Academic Curriculum

Year 1

PHTH 520 - Professional Development and Leadership II - 1 credit
Students learn essentials of communication and need for diverse approaches with patients, families, and colleagues in various settings and circumstances. Interprofessional teamwork and practice are emphasized. One’s role as a situational leader is explored.
PHTH 521 - Human Anatomy I - 4 credits
Students learn the anatomical structures of the human body, their relationships, and functions through human cadaver dissection. Focus is on musculoskeletal and neurological systems.
PHTH 522 - Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities I / ICE I - 3 credits
Students apply their knowledge of normal neuro-musculoskeletal structure and function of the upper and lower extremities to learning the physical therapy management of adult patients/clients with disorders of the extremities in various settings. The course includes use of relevant heat/cold, electrical, and mechanical modalities. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making. Students complete one-half day per week in an outpatient physical therapy practice setting.
PHTH 523 - Principles of Evidence-Based Practice II - 3 credits
This course is an extension of Principles of Evidence-based Practice I in that students continue to learn to critically analyze the literature and interpret published research in terms of its quality and applicability to practice. The focus is on research related to outcomes measures, clinical practice guidelines, clinical prediction rules and systematic reviews.
PHTH 524 - Pathology and Medical/Surgical Management of Muskuloskeletal Conditions - 3 credits
Students learn the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical and surgical management of integumentary conditions as well as a variety of common diseases including diabetes, cancer, GI and GU conditions, and others. Pharmacological management of such disorders is a key feature. Consideration is given to both acute and chronic features of disorders. Students also learn principles of relevant imaging, including radiography, CT scans, MRI, and special studies. This course supplements the learning in management of conditions of the integumentary and other systems in facilitating clinical decision-making.
PHTH 525 - Functional Kinesiology for Physical Therapists - 3 credits
Students learn and apply kinesiological and biomechanical principles and concepts to the analysis of human movement, joint structures and functions, posture, and gait.

PHTH 530 - Professional Development and Leadership III - 1 credit
Students learn the role of race, ethnicity and culture in defining health and disparities in health and healthcare access. Development of cultural humility is emphasized. One’s role in fostering better health and healthcare access is explored.
PHTH 531 - Human Anatomy II - 3 credits
Pre-requisite: Human Anatomy I
This course is a continuation of Anatomy I. Students learn the anatomical structures of the human body, their relationships, and functions through human cadaver dissection. Focus is on muscular, skeletal, neurological as well as cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems.
PHTH 532 - Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities / ICE II - 3 credits
Pre-requisite: Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Extremities I
This course is a continuation of Management of musculoskeletal disorders of the extremities I. Students apply their knowledge of normal neuro-musculoskeletal structure and function of the upper and lower extremities to learning the physical therapy management of adult patients/clients with disorders of the extremities in various settings. The course includes use of relevant heat/cold, electrical, and mechanical modalities, as well as assistive devices and orthotics. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making. Students complete one-half day per week in an outpatient physical therapy practice setting.
PHTH 535 - Practice Management and Professional Colloquium - 2 credits
Students learn application of relevant regulatory, administrative and management requirements as they relate to the implementation of professional practice including requirements related to third-party payment and billing, personnel issues, fiscal responsibility, and patient advocacy.
PHTH 536 - Psychosocial Aspects of Disease and Disability - 3 credits
Students learn the psychosocial dimensions of health, illness, and disability across the lifespan and from multicultural perspectives. Students learn to assess patients’/clients’ concerns with standard tools, and practice motivational interviewing, basic counseling, and communication skills.
PHTH 537 - Exercise Prescription & Neuro-Musculoskeletal Adaptations to Exercise - 2 credits
Students learn to apply information from Physiological Basis of the Movement System and Biomechanical Basis of the Movement System courses to develop exercise prescriptions for patients/clients at a variety of health and fitness levels with primarily musculoskeletal concerns. Emphasis is on fundamentals of frequency, intensity, type, timing, ordering and progressing of exercise to match patient/client needs and goals.

