ScDPT Curriculum

The following requirements must be satisfied to earn the Doctor of Physical Therapy Science degree

• Satisfactory completion of 92 Semester Hours (SH), which must include:
  • 48 SH of Core Courses
  • 13-14 SH of Advanced Clinical Practice
  • 30-31 SH of Electives
• Students may transfer up to 34 graduate SH if a post-professional graduate degree has been completed.
• Students may transfer up to 6 credit hours from graduate work at other universities or colleges if a graduate degree has not been completed.
• Students must complete all courses with grades of “B” or above in core and clinical concentration courses, and “C” or above in other courses.
• Satisfactory completion of a research project and submission of a publishable manuscript to an appropriate peer-reviewed publication
• The program of study must be completed within 7 years from the date of matriculation.
• All students must have a written plan for completion of the program approved by the program director.
• Graduate student progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester, including an evaluation of the quality of academic work and progress toward the degree. Minimum criteria must be met to avoid probation or dismissal.

Year 1 (Summer/Fall) Courses		Credit
PT 801 OR	Theoretical Framework for Evaluation/Treatment Neurol. Conditions**	2 or 3
PT 803	Theoretical Bases for Orthopaedic PT***
PT 813	Education Theory*	2
PT 832	Family and the Individual with Special Needs	2
PT 833	Professional Issues*	1
PT 850	Scientific Communication	1
PT 861	Research Design*	2
PT 881	Health Care Management*	2
	Total	12,13

 

Year 1 (Winter/Spring) Courses		Credit
PT 812 OR PT 891	Advanced Neurological PT Techniques** Applied Skeletal Muscle Physiology	3
PT 804	Orthopaedic Clinical Medicine Seminar***	3
PT 860	Biostatistics for Physical Therapists*	3
PT 862	Practicum	3
PT 871	Balance Disorders	2
	Total	14

 

Year 2 (Summer/Fall) Courses		Credit
HIM 821	Health Information Systems	3
PT 900 OR	Issues in Motor Control and Motor Learning	3
PT 901	Cultural Diversity and Rehabilitation Issues	2
PT 902	Clinical Science I*	3
PT 903	Clinical Residency Seminar*	1
PT 904	Health Communication: Counseling Patients and Personnel	2
PT 913	Special Topics in Physical Therapy (electives)	2-3
	Total	14

 

Year 2 (Winter/Spring) Courses		Credit
PT 811 OR PT 894	Evaluative Procedures in Pediatric PT Dissection Anatomy	2
PT 802 OR PT 831 OR PT 836	Developmental Biomechanics Assistive Technology Wellness and Exercise	2
HSA 877	Health Care Economics	3
PT 905	Clinical Science II*	2
PT 906	Age, Exercise and Rehabilitation	3
	Total	14

 

Year 3 (Summer/Fall) Courses		Credit
HSA 811	Fundamentals of Health Policy	3
PT 895 OR PT 896	Sensory Integrative and Perceptual Motor Disorders Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Treatment of Spine	3
PT 913	Special Topics in Physical Therapy (electives)	3
NSG 914	Leadership in Health Care	3
	Total	12

 

Year 3 (Winter/Spring) Courses		Credit
PT 907	Clinical Residency I* (480 clinical hours)	8
PT 908	Complex Clinical Management I*	3
PT 909	Clinical Outcomes Project I*	3
	Total	14

 

Year 4 (Summer/Fall) Courses		Credit
PT 910	Clinical Residency II* (480 clinical hours)	8
PT 911	Complex Clinical Management II*	3
PT 912	Clinical Outcomes Project II*	3
	Total	14

 

Total credit hours after entry level degree: 92
Total credit hours after post-professional MS degree: 56

* Core courses
** Required course for Neurological Concentration
*** Required course for Musculoskeleletal Concentration

Contact:

Pamela D. Ritzline, Ed.D., P.T.
Director of Graduate Program
Department of Physical Therapy

The University of Tennessee
Health Science Center
930 Madison – Suite 640
Memphis, TN 38163
901.448.5888
pritzlin@uthsc.edu