Curriculum

This course introduces students to fundamental physical therapy skills used in patient management within various inpatient and outpatient settings. Content is introduced to provide a framework for patient management principles used throughout the curriculum and for immediate application to the physical therapy clinical environment. This course introduces patient positioning and handling skills including palpation, infection control, vital signs, body mechanics, patient transfers, and gait training. Students are introduced to the components of the basic examination as a function of the patient management process. Foundational knowledge and skills related to the medical interview, basic examination procedures, and clinical reasoning are developed and form the basis for systems-based patient management throughout the curriculum. Laboratory sessions focus on foundational psychomotor skills including, but not limited to, goniometry, range of motion, manual muscle testing and anthropometric measures to manage patients in various clinical settings. This course also includes: foundations of defensible documentation with appropriate medical terminology, introduction to the medical interview, examination tests and measures, and measuring patient outcomes.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

This course introduces students to the underlying principles and clinical applications of selected physical agents, mechanical modalities, and electrotherapeutic modalities. Critical appraisal of current evidence examines the physical and physiological effects of these modalities, with particular emphasis on pain, inflammation, tissue healing, and muscle reeducation. Clinical decision-making emphasizes the appropriate selection of physical agents and treatment parameters based on patient indications and contraindications/precautions and desired treatment effects. Laboratory sessions develop skills for the safe and effective clinical application of physical agents and therapeutic modalities.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The course is the first of a two-course series that introduces the student to the physical therapy profession and the professional roles and responsibilities of the physical therapist in healthcare. Special emphasis is placed on exploring constructs of cultural, emotional/social and caring competencies and associated behaviors of medical professionals. This course includes the study of emotional/social intelligence, concepts of flourishing, learning theories, learning styles, characteristics of learners through the lifespan, and literacy and communication issues for patients. These learning concepts prepare students for the DPT program curriculum and for clinical practice as a life-long learners and educators in the physical therapy profession. Instruction includes essential technology competencies that help manage healthcare delivery in a constantly changing digital world. Software and mobile apps are leveraged to improve communication, facilitate learning, and enhance clinical practice and patient outcomes.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

This course introduces general research principles and evidence-based practice. The student becomes oriented to the South College library system and technology resources and becomes familiar with high-level literature reviews. Students begin the formulation of clinical questions, methods of obtaining peer-reviewed research to those clinical questions, and how to critically appraise the evidence. The student is introduced to the following topics in the research process: basic research design, issues of reliability and validity, diagnostic utility of clinical tests, and fundamentals of conducting a literature review. This course provides a framework for assignments in subsequent courses in which evidence-based foundations of physical therapy are presented.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Medical physiology deals with the functioning of the human body. Ability of the body to maintain constancy of the internal environment is termed homeostasis. Restoring the normal physiology is the essence of medical management. This course emphasizes the physiology and pathophysiology of the cellular, integumentary, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems. Function and tissue mechanics of each system are presented, with specific emphasis on changes across the lifespan and adaptations to activity/exercise and disease. A brief systems review of the renal, endocrine, and immune systems will focus the student on physiologic processes relevant to physical therapy practice. Students will be able to apply this foundational knowledge about human function to future coursework and patients, enabling students to make quantitative and qualitative observations and decisions regarding patient presentations and clinical management.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The course is the first of a two-course series that provides the physical therapy student with foundational knowledge of human gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. Instruction includes focused clinical application of human embryology, histology, and functional anatomy to consider patient problems relevant to the physical therapist. Key emphasis is on a detailed study of the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system of the lumbar spine, pelvis and lower limb, to include associated osseous, muscular, nervous and vascular structures. Neuroanatomy content explores the structure and function of the peripheral nervous system, to include cranial nerves. This course consists of lecture related to the static and dynamic application of applied anatomy along with heavy use of 3-dimensional anatomy software, medical imaging, living/surface anatomy, and synthetic human anatomical models in lab sessions for hands on application and learning.

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

This is the first course in a four-course series introducing students to the clinical application of human biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles. These principles are applied to musculoskeletal dysfunction of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip regions in this course, but also serve as a foundation for future courses in the management of patients with other system- or lifespan-related disorders. Evidence-based practice in the management of patients with musculoskeletal lumbo-pelvic and hip conditions is emphasized in the remainder of this course. Students concentrate on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Instruction on differential diagnosis and determining primary and secondary hypotheses is completed. Foundational elements of patient management are emphasized that use patient presentation and clinical evidence to classify patients, establish prognosis and functional goals, and develop comprehensive intervention programs related to the lumbo-pelvic and hip regions. A patient-centered approach to health and disease is presented to help students recognize conditions both at risk for advanced chronicity and outside the scope of physical therapy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 1 courses

