Advisor and the program director. Upon Faculty Project Advisor approval, the student will be required to resubmit the ScD Clinical Dissertation Project Proposal Packet with revised information. The student must recognize that he or she will be required to complete all course requirements for the new track.
  9. Once the track is initiated, each student is responsible for negotiating his or her specific calendar of deadlines for project components with his or her Faculty Project Advisor. Each component is then approved by the student's Faculty Project Advisor before the next component is submitted. This process will ensure that student and Faculty Project Advisor collaborate during each component of the project.

Clinical Research Track
This track will include courses that are essential to clinical research, including research design and selected topics in statistical analysis (HPPT 7301, 7306, 7000, 7104, 7201). In the research track, the clinical research project will either be original work drafted by the student, or a substantial component of a much larger multifaceted project crafted by members of the ScD Program faculty. The student will be required to engage in data collection and analysis, discussion and summary, and presentation of research results. The student will present the findings to a Dissertation Committee who will evaluate the project, presentation, and submission. 
Clinical Research Track project possibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Randomized Clinical Trial. This can be completed by a team of two ScD students, each focusing on a different aspect of the project.
2. Clinical Validity and Reliability Study. This can be completed by a team of two ScD students, each focusing on a different aspect of the project.
3. Pseudo-Experimental Designs
4. Multiple Single-Case Design
5. Single-Case Design and Systematic Review
6. Retrospective Outcome Analysis
7. Clinical Survey Research
8. Meta-Analyses
9. Applied Science Studies. This can be completed by a team of two ScD students, each focusing on a different aspect of the project, such as:
a. Gait
b. Landing Dynamics
c. Biomechanical Measures
d. Physiological Measures
e. Clinical Cadaveric Anatomy Studies
If the student selects "Single-Case Study" or "Multiple Case Design" or "Multiple Review Papers" as his or her research model, then in addition to submitting the manuscript for publication, it will normally be required that the manuscript be at least under review for publication in a peer-reviewed journal prior to graduation. Conversely, manuscripts using all other research models must be submitted, but are not required to be accepted, for publication prior to graduation.
A faculty member will be designated as the Principal Investigator (PI), and it is expected that the PI and student will strive to produce a clinical project that is worthy of consideration for publication and/or public presentation.
Clinical Research Track Responsibilities
Clinical Dissertation Chair (who will serve as Principal Investigator or PI):
  1. Will have successfully completed mandated research training programs.
  2. Will be a designated faculty member who is responsible for supervising student research.
  3. Will obtain approval of the student research proposal from the department chair and the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
  4. Will establish a budget for the project (to be paid from course fees).
  5. Will ensure that the budget for the project is reviewed by the program director and approved by the department chair.
  6. Will approve all research-track-related expenses and purchases. Since student research may be funded in part through course fees, the PI will ensure that such funds are used to support student research activity via departmental purchasing cards or purchase orders, only. Expenditures must cover only authorized expenses, and direct reimbursement of student research activities is not authorized.
  7. Will ensure research integrity.
  8. Will ensure that there is neither a conflict of interest nor inappropriate research activity sponsored with the resources of the TTUHSC, as defined under TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures.
  9. Will identify research projects for public presentation and/or publication, and suggest possible venues or publishing opportunities.
Student:
  1. Will have successfully completed a facility-mandated research training program.
  2. Will, under the supervision of the PI, select the research activity and develop a proposal and budget.
  3. Will submit to the PI the salient information required for the IRB submission.
  4. Will initiate and conduct such activity in a professional manner.
  5. Will be held accountable and responsible for any expenditures exceeding the budgeted funds.
  6. Will disseminate the results in an appropriate scholarly manner.
Program Director:
  1. Will ensure that course research requirements are in compliance with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies/procedures and accreditation standards.
  2. Will ensure that the PI understands the use of funding such as course fees, grants, etc.
  3. Will coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs when provided external funding, equipment, or supplies.
Clinical Teaching Track
This track will include courses that are essential to clinical teaching, including curriculum design and selected topics in evaluation of learning (HPPT 7304, 7305, 7000, 7104, 7201). If the student selects the education track, he or she will be required to review the current literature, develop the didactic and laboratory content, construct the audiovisual components, and create the handouts for a substantial educational course or module related to physical therapy. The student will be required to coordinate all aspects of the course development, including marketing, support services, material compilation, course evaluation development, and course presentation. The student will present a pilot of the course to his or her Dissertation Committee. After approval is granted from the Committee, the student will deliver the course at a predetermined site, evaluate the learning by course participants, will appraise evaluation outcomes, report course delivery, and evaluation outcomes, and modify the course based on the evaluation report. The student will present the findings to a Dissertation Committee, who will evaluate the project, presentation, and submission.
