Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

The DPT program’s unique modular curriculum is designed to integrate and coordinate courses and modules in a sequence that enhances learning. Students in the program have the opportunity to practice specific learning objectives in a variety of clinical practice settings. The program emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-evaluation on the part of the graduate and stresses excellence in clinical skills, compassionate care and leadership in the profession.

The Elon DPT program entails 36 months of full-time study. Didactic education (which includes classroom and laboratories to practice procedures on classmates and clients) with integrated clinical education assignments in a variety of clinical settings occurs throughout the three years.

Year I (beginning January)

Year I consists of a four-week module followed by two 12-week modules focused on foundational basic and clinical science content. After a two-week summer break, DPT students return for an 17-week module (including one weeklong break) focused on clients with musculoskeletal conditions.

Year II

In Year II, an eight-week full-time clinical experience (Clinical Practicum I) is followed by a 16-week module focused on neurosciences and clients with neuromuscular conditions. Students then complete a 14-week module focused on the physiology of exercise, clinical management of pediatric and geriatric clients, and individuals with cardiopulmonary dysfunction. The year culminates with a second eight-week full-time clinical experience (Clinical Practicum II).

Year III

In Year III, students first complete a 12-week module (IX) focused on patients with complex conditions, managing clients with prosthetic and orthotic needs, and integumentary disorders. Students also learn about the principles of administration and supervision and take a professional development and board-preparation course. During Module X (seven weeks), students participate in clinical practice selective courses preparing them for their final two clinical experiences (Clinical Practicum 3 (eight-weeks) and Clinical Practicum IV (16-weeks)).

Integrated throughout the curriculum are courses focused on research skills and on the development of clinical reasoning and therapeutic interventions.

DPT students return to campus for one week of electives and the graduation ceremony in December.

Year I

Module I (4 weeks)

DPT 6000Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care

4 sh

DPT 6010The Physical Therapy Profession in Health Care

2 sh

DPT 6020Principles of Teaching and Learning

1 sh

Module II (12 weeks)

DPT 6030Human Anatomy I

5 sh

DPT 6050Human Physiology and Pathophysiology I

5 sh

DPT 6070Foundations of Patient Mobility

4 sh

DPT 6080Biophysical Agents in Pain

4 sh

DPT 6111Research Design I

1.5 sh

DPT 6121Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise I

1 sh

Module III (12 weeks)

DPT 6040Human Anatomy II

5 sh

DPT 6060Human Physiology and Pathophysiology II

5 sh

DPT 6090Introduction to Clinical Measurement

3 sh

DPT 6112Research Design II

1.5 sh

DPT 6122Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise II

1 sh

DPT 6140Foundations of Biomechanics

2 sh

DPT 6150Foundations of Muscoloskeletal Management

2 sh

Module IV (17 weeks; including one weeklong break)

DPT 6160Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction I

7 sh

DPT 6170Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction II

6 sh

DPT 6180Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction III

6 sh

DPT 6123Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise III

1

DPT 6200Clinical Imaging

1 sh

DPT 6223Research Design III

2 sh

DPT 6220Therapeutic Pharmacokinetics

1 sh

DPT 6301Clinical Education I

2 sh

Year II

Module V (8 weeks)

DPT 7980Clinical Practicum I

4 sh

Module VI (15 weeks)

DPT 7010Neuroscience

11 sh

DPT 7020Management of Neuromuscular Disorders

12 sh

DPT 7124Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise IV

1 sh

Module VII (14 weeks)

DPT 7160Physiology of Exercise

3 sh

DPT 7170Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction

7 sh

DPT 7302Clinical Education II

0.5

DPT 7125Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise V

1 sh

Module VIII (8 weeks)

DPT 7981Clinical Practicum II

4 sh

Year III

Module IX (12 weeks; including three weeklong breaks)

This module starts at the end of Year II and ends at the beginning of Year III.

DPT 8000Clinical Decision Making with Complex Patient (Client)

3 sh

DPT 8020Principles of Administration and Management

4 sh

DPT 8303Clinical Education III

0.5

DPT 8170Professional Development

2

Module X (7 weeks)

DPT 8200Advanced Clinical Practice Selective Tracks

6 sh

Module XI (8 weeks)

DPT 8980Clinical Practicum III

4 sh

Module XII (16 weeks)

DPT 8981Clinical Practicum IV

8 sh

DPT 8999Directed Research II

1 sh

Module XIII

Electives

Students are offered a selected topic presented in the style of a continuation education course. Also, a licensure review course is presented. Participation in Electives week is required.

Total Credit Hours: 161

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