Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT)

The Program in Physical Therapy at the University of Minnesota began as a certificate program in 1941. It expanded to a baccalaureate program in 1946, a master of science program in 1997 and a professional doctoral degree program in 2002. All students entering the program and completing all requirements graduate with a professional Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy. The Program is accredited by the Commission on Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

PROGRAM OF STUDY

The Program requires 3 years of year-round graduate study. Academic coursework and research activity are completed during the first seven semesters. The final two semesters are devoted to clinical internships. Graduates of the Program are eligible to apply for state registration or licensure according to the laws of the states.

CURRICULUM

Year One

• Human Anatomy
• Clinical Biomechanics
• Clinical Assessment
• Scientific Foundations I: Theory of Exercise
• Human Growth & Development
• Ethics
• Research Seminar
• Clerkship I
• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology
• Therapeutic Procedures
• Research Seminar
• Clerkship II

Year Two

• Cardiopulmonary
• Integument
• Acute Care Physical Therapy
• Pharmacology
• Pathophysiology
• Research Problems
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation I
• Research Design
• Research Problems
• Clerkship III
• Scientific Foundations II: Neuromotor Control
• Neurorehabilitation I
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation II
• Research Problems
• Clerkship IV

Year Three

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Administration
• Research Problems
• Clinical Internship I - IV

CLINICAL EDUCATION

Students complete forty weeks of clinical internships in addition to clinical clerkships imbedded in the academic curriculum. The full time internships occur during the third year of the program.

Each student will complete clinical affiliations in the following areas: acute hospital, outpatient, rehabilitation, and specialty area. These will be under direct supervision of experienced clinical faculty and will provide each student the opportunity to combine theoretical skills with practical experience. Beyond direct patient care, students will also develop skills and knowledge related to administration, management and supervision, education, and consultation.

Note: Because state laws have been enacted to protect patients and they affect many of the Program's clinical education sites, students are required to authorize a criminal background check prior to assignment to clinical areas.

GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

Consistent with the University of Minnesota's commitment to better prepare individuals for global interaction, the Program in Physical Therapy, in combination with the Global Campus Office, offers several international clinical experiences.  This process is competitive and is dependent on the availability of appropriate affiliation sites.

RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT IN RESEARCH

In addition to completing the above physical therapy curriculum, all graduate students at the University of Minnesota must complete the Graduate School requirement for training in the Responsible Conduct of Research Education. Physical Therapy students will complete a training module supervised by their research advisor.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Physical therapists work in a wide variety of settings: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, acute care facilities, private practice, school systems, industry, sports medicine, home health, and more.  Factors such as an aging population and improved management of chronic conditions have created an increasing need for physical therapists.  Both national and local projections indicate a continued growth in physical therapy jobs through at least 2014.  Additional information is available at: www.apta.org.

ADMISSION

Qualified residents, nonresidents, and international students are invited to apply. Also, consistent with the University's and the profession's goals to increase diversity, the Program encourages under-represented and educationally disadvantaged students to apply. A rolling admissions process is used to accept 50 students each year for the program beginning in July. Further information is available via the following link: Application and Admissions.