Program 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 ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5101 | Human Anatomy I (Upper Extremity) | 2 |
| PHTH 5102 | Human Anatomy II (Lower Extremity) | 2 |
| PHTH 5123 | Movement Science I (Biomechanics and MS Gait) | 2 |
| PHTH 5131 | Introductory PT Skills | 3 |
| PHTH 5141 | Musculoskeletal Disorders I (Upper Extremity) | 4 |
| PHTH 5142 | Musculoskeletal Disorders II (Lower Extremity) | 3 |
| PHTH 5171 | Professional Issues I | 1 |
| PHTH 5181 | Clinical Reasoning I | 1 |
| Total Hours | | 18 |
Year One Spring
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5103 | Human Anatomy III (Spine) | 2 |
| PHTH 5111 | Pathophysiology I (Musculoskeletal Disorders) | 2 |
| PHTH 5114 | Pharmacology I (Musculoskeletal and Cardio-pulmonary Disorders) | 2 |
| PHTH 5121 | Exercise Physiology I (Musculoskeletal) | 2 |
| PHTH 5143 | Musculoskeletal Disorders III (Lumbar Spine and Pelvis) | 4 |
| PHTH 5144 | Musculoskeletal Disorders IV (Cervico-Thoracic Spine) | 3 |
| PHTH 5172 | Professional Issues II | 2 |
| PHTH 5182 | Clinical Reasoning II | 1 |
| Total Hours | | 18 |
Year One Summer
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5132 | Therapeutic Intervention I (EPA) | 4 |
| PHTH 5191 | Clinical Experience I (OPD - 8 weeks) | 5 |
| PHTH 5235 | Psychosocial Aspects | 2 |
| PHTH 5245 | Musculoskeletal Disorders V (Special Topics) | 3 |
| Total Hours | | 14 |
Year Two Fall
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5105 | Neuroscience | 2 |
| PHTH 5212 | Pathophysiology II (Neuromuscular Disorders) | 2 |
| PHTH 5215 | Pharmacology II (Neuromuscular Disorders) | 1 |
| PHTH 5234 | Mobility and Assistive Equipment (with Neuro Gait) | 2 |
| PHTH 5224 | Movement Science II | 1 |
| PHTH 5225 | Movement Science III | 3 |
| PHTH 5251 | Neuromuscular Disorders I | 3 |
| PHTH 5283 | Clinical Reasoning III | 1 |
| Total Hours | | 15 |
Year Two Spring
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5204 | Human Anatomy IV (Organ Systems) | 2 |
| PHTH 5213 | Pathophysiology III (Cardio-pulmonary Disorders) | 2 |
| PHTH 5252 | Neuromuscular Disorders II | 3 |
| PHTH 5253 | Neuromuscular Disorders III (Geriatrics) | 2 |
| PHTH 5262 | Integumentary Disorders | 3 |
| PHTH 5263 | Acute Care I | 2 |
| PHTH 5264 | Acute Care II | 2 |
| PHTH 5284 | Clinical Reasoning IV (IPE Clinics) | 1 |
| Total Hours | | 17 |
Year Two Summer
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5292 | Clinical Experience II (Neuro+/or Acute) | 7 |
| PHTH 5254 | Neuromuscular Disorders IV (Pediatrics) | 3 |
| PHTH 5273 | Professional Issues III | 1 |
| PHTH 5274 | Research Principles and Evidence-based Practice | 1 |
| PHTH 5285 | Clinical Reasoning V | 1 |
| Elective Course Choice:1 | 3 |
| PHTH 5377 | Applied Research I | |
| PHTH 5397 | Spanish for PTs | |
| Total Hours | | 13-161 |
Year Three Fall
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5393 | Clinical Experience III (Neuro+/or Acute - 10 weeks) | 7 |
| PHTH 5386 | Clinical Reasoning VI | 1 |
| PHTH 5336 | Health Promotion and Wellness | 2 |
| Elective Course Choice:1 | 3 |
| PHTH 5347 | Strength and Conditioning | |
| PHTH 5348 | Women's Health | |
| PHTH 5377 | Applied Research I | |
| PHTH 5387 | Directed Study | |
| PHTH 5396 | Service Learning | |
| Total Hours | | 10-131 |
Year Three Spring
| Course ID | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| PHTH 5375 | Administration and Healthcare Management | 3 |
| PHTH 5376 | Capstone (Comprehensive Exam /Board Prep) | 2 |
| PHTH 5394 | Clinical Experience IV (Elective - 8 weeks) | 5 |
| Elective Course Choice:1 | 3 |
| PHTH 5346 | Manual Therapy | |
| PHTH 5347 | Strength and Conditioning | |
| PHTH 5354 | Advanced Pediatrics | |
| PHTH 5355 | Advanced Adult Neuro | |
| PHTH 5356 | Vestibular Rehab | |
| PHTH 5357 | Electroneuromyography | |
| PHTH 5363 | Trauma Physical Therapy | |
| PHTH 5377 | Applied Research I | |
| PHTH 5378 | Applied Research II | |
| PHTH 5387 | Directed Study | |
| PHTH 5388 | Teaching and Learning | |
| PHTH 5396 | Service Learning | |
| 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 | 17 |
| Year Two Summer | 13-16 |
| Year Three Fall | 10-13 |
| Year Three Spring | 10-13 |
| Full-time Clinical Education Experiences (36 weeks) | 24 (counted in above semesters) |
| Coursework | 97 (counted in above semesters) |
| Total Program Hours | 121 |
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