Clinical Teaching Track Models include, but are not limited to:
  1. Clinical Update Course
  2. ScD Course including Sakai component and contact time
  3. Technology-Based Education Module Project
  4. Short Course at State or National Meeting
  5. Entry-Level PT Course
  6. Advanced Master's Course
  7. University or College Course, such as anatomy or physiology
  8. Comprehensive Home Study Program
If the student selects "Comprehensive Home Study Program" or "Textbook" as his or her teaching model, then in addition to validating the manuscript, it must be accepted for peer-reviewed publication prior to graduation.
Clinical Teaching Track Responsibilities
Clinical Dissertation Chair:
  1. Must have experience in educational curriculum development, administration, and evaluation.
  2. Must be a designated faculty member who is responsible for supervising student teaching projects.
  3. Will ensure project integrity.
  4. Will ensure that there is neither a conflict of interest nor inappropriate activity sponsored with the resources of the TTUHSC, as defined under TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures.
  5. Will identify teaching projects for public presentation and/or publication, and suggest possible venues or publishing opportunities.
Student:
  1. Must, under the supervision of the PI, select the teaching activity and develop a proposal and budget.
  2. Must initiate and conduct such activity in a professional manner.
  3. Will be held accountable and responsible for any expenditures exceeding the budgeted funds when available.
  4. Will disseminate the results in an appropriate scholarly manner.
Program Director:
  1. Will ensure that course research requirements are in compliance with the institutional policies/procedures and accreditation standards.
  2. Will ensure that the PI understands the use of funding such as course fees, grants, etc.
  3. Will coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs when provided external funding, equipment, or supplies.
Qualifying Examination
The new Qualifying Examination process will include (3) Phases:
Phase 1 = Content
Phase 2 = Application
Phase 3 = Query
The qualifying examination is one of the major features of the ScD program. It encompasses core, clinical, and elective areas of emphasis as indicated in the official plan of study. The examination requires synthesis, evaluation, and application of knowledge acquired during the course of study in the ScD program, including all formal and informal educational experiences. Consequently, satisfactory performance in ScD coursework does not necessarily guarantee successful performance on any portion of the qualifying examination. Students are NOT required to complete Phases I, II, and III in succession. Students are allowed to complete all three phases in ANY order. Students will sit for the ScD Qualifying Examination Phases I and II after successfully completing all relevant coursework. Each student must pass all components of the three phases of the qualifying examination with at least the minimal grade described below prior to defending his or her clinical dissertation.
Phase I: Content
Phase I will assess the student's synthesis and application of core coursework, chosen electives, and clinical course content. There are three options available for the successful completion of Phase I.
Option 1: Combined Examination and Written Essay Examination
  • IAOM-US Certification (Clinical course assessment)
  • ScD Elective & Core Course Content Essay Examination (4 hours)
Option 2: ScD Written Essay Examination
  • ScD Clinical Course Content Essay Examination (4 hours)
  • ScD Elective & Core Course Content Essay Examination (4 hours)
In each of the options noted, the student's understanding of core and elective curricula will be assessed via a written essay examination. The options also provide two means to assess each ScD student's understanding of clinical courses. Option 1 allows a student to complete certification as part of the assessment. This certification process requires both a written assessment of knowledge and practical assessment of skills. If a student enters the ScD program with an IAOM certification or as a Fellow in orthopedic manual physical therapy, he or she will only be required to complete the written essay examination covering the core and elective curriculum in Option 1.
Phase I Examinations
Examinations will be scheduled with each individual student as needed.
Phase I Passing Score
Each ScD student must achieve the following minimum scores on each component of the qualifying examination in order to earn a comprehensive passing score:
  • Written Essay Examination Core and Elective Courses: Pass, Remediate, Fail
  • Written Essay Examination (if selected) Clinical Courses: Pass, Remediate, Fail
  • Certification score: as per International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine-US clinical exam grading standards
If a student does not achieve a passing score on any examination component, then he or she must retake the component within a year of the previous unsuccessful attempt. A student can retake each examination component only one time in an attempt to obtain a passing score. The passing score on a retake of a particular component will replace the previous non-passing score for that component. If the student does not pass a particular component of Phase I on the retake of that component, then the student will be given the option to complete a comprehensive oral examination clinical, core, and elective material. This examination will be conducted in front of a board of no less than three ScD faculty members of the program director's choosing. The oral examination will be graded using a standardized rubric. If the student does not pass the oral examination, the student is subject to dismissal from the program. Refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below for additional information.
