This course consists of lectures, laboratory, and workshop sessions that emphasize the structure of the human body, the relationship between body structure and function, the clinical application of anatomical knowledge, and the use of human gross anatomy in physical diagnosis.

Credits: 5

This course provides an introduction to cell and tissue biology and metabolism, focusing on the structure and function of normal human tissue and organs. The student gains a basic science framework to apply to physical therapy intervention. Application of this material helps students understand: 1) growth and development of human cells, tissues, organs and organ systems; 2) functional differences in cells, tissues, organs and organ systems; 3) tissue healing and repair; 4) response of tissue to therapeutic intervention.

Credits: 2

Changes in our healthcare delivery system are creating a growing demand for health professionals with skills in collaboration and teamwork. This course will describe the roles and responsibilities of the various healthcare disciplines. It will also provide students, from different health professions, the opportunity to interact with one another as well as simulated patients. This collaboration will promote communication using a team-based approach to the maintenance of health and management of disease.

Credits: 1

Students are introduced to the physiological principles and regulatory processes that underlie the normal function of the human body and develop an understanding of the physiologic responses to perturbations of homeostasis and of pathophysiologic alterations that occur in disease. Didactic lectures are supplemented with workshops that focus on application of physiological concepts. Topics include the properties of excitable cells and the function of the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems.

Credits: Each course 3.5

Physiologic factors relevant to responses and adaptations to exercise across the life span are presented. Analysis of the metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and musculoskeletal systems to prescribe and grade exercise is emphasized. Workshops are utilized to facilitate integration of principles of exercise physiology with clinical practice.

Credits: 3

This course introduces theoretical frameworks for clinical problem-solving and develops the student's level of clinical reasoning. Students analyze clinical problems by identifying critical cues, gathering information, developing hypotheses, testing hypotheses, and analyzing results. The concept of evidence–based practice is introduced to students as part of the clinical reasoning process. Accessing, organizing, using, and citing healthcare literature, assessing levels of evidence, and mapping clinical concepts are applied to physical therapist practice.

Credits: 2

This course provides a basic introduction to medical terminology with a focus on body systems. Students complete 13 online self-study modules that incorporate recognition and assessment of medical terms. Assessment of student learning occurs through a series of 13 self-paced quizzes. This course is required early in the curriculum to facilitate communication in subsequent courses and clinical assignments.

Credits: 0.5

This course is designed to introduce the student to 1) the biopsychosocial model of health, introducing the WHO International Classification of Disability, Functioning and Health (ICF) model, and 2) the patient-centered model of healthcare service delivery. Students will explore the basics of the patient-provider relationship, including effective communication, empathy, patient motivation, enhancing patient adherence, and encouraging healthy behaviors. Within the patient-centered care model, special emphasis will be given to working with individuals who have a disability, across the life span. The importance of a family-centered care approach in working with children and consideration of caregiver issues will be addressed.

Credits: 3

This course provides an introduction to professional behavior, healthcare systems, issues in healthcare delivery, and healthcare team members. The perspective of the patient/client is emphasized. Principles of confidentiality, professional ethics, standards of practice, patient rights, and the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice are discussed.

Credits: 2

This course introduces the multiple roles of the physical therapist across the healthcare delivery system as a patient care provider, educator, supervisor, and culturally competent professional. Implications of these roles for physical therapy practice are discussed. Current issues in physical therapist practice: regulation and healthcare payment, legal and ethical standards, supervision, and standards of practice are analyzed. The role of the physical therapy professional association in on-going professional development is discussed.

Credits: 2

This course provides the foundation for systematically designing, implementing and evaluating learning experiences used in the education of patients, students, colleagues, community members, and self. Students will gain knowledge in the role of the healthcare professional in education, principles of learning, teaching and learning modules, learning needs, goals setting, writing behavioral objectives, instructional strategies, strategies for group facilitation, patient and family education, and teaching in both the clinical and academic settings.

