Program Curriculum

curriculum

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program curriculum will consist of the following:

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

DPT Curriculum

Year One Fall

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5101Human Anatomy I (Upper Extremity)2
PHTH 5102Human Anatomy II (Lower Extremity)2
PHTH 5123Movement Science I (Biomechanics and MS Gait)2
PHTH 5131Introductory PT Skills3
PHTH 5141Musculoskeletal Disorders I (Upper Extremity)4
PHTH 5142Musculoskeletal Disorders II (Lower Extremity)3
PHTH 5171Professional Issues I1
PHTH 5181Clinical Reasoning I1
Total Hours18

Year One Spring

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5103Human Anatomy III (Spine)2
PHTH 5111Pathophysiology I (Musculoskeletal Disorders)2
PHTH 5114Pharmacology I (Musculoskeletal and Cardio-pulmonary Disorders)2
PHTH 5121Exercise Physiology I (Musculoskeletal)2
PHTH 5143Musculoskeletal Disorders III (Lumbar Spine and Pelvis)4
PHTH 5144Musculoskeletal Disorders IV (Cervico-Thoracic Spine)3
PHTH 5172Professional Issues II2
PHTH 5182Clinical Reasoning II1
Total Hours18

Year One Summer

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5132Therapeutic Intervention I (EPA)4
PHTH 5191Clinical Experience I (OPD - 8 weeks)5
PHTH 5235Psychosocial Aspects2
PHTH 5245Musculoskeletal Disorders V (Special Topics)3
Total Hours14

Year Two Fall

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5105Neuroscience2
PHTH 5212Pathophysiology II (Neuromuscular Disorders)2
PHTH 5215Pharmacology II (Neuromuscular Disorders)1
PHTH 5234Mobility and Assistive Equipment (with Neuro Gait)2
PHTH 5224Movement Science II1
PHTH 5225Movement Science III3
PHTH 5251Neuromuscular Disorders I3
PHTH 5283Clinical Reasoning III1
Total Hours15

Year Two Spring

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5204Human Anatomy IV (Organ Systems)2
PHTH 5213Pathophysiology III (Cardio-pulmonary Disorders)2
PHTH 5252Neuromuscular Disorders II3
PHTH 5253Neuromuscular Disorders III (Geriatrics)2
PHTH 5262Integumentary Disorders3
PHTH 5263Acute Care I2
PHTH 5264Acute Care II2
PHTH 5284Clinical Reasoning IV (IPE Clinics)1
Total Hours17

Year Two Summer

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5292Clinical Experience II (Neuro+/or Acute)7
PHTH 5254Neuromuscular Disorders IV (Pediatrics)3
PHTH 5273Professional Issues III1
PHTH 5274Research Principles and Evidence-based Practice1
PHTH 5285Clinical Reasoning V1
Elective Course Choice:13
PHTH 5377Applied Research I
PHTH 5397Spanish for PTs
Total Hours13-161

Year Three Fall

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5393Clinical Experience III (Neuro+/or Acute - 10 weeks)7
PHTH 5386Clinical Reasoning VI1
PHTH 5336Health Promotion and Wellness2
Elective Course Choice:13
PHTH 5347Strength and Conditioning
PHTH 5348Women's Health
PHTH 5377Applied Research I
PHTH 5387Directed Study
PHTH 5396Service Learning
Total Hours10-131

Year Three Spring

Course IDCourse TitleSemester Credit Hours
PHTH 5375Administration and Healthcare Management3
PHTH 5376Capstone (Comprehensive Exam /Board Prep)2
PHTH 5394Clinical Experience IV (Elective - 8 weeks)5
Elective Course Choice:13
PHTH 5346Manual Therapy
PHTH 5347Strength and Conditioning
PHTH 5354Advanced Pediatrics
PHTH 5355Advanced Adult Neuro
PHTH 5356Vestibular Rehab
PHTH 5357Electroneuromyography
PHTH 5363Trauma Physical Therapy
PHTH 5377Applied Research I
PHTH 5378Applied Research II
PHTH 5387Directed Study
PHTH 5388Teaching and Learning
PHTH 5396Service Learning
Total Hours10-131

Curriculum Summary

SemesterHours
Year One Fall18
Year One Spring18
Year One Summer14
Year Two Fall15
Year Two Spring17
Year Two Summer13-16
Year Three Fall10-13
Year Three Spring10-13
Full-time Clinical Education Experiences (36 weeks)24 (counted in above semesters)
Coursework97 (counted in above semesters)
Total Program Hours121

Footnotes

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. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained during enrollment in the program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to earn the degree.

Why We Think Our Curriculum Works

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.

Textbooks

The list of required textbooks is published on the UAMS Bookstore website in compliance with State of Arkansas General Assembly Act 175 of the 2007 Regular Session.


To learn more about the Accreditation Status of the Physical Therapy program, please Click here