Year 2

PHTH 550 - Professional Development and Leadership IV - 1 credit
Students learn ethical frameworks for practice by analyzing clinical and organizational healthcare issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students develop ethical decision-making skills and discuss their role in assuring ethical standards of practice.
PHTH 552 - Physical Therapy Management of Body Systems in Adults and Pediatrics - ICE IV - 5 credits
Students apply their knowledge of normal anatomy and physiology to learning the physical therapy management of multiple body systems in adult and pediatric patients. The course includes use of modalities, as well as wheelchairs, assistive devices, and orthotics. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making. Students complete one-half day per week in an in-patient, rehabilitation, home care or pediatric physical therapy practice setting.
PHTH 553 - Management of Neurological Disorders - 3 credits
Management of Neurological Disorders Students learn the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical and surgical management of common neurological disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and others. Pharmacological management of such disorders is a key feature. Consideration is given to both acute and chronic features of disorders. Students also learn principles of relevant imaging, including radiography, CT scans, MRI, and special studies. This course supplements the learning in management of neurological disorders in adult and management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders in children and adolescents in facilitating clinical decision-making.
PHTH 557 - Capstone Project Initiation - 2 credits
Students will start participating in a mentored scholarly project across several months, working collaboratively with peers and faculty on the development and implementation of a culminating project. Topics are varied and may involve international experiences, community health promotion interventions, directed research experiences, practice management projects, or mentored teaching experiences.
PHTH 558 - Pathology and Medical/Surgical Management of Neurological Disorders - 3 credits
Students learn the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical management of common neurological disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and others. Consideration is given to both acute and chronic features of disorders. Students also learn principles of relevant imaging, including radiography, CT scans, MRI, and special studies. This course supplements the learning in management of neurological disorders in adult and management of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders in children and adolescents in facilitating clinical decision-making.
PHTH 559 - Pathology and Medical/Surgical Management of Cardiovascular Disorders - 3 credits
Students learn the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical and surgical management of common cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders such as congenital heart disorders, myocardial infarction, heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. Pharmacological management of such disorders is a key feature. Consideration is given to both acute and chronic features of disorders. Students also learn principles of relevant imaging, including radiography, CT scans, MRI, and special studies.

Year 3

PHTH 572 - Management of Complex, Multisystem Conditions / ICE VI - 3 credits
Students apply their knowledge of normal physiology and anatomy to learning the physical therapy management of patients/clients with complex and multi-system problems that are a result of trauma and or multiple co-morbidities. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making. Students complete one-half day per week in an in-patient setting with exposure to ICU care.
PHTH 573 - Management of Neuro-Musculoskeletal Disorders in Children and Adolescents - 3 credits
Students apply their knowledge of normal neurophysiology and neuroanatomy to learning the physical therapy management of child and adolescent patients/clients with inherited, congenital, and acquired neurological disorders such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy. The course includes use of wheelchairs, assistive devices, and orthotics. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making. Students complete one-half day per week in an in-patient, rehabilitation, home care or pediatric physical therapy practice setting.
PHTH 574 - U.S. Health Policy - 3 credits
Students explore the national policies related to health care, including the role of professionals in the delivery of health care, and socioeconomic, legislative, ethical, political, and historical perspectives. The focus is on how health policies affect patient care, population health and costs.
PHTH 578 - Capstone Project Completion - 3 credits
Students participate in a mentored scholarly project across several months, working collaboratively with peers and faculty on the development and implementation of a culminating project. Topics are varied and may involve international experiences, community health promotion interventions, directed research experiences, practice management projects, or mentored teaching experiences.
PHTH 579 - Pathology and Medical / Surgical Management of Integumentary and Other Systems - 3 credits
Students learn the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic tests and results, and medical and surgical management of integumentary conditions as well as a variety of common diseases including diabetes, cancer, GI and GU conditions, and others. Pharmacological management of such disorders is a key feature. Consideration is given to both acute and chronic features of disorders. Students also learn principles of relevant imaging, including radiography, CT scans, MRI, and special studies. This course supplements the learning in management of conditions of the integumentary and other systems in facilitating clinical decision-making.