This is the second course in a four-course series introducing students to the clinical application of human biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles. These principles are applied to lower extremity musculoskeletal dysfunction in this course, but also serve as a foundation for future courses in the management of patients with other system- or lifespan-related disorders. Students advance the application of psychomotor skills related to palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Instruction on differential diagnosis and determining primary and secondary hypotheses is directed. Foundational elements of patient management are emphasized that use patient presentation and clinical evidence to classify patients, establish prognosis and functional goals, and develop comprehensive intervention programs related to the lower extremity. A patient-centered approach to health and disease is presented to help students recognize conditions both at risk for advanced chronicity and outside the scope of physical therapy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 1 courses

This course introduces the specific elements of applied research design and statistics. Students become familiar with relevant research statistics to become intelligent consumers of scientific literature. Items related to measurement, research design, statistical analysis, critical inquiry, and strength of evidence are presented. These concepts are applied in the critical evaluation of published physical therapy literature. This course provides additional framework for subsequent courses in which scientific foundations of physical therapy practice are presented.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 1 courses

The second of a two-course series completes the study of foundational human gross anatomy and neuroanatomy for the physical therapy student. Instruction continues to focus on the clinical application of functional anatomy to consider patient problems relevant to the physical therapist. Key emphasis in this course is a detailed study of the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system of the cervical and thoracic spines, thorax, shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm and hand, to include associated osseous, muscular, nervous and vascular structures. A discussion of facial and temporomandibular joint structures is also provided. Neuroanatomy content provides an in-depth study of the autonomic and central nervous systems. This course consists of lecture related to the static and dynamic application of applied anatomy along with heavy use of 3-dimensional anatomy software, medical imaging, living/surface anatomy, and synthetic human anatomical models in lab sessions for hands-on application and learning

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 1 courses

This course provides an overview of musculoskeletal biomechanical principles as applied to joint form and function, movement analysis, and therapeutic interventions. Students are introduced to the principles and application of therapeutic exercise, to include motion, motor control, balance/coordination, strength, power, endurance, agility, and return to work/sports/function. Fundamental principles of manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization are also discussed. Students learn the fundamentals of treatment planning based on tissue healing, functional abilities, and patient goals and behaviors. Strategies to effectively teach, progress, and motivate patients are discussed to improve patient performance and compliance with treatment programs.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 1 courses

This is the third course in a four-course series introducing students to the clinical application of human biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles. These principles are applied to musculoskeletal dysfunction of the cervical-thoracic spine and temporomandibular joint in this course, but also serve as a foundation for future courses in the management of patients with other system- or lifespan-related disorders. Students concentrate on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Instruction on differential diagnosis and determining primary and secondary hypotheses is completed. Foundational elements of patient management are emphasized that use patient presentation and clinical evidence to classify patients, establish prognosis and functional goals, and develop comprehensive intervention programs related to the cervical and thoracic spine regions. A patient-centered approach to health and disease is presented to help students recognize conditions both at risk for advanced chronicity and outside the scope of physical therapy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 2 courses

This is the final course in a four-course series introducing students to the clinical application of human biomechanics, functional movement, and examination principles. These principles are applied to lower extremity musculoskeletal dysfunction in this course, but also serve as a foundation for future courses in the management of patients with other system- or lifespan-related disorders. Students concentrate on the application of psychomotor skills related to regional palpation, examination, and evidence-based interventions emphasizing patient education, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Instruction on differential diagnosis and determining primary and secondary hypotheses is completed. Foundational elements of patient management are emphasized that use patient presentation and clinical evidence to classify patients, establish prognosis and functional goals, and develop comprehensive intervention programs related to the upper extremity. A patient-centered approach to health and disease is presented to help students recognize conditions both at risk for advanced chronicity and outside the scope of physical therapy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 2 courses

The course provides the physical therapy student with an overview of prevention, health, wellness, and fitness as they relate to injury prevention, nutritional influences, fitness testing, and exercise prescription in an apparently healthy population. Students investigate the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries and identify risk factors for injury as identified in the literature. Primary prevention topics are introduced via the four APTA Preferred Practice Patterns using the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Students learn and perform components of various health and fitness assessments for people seeking to improve health and wellness, as well as explore the evidence behind injury prevention and health promotion programs. Prior knowledge of human physiology and exercise principles are applied to fitness testing and prescription for patient performance improvement. Clinical tools and procedures presented include the Functional Movement Screen; Y-Balance Screen; methods of testing strength, power, endurance, flexibility, and balance; and functional testing algorithms. Students develop injury prevention and/or exercise programs based on test results and adapt the execution to specific healthy populations.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 2 courses