Phase II: Application
Phase II of the Qualifying Examination is a comprehensive "closed book" and "closed note" oral examination testing the student's knowledge and clinical application of information from 6 clinical courses (HPPT 6321-6363) and the three core courses (HPPT 6406, 6314, 6317). The oral examination will occur in a private room with access to necessary clinical equipment necessary to perform a subject (simulated patient) evaluation and treatment. There are two options for the completion of the ScD Qualifying Examination Phase II.
Option 1: ScD student practices in an outpatient orthopaedic setting
Option 2: ScD student practices in a non-orthopaedic setting (Area of practice to be determined by the advisor and ScD student).
Phase II Examinations
Students in the ScD program who intend to sit for Phase II must notify his or her advisor regarding these intentions.
The examination will be administered in one session over the course of not more than three hours on one day. The student will complete the following process for two separate cases or questions. The cases/questions will be specific to the chosen area of practice as well as the 6 clinical courses included in Phase I of the ScD Qualifying Examination. Emphasis will be made on the clinical reasoning associated with the decision-making process. Phase II can be accomplished via teleconference or in Lubbock TX. A student will be given credit for completing Phase II if they enter the program as a Fellow in orthopedic manual physical therapy.
Phase II Passing Score
A 2-member panel will deliver the oral examination. One member of the panel will be faculty in the ScD program, while the second member can hold a faculty position or be a clinician with expertise in the area tested. Each panel member will grade the exam and vote "Pass" or "Remediate." "Remediate" indicates that the final grade decision (pass or fail) will be deferred until additional information can be obtained. A split vote defaults to "Remediate". Each ScD student must achieve the "Pass" score in order to complete Phase II of the ScD Qualifying Examination.
The remediation examination will take place no later than the subsequent semester after the student is notified about results of the oral examination. The student may repeat the examination component that was not passed on the first attempt. This repeat cannot be performed any earlier than the semester following the failed attempts. The remediation examination will be scheduled and coordinated by the ScD student advisor. If the ScD student receives a grade of 'Fail' during the remediation he or she will normally be dismissed from the program. Refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below for additional information.
Phase III: Query
All students are required to complete the ScD Clinical Dissertation Proposal process plus an "open book" take-home examination testing the student's knowledge and application of information from the two applicable track courses (7201 and either HPPT 7301 and 7306 or HPPT 7305 and 7304).
Phase III Assessments and Passing Score
Students in the ScD program who intend to complete the ScD Clinical Dissertation Proposal and the Take-Home Examination must notify his or her advisor regarding these intentions.
ScD Dissertation Proposal is graded as Pass-Fail. With a "Pass" grade, the student can proceed to complete the project and dissertation delivery. With a "Fail" grade, the student can repeat the dissertation proposal process one time in a subsequent semester. A student who fails to pass the proposal a second time will be subject to dismissal from the program (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below).
The Take-Home Examination must be completed at least six weeks prior to the defense of the clinical dissertation. The student will be allowed to use any resource available to completely answer the questions posed. The student will be required to provide references (in AMA format) for any source used. Sources may include but are not limited to, material provided during the clinical track courses. Material other than course material can be used to answer questions.
Examination Grading
Grading of the take-home examination will be performed by the instructor of the respective teaching or research courses. The take-home examination will be graded on the following scale: Pass, Remediate, Fail.  If required, the remediation exam will take place within two weeks of being notified of the results. The student will complete the exam component that was not passed on the first attempt. The remediation exam will be scheduled and coordinated by the chair of the dissertation committee. The remediation exam normally will be an oral examination that normally will require no longer than one hour complete (not exceeding two hours). If the ScD student receives a grade of 'Fail' during the remediation he or she may be dismissed from the Program. Refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below for additional information. Each ScD student must achieve the "Pass" score in order to complete Phase III of the ScD Qualifying Examination.