Credits: 3

This course is a basic introduction to research design and methodology. It is intended to teach students the basic principles of the research process. Topics covered in this course will enable students to critically evaluate papers in clinical and basic science research. This course consists of a shared interprofessional lecture session and a separate workshop session for the PT students. Within the PT Workshop, students will integrate content learned from the main session and apply it to issues pertinent to physical therapy practice.

Credits: 3

This course is the first of two courses in the Preparation for Clinical Education series. In a controlled safe environment with simulated and real-life patients, students practice skills in communication, time management, patient evaluation and intervention, infection control/standard precautions, mobility training, and patient education. This course provides opportunities to appreciate the perspective of patients/families on changes in health and healthcare delivery. Students are oriented to and plan for Practicum I, a three-week full-time supervised clinical practice in a healthcare environment.

Credits: 1.5

This course introduces students to general pathology including environmental and genetic causes of disease as well as molecular, cellular, organ and whole body effects of common disorders. Speakers discuss the diagnosis and medical and surgical management of patients with common disorders seen in physical therapy practice. In addition, the course introduces students to medical imaging theory and application.

Credits: 4

The first of two neuroscience courses, this course develops students’ ability to identify and describe the principal structural components and corresponding functions of the nervous system. Emphasis is on the nervous system structures and processes which support perception and action including somatosensation, visual, auditory, and vestibular systems, and spinal, sub-cortical, and cortical roles in the coordination and control of movement. Students will begin to relate structural components with function and correlate lesions in sensory and motor systems with neurological deficits seen in clinical practice.

Credits: 3.5

Inter-relationships of physical, psychological, and social development across the life span are examined and related to physical therapy patient management. Development of functional movement and of the body systems supporting movement are analyzed. Standardized motor and functional assessment instruments for specific age groups are reviewed and selected tests administered. Students design wellness/fitness programs for infants, children, adolescents and older adults.

Credits: 3.5

This course will provide a conceptual framework for health promotion and disease/injury prevention which includes an interprofessional model to provide optimal health for people, animal, plant and environmental health. The foundation for the conceptual framework is built on public health policy and basic epidemiological principles. Course content focuses on definitions of health promotion and disease/injury prevention, risk and its relation to disease, assessment of risk, interventions to minimize risk/promote health, constraints to health education programming and compliance issues, health promotion and disease/injury prevention issues after disabiity and evaluation of health promotion and disease/injury prevention programs.

Credits: 2

This course covers the design, implementation, and modification of basic interventions for existing/potential mobility problems at both the impairment and disability levels. Selected principles of and techniques for body mechanics, patient handling, positioning and draping, bed mobility, transfers, gait, wheelchair prescription and mobility, positional/transitional equipment use, bandaging, range-of-motion exercise, and soft tissue treatment are addressed.

Credits: 2

This course continues the series of courses focused on intervention strategies and provides students with the theoretical principles and skills of therapeutic exercise and joint mobilization. Course content includes isometric, isotonic, isokinetic, eccentric and concentric strengthening activities; active and passive stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF); principles of musculoskeletal treatment, joint mobilization, and relaxation/mindfulness.

Credits: 3

This course provides the foundation for physical therapy evaluation including history, systems review, tests/measures, prognosis, differential diagnosis, physical therapy impression, identification of patient problems, goals and intervention plans. Students gain skill in patient questioning and history taking, examination of pain, vital signs, posture, palpation skill, anthropometric and goniometric measurement, manual muscle strength testing, sensory examination and documentation skills.

Credits: 4

This course builds on the principles introduced in Physical Therapy Evaluation I, focusing on the identification of dysfunction in specific regions of the body including the upper and lower limbs, the spine, pelvis and the temporomandibular joint using special tests, joint examination procedures, strength testing devices, functional assessment and neurovascular evaluation. Students select appropriate special tests and examination procedures to identify musculoskeletal diagnoses.