This course presents an in-depth analysis of neural, muscular, and skeletal factors that influence pain and movement in health and disease. Students review the organization of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems with a more functional emphasis. Normal peripheral and central nervous system function and the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders are presented. Neural control of movement and functional force development is discussed in detail with emphasis on muscle activation in health and disease. Students learn and apply motor control and motor learning principles to the examination and management of patients with movement disorders. Students will complete a 6-module online American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) course to accurately classify spinal cord injury according to international standards. Certification in the ASIA examination is an option for students. Lab activities emphasize central nervous system screening and an introduction to balance assessment tools, common outcome measures, and a comprehensive neurologic examination.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 2 courses

This course presents the physical therapy examination and management of movement disorders and neurological conditions stemming from the central nervous system pathology covered in clinical neuroscience. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neuro-degenerative conditions. Students apply the elements of patient management in physical therapy practice, including screening, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, intervention, and outcomes across the adult lifespan. Students will learn to apply the principles of neuroplasticity while focusing on recovery-based treatment techniques in patients with neurologic dysfunction. A wide variety of lab experiences will present and develop examination and rehabilitation skills unique to patients with neuromuscular conditions.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 3 courses

This course provides an overview of managing patients with chronic pain syndromes and associated psychosocial factors. General concepts related to chronic pain, fear avoidance models, peripheral sensitization, and central sensitization as it applies to physical therapy practice are covered. Emphasis is placed on patient education and describing clinical methods of educating patients about pain. Additional clinical application is presented in the form of pain assessment, treatment, outcomes, and limitations of treating chronic pain conditions. Current best practice techniques and research are integrated to provide discussion of the multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary nature of chronic pain.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 3 courses

This course introduces students to the unique aspects of the acute and critical care environment and patient management principles, to include medical equipment, effects of prolonged hospitalization, and their role in multidisciplinary care. Students develop examination, treatment planning, intervention, and discharge planning skills for medically complex patients in acute care settings. This course also provides in-depth instruction in the pathophysiology, examination and assessment, and acute management of patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Basic principles of care in electrocardiography, cardiac rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, and chest physical therapy to include thoracic spine and ribcage manual therapy techniques are included. The impact of cardiopulmonary conditions on physical therapy management of patients with other diagnoses is also presented. Lab activities include, but are not limited to, EKG stress testing, heart and lung auscultation, and pulmonary function testing. Human simulation labs are performed in a multidisciplinary approach to provide students with “real-world” exposure to acute and critical care scenarios.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 3 courses

This comprehensive course emphasizes behavioral and social sciences applied to the analysis and management of human behavior. The course is tailored specifically to the work of a physical therapist, where professional interactions with people in a culturally competent manner, including patients, support personnel, supervisors, third party payers, and other medical professionals, is a large part of their responsibilities. Special focus is given to “mindful practice”, so students develop the ability to be aware, in the moment, and on purpose, with the goal of providing better care to patients and to taking better care of themselves. Empathic care and the cultivation and maintenance of empathy is also included with the intention of developing high-quality connections and relationships with patients and other professionals that are a significant part of the integrated healthcare team. Motivational interviewing and its importance in physical therapist practice are also emphasized with the integration of positive psychology and empathetic caring into the patient care setting. Students work with simulated patient scenarios to practice, self-assess, and self-reflect on their own interviewing skills.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 3 courses

This course takes students through advanced movement analysis with a particular focus on the application of emerging clinically applicable movement technology. This course builds on the foundational sciences of anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology for the performance of advanced movement analyses of lower extremity disorders, amputation and pathologic gait. Functional and surgical anatomy of lower limb amputations and conditions requiring lower quarter orthotic and prosthetic intervention are presented. Patients requiring external support and care related to underlying conditions and comorbidities include management of residual limb, prosthetics, and orthotics. Outcome measures commonly performed in patients with gait deficits will be covered in this course, to include the amputee mobility predictor (AMP). Lab activities emphasize a review of locomotion gait analysis, motion analysis technology, residual limb management, prosthetics, and amputee rehabilitation.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 3 courses

This course introduces students to the physiologic changes of aging and the sociologic and economic consequences of an aging population. Significant time is dedicated to the natural aging process and how complicating factors such as chronic disease, malnutrition and other factors negatively impact the aging adult. Emphasis is placed on the positive and negative effects of lifestyle on preventing or accelerating decline, and the physical therapist’s role in this progression. Students learn to evaluate, treat, and manage common diseases and disorders in the aging adult population. Topics range from degenerative processes, metabolic changes, osteoporosis, genitourinary conditions, endocrine dysfunction, cancer, arterial and venous insufficiency, pressure injuries, neuropathic wounds, and end of life discussion. Lab intensive hours are focused on the development of patient management skills related to the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the aging adult patient as well as basic integumentary management. Students will apply their knowledge and skills in the management of older persons during a concurrent clinical education experience.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 4 courses

