Curriculum for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program curriculum consists of the following:

• 121 credit hours of didactic and clinical education
• 34 months of continuous enrollment
• 36 weeks of full-time clinical experiences

A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained during enrollment in the program. 

The following degree plan is required to be completed by all students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

Year One Fall

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 71032	Human Anatomy I (Upper Extremity)	2
PHTH 71042	Human Anatomy II (Lower Extremity)	2
PHTH 71242	Movement Science I (Biomechanics and MS Gait)	2
PHTH 71333	Introductory PT Skills (ROM, MMT, Massage, Transfers, Vitals, Gait Aids)	3
PHTH 71434	Musculoskeletal Disorders I (Upper Extremity)	4
PHTH 71443	Musculoskeletal Disorders II (Lower Extremity)	3
PHTH 71731	Professional Issues I	1
PHTH 71831	Clinical Reasoning I	1
Total Hours		18

Year One Spring

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 71052	Human Anatomy III (Spine)	2
PHTH 71132	Pathophysiology I (Musculoskeletal Disorders)	2
PHTH 71162	Pharmacology I (Musculoskeletal and Cardio-pulmonary Disorders)	2
PHTH 71232	Exercise Physiology I (Musculoskeletal)	2
PHTH 71454	Musculoskeletal Disorders III (Lumbar Spine and Pelvis)	4
PHTH 71463	Musculoskeletal Disorders IV (Cervico-Thoracic Spine)	3
PHTH 71741	Professional Issues II	2
PHTH 71841	Clinical Reasoning II	1
Total Hours		18

Year One Summer

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 71344	Therapeutic Intervention I	3
PHTH 71362	Psychosocial Aspects	2
PHTH 71473	Musculoskeletal Disorders V (Special Topics)	3
PHTH 71935	Clinical Experience I (OPD - 8 weeks)	5
PHTH 7XXXX	MSK Imaging in Physical Therapy	1
Total Hours		14

Year Two Fall

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 72072	Neuroscience	2
PHTH 72142	Pathophysiology II (Neuromuscular Disorders)	2
PHTH 72171	Pharmacology II (Neuromuscular Disorders)	1
PHTH 72251	Movement Science II	1
PHTH 72263	Movement Science III	3
PHTH 72352	Mobility and Assistive Equipment	2
PHTH 72533	Neuromuscular Disorders I	3
PHTH 72851	Clinical Reasoning III (IPE Clinics)	1
Total Hours		15

Year Two Spring

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 72062	Human Anatomy IV (Organ Systems)	2
PHTH 72152	Pathophysiology III (Cardio-pulmonary Disorders)	2
PHTH 72543	Neuromuscular Disorders II	3
PHTH 72552	Neuromuscular Disorders III (Geriatrics)	3
PHTH 72632	Acute Care I	2
PHTH 72642	Acute Care II	2
PHTH 72653	Integumentary Disorders	2
PHTH 72861	Clinical Reasoning IV (IPE Clinics)	1
Total Hours		17

Year Two Summer

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 71761	Research Principles and Evidence-based Practice	1
PHTH 72563	Neuromuscular Disorders IV (Pediatrics)	3
PHTH 72751	Professional Issues III	1
PHTH 72871	Clinical Reasoning V (IPE Clinic)	1
PHTH 72947	Clinical Experience II (Neuro+/or Acute)	7
PHTH 733831	Spanish for PTs	3
Total Hours		13-161

Year Three Fall

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 73372	Health Promotion and Wellness	2
PHTH 73881	Clinical Reasoning VI (Debriefing and Case Studies)	1
PHTH 73957	Clinical Experience III (Neuro+/or Acute - 10 weeks)	7
PHTH 734931	Strength and Conditioning	3
PHTH 736731	Women's Health	3
PHTH 737931	Service Learning	3
PHTH 738931	Directed Study	3
PHTH 739831	Research Proposal	3
Total Hours		10-131

Year Three Spring

Course ID	Course Title	Semester Credit Hours
PHTH 73773	Administration and Healthcare Management	3
PHTH 73782	Capstone (Comprehensive Exam /Board Prep)	2
PHTH 73965	Clinical Experience IV (Elective - 8 weeks)	5
PHTH 732731	Trauma Physical Therapy	3
PHTH 734831	Manual Therapy	3
PHTH 734931	Strength and Conditioning	3
PHTH 735731	Advanced Pediatrics	3
PHTH 735831	Advanced Geriatrics	3
PHTH 736731	Women's Health	3
PHTH 737931	Service Learning	3
PHTH 738931	Directed Study	3
PHTH 739931	Research Project	3
Total Hours		10-131

Curriculum Summary

Semester	Hours
Year One Fall	18
Year One Spring	18
Year One Summer	14
Year Two Fall	15
Year Two Spring	18
Year Two Summer	12-15
Year Three Fall	8-11
Year Three Spring	12-15
Full-time Clinical Education Experiences (36 weeks)	24 (counted in above semesters)
Coursework	97 (counted in above semesters)
Total Program Hours	121

Notes

¹ Students must take two three-hour elective courses for a total of six hours of electives. The elective course offerings begin in the summer semester of the second year of the program and are offered through the final spring semester of the third year. The availability of elective courses will depend on student interest in the available topics. The total hours for each of those semesters will vary based on the semesters in which the student chooses to complete the electives.

A grade of C or better must be achieved in all courses and no less than 80% must be achieved on practical exams.

All students in the UAMS College of Health Professions must complete all Interprofessional Education activities.

Learn more about UAMS Interprofessional Education.

Students must meet the following requirements to complete the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

• Pass all required courses in the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Complete Interprofessional Education requirements.

We believe our systems-based curriculum enables students to apply didactic content to clinical practice in a more timely manner. In addition, our focus on active learning and the use of the flipped classroom fosters independence as a learner.

Since our inception, our program has had an overall 100% pass rate on the National Physical Therapy Examination. We also have a 100% employment rate among our graduates.

The list of required textbooks is published on the UAMS Bookstore website in compliance with Arkansas Code Annotated section 6-60-601.