Credits: 4

This course addresses the recognition, description and analysis of the components of normal movement in static and dynamic activities, applying basic theories of mechanics of normal tissue, structure and properties of connective tissue, and general joint relationships. Normal joint mechanics for the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, and interrelationships between the anatomical structure and the normal kinematic behavior of joints are discussed. Theories of motor learning and motor control influencing activity of the musculoskeletal system are introduced. Lecture, lab, and movement analysis project facilitate learning.

Credits: 3

This course is a continuation of the principles and theories introduced in Kinesiology/Biomechanics I. Students will be able to recognize and describe basic theories of mechanics and the components of normal movement in static and dynamic states as it relates to the spine, temporomandibular joint, lower extremity, and gait activities. Course content includes the interrelationships between anatomical structure and normal kinematic behavior of joints, muscle function, and human gait. Also, foundations for analyzing and identifying the components of gait are covered.

Credits: 3

This course will provide students with a comprehensive background in the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. These concepts, along with general principles of physical therapy intervention, will then form the basis for physical therapy management of people with cardiopulmonary (CP) disorders. Issues such as the effect of exercise training on the CP system and contraindications for PT are presented and discussed.

Credits: 3

This course introduces students to pharmacological intervention in patient management. The course describes basic drug-receptor interactions, dose-response curves and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and storage of drugs within the body.

Credits: 2

This course is designed to reinforce and enhance the reasoning process used to make clinical decisions. The course includes in depth analysis of planning the history gathering process, planning the tests and measures including a formal functional outcome assessment, forming a physical therapy impression, developing an intervention plan and re-evaluation plan as applied to a patient with a musculoskeletal condition. Communication to physicians regarding clinical impressions is also included.

Credits: 2

This course consists of participation and presentation in a "professional" journal club related to physical therapy. The course meets once/quarter starting in the first spring, and runs through the second winter of the program. Journal club meetings consist of review and discussion sessions of scientific evidence (journal articles) led by students. The journal club provides exposure to a variety of research designs.

Credits: 1

This course introduces students to the use of orthoses to improve function as a result of impairment of the upper extremity, lower extremity, or spine. Components, materials, design, fabrication, fitting, alignment, prescription, training, and total patient management are discussed. Emphasis is placed on lower extremity orthotics, development of basic analytical and psychomotor skills for adapting tools, equipment, environments, and activities to enhance function as well as design and fabrication of orthoses.

Credits: 2

This course continues discussion of concepts of written and oral professional communication and provides opportunities for practice of skills in communication, time management, supervision and delegation, patient evaluation, infection control/universal precautions, cardiopulmonary resuscitation/first aid, mobility training, and patient education in simulated physical therapy practice environments. It also provides the opportunity to appreciate the perspective of patients/families.

Credits: 1

Students learn about the medical management of central nervous system, cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders as well as other common conditions. Risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms and differential diagnoses are some of the issues addressed. Lectures are combined with weekly problem-based learning sessions to promote critical thinking and an evidence-based approach to treatment.

Credits: 3

This second course in neuroscience develops students’ ability to understand the clinical relevance and applications of neuroscience to physical therapy. Topics include neuropharmacology, autonomic nervous system, limbic system, higher cortical functions such as cognition, memory, and learning, and neuroplasticity and motor learning. Neural control of locomotion, balance, and coordination are considered. Theories of motor control are introduced and discussed along with foundational concepts in neuroscience to inform directives for physical therapy examination and treatment interventions.

Credits: 3.0

This course addresses the theoretical principles of physiological and neurophysiological changes that occur as a result of the application of physical modalities. Students will develop skill in application of these modalities including superficial/deep heating agents, cold agents, light therapies and external compression. Content includes manipulation of agent parameters in order to perform an effective and efficient treatment given patient variables. In addition, the course addresses the evaluation and care of the integument system including wound care and lymphatic conditions.