This course provides students with a general understanding of pharmacologic principles, common pathological processes and their impact on patient management in physical therapy across the lifespan. The impact of prescribed and over the counter drugs on patient presentation, timing of rehabilitation sessions, and the outcome of physical therapy interventions is presented. Content on pharmacodynamics includes specific indications for use, mode of action, safety profile, and rehabilitation considerations of common medications. The body systems and conditions covered include cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, urogenital, rheumatologic, and integumentary.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 4 courses

This structured eight-week internship allows students to gain experience working with patients in the clinical setting. Learning experiences occur under the guidance of a Clinical Faculty (CF). Special emphasis is placed on foundational skills of patient management in preparation for future clinical internships. Objectives for this internship include completing the clinical curriculum emphasizing, but not limited to, customer service and the Four-Habits Model, primary medical screening, the medical interview, upper/lower quarter screens, and central/peripheral nervous system screens. Students gain confidence with all aspects of the patient encounter and begin to form primary and competing hypotheses or physical therapy diagnoses. Instruction relating to the measuring and interpreting of functional outcomes of patients is also provided. By the conclusion of this internship experience, the student is expected to demonstrate advanced beginner or intermediate performance levels on the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI) as evaluated by the CF. Student performance will also be assessed using clinical education evaluation tools and functional patient outcomes.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 4 courses

This course will explore the therapist’s role in the management of patients with integumentary conditions. Normal tissue anatomy, wound healing, and factors that adversely affect healing are discussed as a foundation for wound management. Examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, interventions and outcomes for persons with various types of wounds will be covered using video demonstrations and clinical cases. Specific wound types discussed include: arterial and venous insufficiency ulcers, pressure ulcers, neuropathic ulcers, lymphedema, and burns. Application of specific tests and measures, their reliability and validity, and efficacy of treatment interventions will be covered. Wound risk factor reduction will be examined.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 4 courses.

This course expands the concepts from previous health, wellness, and patient management coursework by applying these principles to patients with advanced diseases that have multi-system involvement. Students will expand on prior coursework on examination and treatment principles for the management of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, oncological, lymphatic, integumentary and rheumatologic disorders. In addition, students will develop a foundation for wound management with study of normal tissue anatomy, wound healing, and factors that adversely affect healing. Examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, interventions and outcomes for persons with various types of wounds will be covered using video demonstrations and clinical cases. Specific wound types discussed include: arterial and venous insufficiency ulcers, pressure ulcers, neuropathic ulcers, lymphedema, and burns. Application of specific tests and measures, their reliability and validity, and efficacy of treatment interventions will be covered. Wound risk factor reduction will be examined. Students demonstrate their knowledge and clinical skills in the performance of individual and community health, and fitness screenings for specific populations throughout the course, including guided activities in a structured lab environment. Students will design individual and community-based interventions for effective disease management and present to people in the greater Knoxville community.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 5 courses

This course presents fundamental concepts for the physical therapy management of children with musculoskeletal, neurological, and/or cardiopulmonary impairments. A framework of normal development and aging from birth to young adult is presented and serves as a course foundation. Students apply the elements of patient/client management in physical therapy practice, including screening, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, intervention, and outcomes related to the pediatric patient. Topics include, but are not limited to: developmental delay and disability, family-centered care, legislation related to provision of pediatric physical therapy services, orthotics, prosthetics, and assistive technologies.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 5 courses

This course provides students with advanced clinical reasoning and intervention skills for the management of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Manual therapy and therapeutic exercise skills learned in previous courses are honed and expanded upon with the integration of advanced spinal manipulation and therapeutic exercise techniques. Students also learn basic trigger point dry needling skills for the treatment of soft tissue dysfunction. An emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning and decision-making to safely and effectively integrate these advanced interventions into patient treatment plans. This course also includes multiple case scenarios and a heavy lab component to develop and/or refine the use of these advanced interventions. Assignments using exercise prescription technology are used to enhance patient education and adherence to home exercise programs.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 5 courses

This course presents a comprehensive review of advanced techniques and applications of diagnostic tests and imaging in the major systems and joints of the body related to physical therapy practice. The basic fundamentals of imaging, as well as the more sophisticated techniques and their diagnostic utility, are presented in this course. Specific content provides review of diagnostic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, and radiographs. Content is also presented on general medical diagnostic tests and how to interpret laboratory studies. Specific strategies are presented to solve common clinical questions to help the student determine if a diagnostic test adds value to the history and examination as a direct access provider of physical therapy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 5 courses