Doctor of Science Clinical Dissertation Defense
Students in the ScD program who intend to complete the ScD Clinical Dissertation defense must complete the defense process by the following dates corresponding to the semester during which they intend to defend:
Defense Semester Deadline for Defense Deadline for Submission to Department Chair*
Spring Semester: March 15 / April 1
Summer Semester: June 15 / July 1
Fall Semester: October 15 / November 1
*Submitted by the Project Chair to the ScD program director, who submits to the DRS department chair.
The ScD Dissertation Defense is graded as Pass-Fail.
Procedure When the ScD Clinical Dissertation Is Completed Successfully.
If the dissertation is completed successfully (receiving a "Pass" grade), the chair of the dissertation committee will send the completed Dissertation document with signed title page to the dean of the SHP, via the ScD program director and DRS chair, that the student has completed all program requirements successfully and is recommended for graduation. Following approval by the Dean, the student may then proceed with graduation.
Procedure When the ScD Clinical Dissertation Is Not Completed Successfully.
If the dissertation is not completed successfully, the department chair and dean of the School will be notified that the student not be recommended for graduation for that semester. The student may repeat the dissertation defense process one time in a subsequent semester. A student who fails to pass the defense a second time will be subject to dismissal from the program (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below).

Academic and Conduct Policies
Residency Enrollment Requirements
Students are required to attend a minimum of 6 semester hours per semester during at least two consecutive semesters within their course of study. In the event that a student does not comply with this policy, the School of Health Professions reserves the right to defer the student's graduation until the student meets this requirement.
Academic Progress Requirements
While students are completing their course work in the ScD program, they are required to successfully complete (i.e., receive a course grade of "C" or higher, or "P") at least nine curricular credit hours within each academic year (defined as consecutive Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). All curricular degree requirements must be completed in no more than seven years. A student who fails to meet this academic progress requirement is subject to dismissal (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below). Deviation from this academic progress schedule requires prior approval from the program director. An approved Leave of Absence exempts the student from this academic progress requirement during the interval of the absence.
"Incomplete" and "In Progress" Course Grade Assignment
The symbol I (incomplete) may be given by an instructor when a student's work in a course has not been completed at the end of a semester and when the failure to complete the work has been due to causes beyond the student's control. It is not used as a substitute for an F (failure).
Refer to the following link for the School policy regarding grade assignments of "I" and "PR": https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx
To resolve the "In Progress" or "Incomplete" grade assignment, the student must meet in person or communicate via phone conversation or electronically with the course instructor(s) for the applicable course(s). The course instructor(s) will assign, in writing, deadlines for completion of all academic work required of the student to complete the course. A student who does not resolve a "PR" or "I" course grade by the deadline established by the instructor will be subject to receiving a course grade of "F".
It is the student's responsibility to request and submit information to the course coordinator to be considered for a "PR" or "I" course grade assignment. If a "PR" or "I" course grade is assigned by the instructor, the final due date for completing all course work will be established by the course instructor and communicated to the student in writing. The student's responsibilities regarding a request for an "I" or "PR" grade assignment include the following:
  1. The student must notify the course instructor that he or she seeks a grade assignment of "I" or "PR".
  2. This notification must be provided in written form via email no closer than 10-days prior to the Last Day of Class.
  3. If the student does not comply with this responsibility, then a grade of zero will be assigned to all unsubmitted work.
For both the "PR" and "I" course grade assignments, it is the student's responsibility to submit all required course work to the course instructor by the established deadlines. A grade of zero will be assigned for all late work.
Midterm Academic Warning Letters
The program director of the ScD Program will issue a midterm academic warning letter via email to a student who is in poor academic standing during the respective semester
Requirements for Graduation
Each ScD student must fulfill all of the following requirements in order to graduate:
  1. Successful completion of all required coursework. This includes a minimum of 36 hours for student in possession of an entry-level DPT degree (the final number of hours required for the DPT graduate is decided by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis), a minimum of 48 semester credit hours for the student with a Master's degree and a minimum of 70 credit hours for students with a Bachelors-only graduate degree (see post-professional curriculum).
  2. Successful completion of the Qualifying Examination Process.
  3. Successful completion of the Clinical Dissertation Project.
  4. Final approval of candidacy for graduation by program director.
Academic Probation
A student will be placed on Academic Probation for any of the following reasons:
  1. Failure to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 or higher following completion of the initial two semesters in the ScD program, and at the completion of all subsequent semesters. Cumulative GPA is calculated at the end of each semester. For a student to return to good academic standing and be removed from Academic Probation in this situation, the student must raise his or her cumulative GPA to 2.70 or higher within 15 credit hours or three semesters, whichever comes first. A student who fails to come off Academic Probation as specified above is subject to dismissal on grounds of academic deficiency (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below).