Credits: 3

This course is a continuation of Physical Agents I addressing application of additional physical agents, and introducing electrotherapeutic modalities that are used in physical therapy practice. Electrotherapy for muscle strengthening, improved function, motor control, pain management and surface electromyography is discussed with emphasis on manipulation of equipment parameters for safe and effective application of these modalities. Electrophysiologic evaluation in physical therapy practice is introduced as well as basic principles of aquatic therapy.

Credits: 3

This is the third course in the Physical Therapy Intervention series. This course builds on the principles of developing intervention plans of therapeutic exercise and/or non-thrust joint mobilization previously introduced in Physical Therapy Interventions II. This course applies those principles to areas of the body not previously covered including the spinal, temporomandibular, pelvic and lower extremity joints. In addition, clinical conditions affecting these areas of the body will be discussed as they relate to developing physical therapy intervention plans.

Credits: 3

This is the first of three courses introducing the assessment and treatment of impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in persons with neurologic dysfunction. This course focuses on adults with CVA, TBI, PD or vestibular disorders. Using a motor control framework and the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, students will learn to select, perform, interpret, and modify examination procedures and evidence-based interventions, techniques, and compensatory strategies in the attainment of functional goals.

Credits: 5

This is the second of three courses introducing students to the assessment and treatment of impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in patients with neurologic dysfunction. This course focuses on children with hypertonia (cerebral palsy), hypotonia (Down’s syndrome), and spinal cord injury (myelomeningocele). Students will learn, select, perform, interpret, and modify age-appropriate examination procedures, as well as, intervention strategies within a family-centered environment. Lecture, lab, a clinical observation experience, and a group case project will facilitate learning.

Credits: 4

This course is a three-week, full-time, supervised clinical experience in a healthcare environment. Students practice skills in communication, patient evaluation and management, infection control/standard precautions, and patient education.

Credits: 3

This course is a ten week, full-time, supervised clinical practice in a healthcare environment. Students earn 1 credit for each 40 hour week of clinic work. The course includes a project on serving underserved populations and/or cultural competence in healthcare. Students earn 1 credit for the project.

Credits: 11

Students develop an evidence-based, detailed, and publishable quality manuscript for either an experimental design project, a systematic review, or case report. For the experimental design projects and the systematic reviews, students will work under the guidance of the faculty advisor beginning in the winter quarter of the first year. For the case report, students meet with their faculty advisor prior to Practicum II regarding selection of a patient and expectations of the report. After the final written report is accepted, projects are presented orally as either a platform or poster presentation.

Credits: 2

This is the last course in a 3 course series, designed to reinforce and enhance the reasoning process used to make clinical decisions. In this course, clinical problem solving and patient management decisions focus on children and adults who present with complex medical conditions. To facilitate knowledge synthesis and application, this course will include complex patient cases requiring online and in-class activities, critical appraisal of evidence, and the development of a plan for successful completion of the NPTE exam.

Credits: 2

This course introduces students to the use of upper and lower extremity prostheses. Components, materials, design, fitting, alignment, prescription, training, and total patient management are discussed. Emphasis is placed on lower extremity prostheses, development of basic analytical and psychomotor skills for adapting tools, equipment, environments, and activities to enhance function. A combination of lecture, discussion, laboratory, and group projects are used to achieve the course objectives.

Credits: 2

This is the second of two courses which facilitate the student's understanding of the roles of the physical therapist and current professional issues. This course builds on previous coursework in patient/client management, educational principles, management and supervision, and administration, Preparation for Clinical Education I and II as well as Practica I and II. Focus is on the role of the physical therapist as a supervisor, a consultant, clinical educator and contributor to the professional body of knowledge. The impact of a variety of professional issues on healthcare and physical therapy practice are discussed. Issues related to the transition from the professional preparation program to clinical practice are discussed.

