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 15-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 III (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 6000 | Psychosocial Aspects of Health Care | 4 sh |
| DPT 6010 | The Physical Therapy Profession in Health Care | 2 sh |
| DPT 6020 | Principles of Teaching and Learning | 1 sh |
Module II (12 weeks)
| DPT 6030 | Human Anatomy I | 5 sh |
| DPT 6050 | Human Physiology and Pathophysiology I | 5 sh |
| DPT 6070 | Foundations of Patient Mobility | 4 sh |
| DPT 6080 | Biophysical Agents in Pain | 4 sh |
| DPT 6111 | Research Design I | 1.5 sh |
| DPT 6121 | Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise I | 1 sh |
Module III (12 weeks)
| DPT 6040 | Human Anatomy II | 5 sh |
| DPT 6060 | Human Physiology and Pathophysiology II | 5 sh |
| DPT 6090 | Introduction to Clinical Measurement | 3 sh |
| DPT 6112 | Research Design II | 1.5 sh |
| DPT 6122 | Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise II | 1 sh |
| DPT 6140 | Foundations of Biomechanics | 2 sh |
| DPT 6150 | Foundations of Musculoskeletal Management | 2 sh |
Module IV (17 weeks; including one weeklong break)
| DPT 6160 | Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction I | 7 sh |
| DPT 6170 | Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction II | 6 sh |
| DPT 6180 | Biomechanics and Management of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction III | 6 sh |
| DPT 6123 | Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise III | 1 |
| DPT 6200 | Clinical Imaging | 1 sh |
| DPT 6223 | Research Design III | 2 sh |
| DPT 6220 | Therapeutic Pharmacokinetics | 1 sh |
| DPT 6301 | Clinical Education I | 2 sh |
Year II
Module V (8 weeks)
Module VI (15 weeks)
| DPT 7010 | Neuroscience | 11 sh |
| DPT 7020 | Management of Neuromuscular Disorders | 12 sh |
| DPT 7120 | Motor Control, Motor Learning, and Reflexes | 1 sh |
| DPT 7124 | Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise IV | 1 sh |
Module VII (14 weeks)
| DPT 7160 | Physiology of Exercise | 3 sh |
| DPT 7170 | Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction | 7 sh |
| DPT 7302 | Clinical Education II | 0.5 |
| DPT 7125 | Clinical Reasoning and Therapeutic Exercise V | 1 sh |
| DPT 7140 | Management of the Pediatric Client | 4 sh |
| DPT 7150 | Geriatric Health and Wellness | 4 sh |
Module VIII (8 weeks)
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 8000 | Clinical Decision Making with Complex Patient (Client) | 3 sh |
| DPT 8020 | Principles of Administration and Management | 4 sh |
| DPT 8030 | Directed Research I | 1 sh |
| DPT 8050 | Prosthetics and Orthotics | 3 sh |
| DPT 8060 | Management of Integumentary Disorders | 2 sh |
| DPT 8303 | Clinical Education III | 0.5 |
| DPT 8170 | Professional Development | 2 sh |
Module X (7 weeks)
| DPT 8200 | Advanced Clinical Practice Selective Tracks | 6 sh |
Module XI (8 weeks)
Module XII (16 weeks)
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: 160