  2. Receiving a course grade of "In Progress (PR)" or "Incomplete (I)" in two or more courses during any one semester. For a student to return to good academic standing and be removed from Academic Probation in this situation, the student must resolve the "In Progress" or "Incomplete" status in the applicable course(s) by the end of a semester that is specified in writing by the course instructor. To resolve the "In Progress" or "Incomplete" and return to good academic standing (i.e., be removed from Academic Probation), the student must meet in person or communicate via phone conversation or electronically with the course instructor(s) for the applicable course(s). The course instructor(s) will assign academic work to the student, including, but not limited to, all unfinished academic work as deemed necessary by the instructor(s) to complete the courses. A student who does not resolve a "PR" or "I" course grade will be subject to receiving a course grade of "F".
A student who has been on Academic Probation twice and subsequently meets any of the criteria for Academic Probation a third time is subject to dismissal on grounds of academic deficiency (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below).
Recycling
Recycling in the ScD program is the re-taking of an entire course in which the student received a course grade of "D". For a course to be successfully recycled, a passing course grade of "C" or better must be obtained the next time the course is offered in the curriculum. A student who does not successfully recycle a course is subject to dismissal on grounds of academic deficiency (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below). A student enrolled in the ScD program is allowed to recycle only one course.
A student who receives a course grade of "F" is subject to dismissal on grounds of academic deficiency without the option of recycling (refer to "Dismissal from the Ph.D. Program" section below).
Recycling Requirements Document
Criteria that constitute successful recycling of a course will be specified in a "Recycling Requirements Document" that will be written by the program director. The program director and department chair will sign the document. The student is required to read and sign the document, as an acknowledgment that the student is cognizant of the criteria for successful recycling. If the student refuses to sign the Recycling Requirements Document or refuses to recycle, the student is subject to dismissal (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below). Copies of the signed Recycling Requirements Document will be provided to the student, program director, department chair, Director of the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, and the student's academic advisor.
Other Considerations With Respect to Recycling
Both the original and recycled course grades are used to calculate cumulative GPA, and both course grades will appear on the student's transcript.
A student enrolled in the ScD program is allowed to recycle only one course. After successfully recycling, a student is subject to dismissal if there are any instances of subsequent academic deficiency, including a cumulative GPA below 2.70 or receiving a course grade of "D" or "F" in any course (refer to "Dismissal from the ScD Program" section below).
It is the student's responsibility to obtain financial information and pay for additional expenses that will be incurred as a result of recycling.
Student Misconduct
Student misconduct can lead to dismissal with no opportunity to remediate or recycle. For policies and procedures related to behavioral deficiencies and misconduct, refer to the TTUHSC Student Handbook, available at the following website: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/student-affairs/handbook.aspx 
Dismissal from the ScD Program
A student enrolled in the ScD program is subject to dismissal for any of the following reasons:
1. Poor academic performance:
a. Failure to raise cumulative GPA to 2.70 or higher within 15 credit hours or three semesters (whichever comes first) after being placed on Academic Probation for having a cumulative GPA below 2.70.
b. A course grade of "F" in any course.
c. Failure to successfully Recycle a course, or refusal to sign a "Recycling Requirements Document" or to agree to recycle a course (see section on "Recycling").
d. Receiving a course grade of "D" or "F" in any course after successfully recycling a course.
e. Failure to maintain the academic standard of a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher in any semester after successfully recycling a course.
2. Failure to complete the curriculum within the maximum allowable time. The student has a maximum of seven academic years to complete the program.
3. Failure to complete nine credit hours in each academic year (defined as consecutive Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters).
4. Failure to successfully pass the Qualifying Examination as described in the "Qualifying Examination" section above.
5. Failure to Pass the ScD Clinical Dissertation Proposal process after a second attempt.
6. Failure to Pass the ScD Clinical Dissertation Defense process after a second attempt.
7. Failure to comply with ScD program Leave of Absence Procedures in the event that the student does not enroll in courses during any given semester.
8. Based upon a complaint of misconduct as set forth in the TTUHSC Student Handbook.
Dismissal procedures will occur in compliance with the dismissal policy established by the School of Health Professions. Refer to the School of Health Professions policy entitled "Academic Dismissal", available at the following website:
https://hscweb.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/current/policies.aspx