This course will explore the therapist’s role as an interdependent practitioner working within a collaborative medical model. Inherent in the responsibilities associated with this role is the ability to recognize clinical manifestations that suggest that physician contact is warranted regarding a client’s health status. Equally important is knowing what one can omit from the examination scheme on a given day, while placing the client at minimal risk. A proposed examination scheme will provide the structure for our discussion. Presenting the clinical tools and decision-making processes necessary to more efficiently and effectively collect and evaluate the examination data, will be the focus of this course. Professional communication with the client and other healthcare professionals will also be a central theme. Patient cases are presented as the final part of this course as a means of applying differential diagnostic principles and promoting clinical decision-making.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 5 courses

This is the final course in a two-part series that covers special issues in physical therapy related to modern patient management and the impact of diversity issues on health care practice. It will expound on the material presented in DPT 6130. This course prepares the student professionally and emotionally for clinical practice, as well as his/her role as a lifelong learner and educator in the physical therapy profession. Course content includes, but is not limited to, principles of medical ethics, legal issues in physical therapy, risk management strategies, issues of liability, harassment, and discrimination, HIPAA and patient confidentiality, and health care regulations (Medicare, JCAHO, CARF, etc.). The course also prepares the student for the eventual job search as a doctor of physical therapy, to include job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing, and interviewing skills.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 6 courses

This 12-week internship builds upon the knowledge and skills obtained during the first clinical experience (DPT 6530) to advance evidence-based patient management and clinical reasoning skills and exhibit characteristics of an adult learner and medical professional. Direct patient care experiences under the guidance of Clinical Faculty (CF) in a collaborative learning environment include patient and family education, case presentations, staff in-services, community outreach and all aspects of the patient management model appropriate to the setting. Structured learning experiences and frequent problem based assignments as part of a clinical education curriculum complement focused lab time and learning opportunities aside from patient care in the clinical setting. Students continue membership in the APTA and increase involvement at the state chapter and national level. By the conclusion of this internship experience, the student is expected to demonstrate intermediate or advanced intermediate performance levels on the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI) as evaluated by the CF. Student performance will also be assessed using clinical education evaluation tools and functional patient outcomes.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 6 courses

This course provides an overview of practice management fundamentals and applies these principles to various aspects of leadership, strategic planning, business operations, and consultative services. Students will gain knowledge of health care management and leadership, strategic planning, human resources, finance, legal and ethical issues, organizational structures and fiscal management as they relate to physical therapy practice. The course provides instruction for effective team leadership techniques to prepare students for leadership roles early in their career. Students are exposed to the highest caliber of business training and practical applications to help build a strategic, competitive advantage in the marketplace. Students learn the initial building blocks necessary to build a thriving private practice or run a hospital department and are exposed to a community of evidence-based practitioners, business owners, and hospital administrators who represent the best business practices in the physical therapy industry. Students are also exposed to the broader aspects of the U.S. health care system; the organization, financing, and delivery of services in both for profit and not for profit settings. Discussion includes key management and policy issues in contemporary health systems and a discussion of public policy and its impact on the provision of rehabilitative services.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 6 courses

This 11-week internship builds upon the knowledge and skills obtained during the first two clinical experiences (DPT 6530 and DPT 6720) to advance evidence-based patient management and clinical reasoning skills and exhibit characteristics of an adult learner and medical professional. Direct patient care experiences under the guidance of Clinical Faculty (CF) in a collaborative learning environment include patient and family education, case presentations, staff in services, community outreach and all aspects of the patient management model appropriate to the setting. Structured learning experiences and frequent problem-based assignments as part of a clinical education curriculum complement focused lab time and learning opportunities aside from patient care in the clinical setting. Students continue membership in the APTA and increase involvement at the state chapter and national level. By the conclusion of this internship experience, the student is expected to demonstrate entry-level performance on the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT CPI) as evaluated by the CF. Student performance will also be assessed using clinical education evaluation tools and functional patient outcomes.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 7 courses

The final course in the curriculum requires the student to integrate and apply previous didactic knowledge, clinical internship experiences, and evidence-based practice principles. Students use clinical internship experiences to prepare a patient case analysis for professional presentation and discussion. Students will complete case analysis and present to their intern peers and clinical education team in a “Grand Rounds” format. Students also complete a National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Prep Course, which includes two practice examinations. The student will design a study plan and schedule in order to demonstrate preparation for the national licensure exam.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Quarter 6 courses