Credits: 3

This course introduces principles of physical therapy practice with children and expands on pediatric physical therapy patient/client management introduced in earlier courses. This course will cover topics relevant to pediatric practice in three broad areas: pediatric settings (NICU, EI, school, outpatient rehabilitation), laws governing pediatric practice (IDEA parts B & C), and management of conditions frequently seen by pediatric physical therapists. The course will focus on the comprehensive physical therapy management of children who present with: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, torticollis, brachial plexus injury, genetic disorders, orthopedic conditions, and pediatric sports injuries. Lectures, labs, case studies, and group projects facilitate learning in this course.

Credits: 2

This lab based course will examine, in detail, the anatomical structures of the extremities, head and trunk. Bones, joint structures, muscles, nerves and vessels and their relationship to joint movement and function will be emphasized. Information about these structures and their function will be applied to clinical issues that relate to human movement, structural impairment and physical therapy assessment and treatment. Self-directed learning is an expectation of this course.

Credits: 3

This course addresses practice issues in three broad categories. Principles of critical inquiry are applied to clinical decision making skills when evaluating different approaches to physical therapy. Students research and present the strengths and weaknesses of varied approaches (i.e., kinesiotaping, rolfing, Tai Chi, ASTYM, ankle and knee bracing, etc.). The second category explores practice issues related to industrial medicine, women's health, pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pain and joint replacement. The third category discusses evaluation and intervention for older adults.

Credits: 3

This is the first of two courses devoted to management in physical therapy settings. The course provides a foundation in healthcare environments and delivery systems, personnel management, organizational structures and systems, supervision, leadership, fiscal management, reimbursement and documentation, sales and marketing, legal issues, risk management and outcomes measurement and management.

Credits: 3

Students apply principles from PTHED 1751: Management in Physical Therapy Systems. Structured around the development of a strategic plan for a rehabilitation product or service, this course includes forming and integrating organization, marketing, sales, management, production/service, financial and evaluation strategies. Student teams design a strategic plan provided by community facilities. Students present their strategic plans via a written report and an oral presentation.

Credits: 2

In this course students apply principles presented in Health Promotion I and principles of teaching and learning. The students plan, implement, and evaluate a health promotion and/or disease/injury prevention program for a community group in need of wellness or prevention services under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Each group provides an oral presentation to their classmates focusing on an in-depth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of their program. This class is a combination of independent study and discussion.

Credits: 2

This is the final course addressing advanced issues in individuals with musculoskeletal dysfunction. This course builds on previous content and unites evaluation and intervention of patients with complex spinal and extremity musculoskeletal problems including pre- and post-surgical situations. Course content will also promote application of concepts introduced earlier the curriculum including pain science, pharmacology and imaging to advance clinical decision making and evaluation and intervention planning. Additional course content includes task specific performance evaluation and training, return to play decision making, and health and wellness and fitness screening.

Credits: 4

This final course in the neurologic evaluation and treatment series continues the focus on the assessment and treatment of impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in adults with neurologic dysfunction. Management of persons with spinal cord injury, cerebellar dysfunction, progressive neurological disorders, and headaches/concussion symptoms is discussed. Application of examination and treatment process will be considered through a case scenario format. Students will be expected to develop and execute treatments for patients with dysfunction.

Credits: 3

This course is a ten-week, full-time, supervised clinical practice in a healthcare environment. Students earn 1 credit for each 40 hour week of clinic work. The course includes an independent study component that utilizes evidence based practice to answer a clinical question. Students earn 1 credit for the evidence based practice project. For either Practicum III or Practicum IV, this course will also include a written reflection regarding interprofessional practice within clinical education.

Credits: 12

This course is a ten-week, full-time, supervised clinical practice in a healthcare environment. Students earn 1 credit for each 40 hour week of clinic work. The course includes an independent study component that utilizes evidence based practice to answer a clinical question. Students earn 1 credit for the evidence based practice project. For either Practicum III or Practicum IV, this course will also include a written reflection regarding interprofessional practice within clinical education.

Credits: 12