Curriculum

ATTENTION: Orientation and Semester I (Summer 2025) start dates are still to be determined (likely mid-late May 2025).

Overview

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is a professional and not a research degree. Students in the program will be involved in evidence-based practice/translational research projects as part of coursework and clinical internship.

Students are expected to complete the program in three years while attending full-time as there is no part-time program. The minimum number of units for the DPT program of study is 122 units and the maximum number of units allowed is 122 units.

For a general overview of our curriculum, see the DPT Curriculum Systems Continuum (pdf).

Sequence

Summer Semester I (8 Units)

• DPT 700 Foundations of Physical Therapy Evaluation I (3)
• DPT 725 Clinical Anatomy I (4)
• DPT 740 Professional Skills Development (1)

Fall Semester I (16 Units)

• DPT 710 Foundations of Physical Therapy Evaluation II (4)
• DPT 726 Clinical Anatomy II (4)
• DPT 741 Professional Skills Development II (1)
• DPT 750 Concepts in Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (4)
• DPT 881 Evidence-Based Practice I: Principles and Clinical Applications (3)

Spring Semester I (19 Units)

• DPT 742 Professional Skills Development III (1)
• DPT 760 Neurosciences (4)
• DPT 782 Therapeutic Exercise (3)
• DPT 820 Musculoskeletal Therapeutics I (4)
• DPT 882 Evidence-Based Practice II: Research Applications (3)
• DPT 886 Functional Neuro-Biomechanical Relationships (4)

Summer II (10 Units)

Session 1:

• DPT 857 Prosthetics and Orthotics (2)
• DPT 780 Therapeutic Modalities (3)
• DPT 887 Professional Development in Physical Therapy Practice (2) Cr/NC

Session 2:

• DPT 801 Clerkship (3) Cr/NC

Fall Semester II (17 Units)

• DPT 802 Life Cycle I (Geriatrics) (2)
• DPT 821 Musculoskeletal Therapeutics II (4)
• DPT 830 Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics (4)
• DPT 835 Neurophysiological Therapeutics I (4)
• DPT 875 Medical Therapeutics in Physical Therapy Practice (Acute Care) (3)

Spring Semester II (16 Units)

• DPT 784 Advanced Therapeutic Exercise (2)
• DPT 803 Life Cycle II (Pediatrics) (2)
• DPT 836 Neurophysiological Therapeutics II (3)
• DPT 878 Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation (2)
• DPT 880 Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy (3)
• DPT 888 Evidence-Based Practice III: Advanced Clinical Reasoning (3)

Summer II (10 Units)

Session 1:

• DPT 822 Interventions in Musculoskeletal Therapeutics (3)
• DPT 837 Interventions in Neuromuscular Therapeutics (Pediatrics) (3)
• DPT 868 Physical Therapy Organization and Administration (3)

Session 2:

• DPT 885 Evidence-Based Practice IV: Case Presentations (1)

Fall Semester III (13 Units)

• DPT 889 Doctoral Project A (3) Cr/NC
• DPT 895 Clinical Internship (10) Cr/NC

Spring Semester III (13 Units)

• DPT 889 Doctoral Project B (3) Cr/NC
• DPT 895 Clinical Internship (10) Cr/NC

Course Descriptions

• Course Descriptions (pdf, updated August 01, 2024)