Physical Therapy

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  • Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program

     

    Purpose

    The program is meant to enhance the quality of physical therapy practice by enable practicing licensed physical therapists to update their education background, enhance their clinical skills and receive the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. It is planned with enough flexibility to meet the educational needs of enrolled practitioners. Courses will be offered through a combination of concentrated course modules and distance learning activities that will enable practicing professionals to complete the program without relinquishing their present employment.

    Admission criteria

    The transitional DPT program will suspend enrollment of new students at the conclusion of the Spring 2013 enrollment period.  Make your plans now to apply for the Spring 2013 semester! 

    For admission into the program, applicants must be licensed physical therapist practitioners and have graduated from an accredited educational program with either a bachelors or masters degree in physical therapy. Applicants will be required to take the GRE. The admissions committee will require a completed application and may require a personal interview.

    Curriculum

    Since the students who will qualify for this track are already licensed physical therapists, the program is designed without clinical courses. The program will contain two tracks, one for the practitioner who has an entry level bachelor of physical therapy degree and another for the practitioner who has the master of physical therapy degree. The required courses for each educational track represent the major curricular modifications associated with the new entry level DPT degree offered by the program.

    Curricular course selections will allow the students to take a program that will improve skills and knowledge related to their current work situation and/or future physical therapy career goals. Practitioners who entered the profession with a baccalaureate degree are required to satisfactorily complete 50 hours of course credit in residence at UMMC. Practitioners who entered the profession with a master of physical therapy degree are required to satisfactorily complete 35 hours of course credit in residence at UMMC.

    Degree requirements

    Following satisfactory completion of all course requirements the student will be awarded the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Mississippi. Candidates for the DPT must have completed the required curriculum with a 3.00 GPA. The time limit for completing all requirements for the DPT is 6 years from the date of first registration for those entering with a BS PT degree and 3 years for those entering with a MPT or MS PT degree.

    Bachelor of Physical Therapy to Doctor of Physical Therapy track

    For this track, 50 credit hours are required. The courses are as follows:

    PT505 Pharmacological Principles for Physical Therapists
    PT543Emerging Professional Roles of Physical Therapy Practitioners
    PT544Legal and Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy Practice
    PT545Physical Therapy Management and Healthcare Delivery Systems
    PT565Research and Evidence Based Physical Therapy Practice
    PT710Principles of Education in Physical Therapy
    PT714Prevention and Wellness Physical Therapy Roles
    PT722Physical Therapy Clinical Examination I
    PT723Physical Therapy Clinical Examination II
    PT750Integration of Professional Practice Concepts *

    Master of Physical Therapy to Doctor of Physical Therapy track

    For this track, 35 credit hours are required. The courses are as follows:

    PT710Principles of Education in Physical Therapy
    PT714Prevention and Wellness Physical Therapy Roles
    PT722Physical Therapy Clinical Examination I
    PT723Physical Therapy Clinical Examination II
    PT750Integration of Professional Practice Concepts*

    * Upon completion of the course the student receives 20 hours of credit applicable toward hours required for the DPT degree. Students on the BS to DPT track must complete 50 credit hours in residence and students on the MPT to DPT track must complete 35 credit hours in residence on the UMMC campus.

    *The term "in residence" indicates enrollment in the DPT program. 

    Course descriptions

    • PT505 Pharmacologic Principles for the Physical Therapist. A study of pharmacologic agents used in the treatment of disorders of the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and integumentary systems. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0)
    • PT543 Emerging Professional Roles of Physical Therapy Practitioners. A survey of the developing roles of physical therapy practitioners within the field of rehabilitation and community outreach programs. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT544 Legal and Ethical Issues in Physical Therapy Practice A review of legal and ethical concepts affecting physical therapy practice. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT545 Physical Therapy Management and Healthcare Delivery Systems A review of healthcare delivery systems and management issues related to physical therapy. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT565 Research and Evidence Based Physical Therapy Practice. An intensive introduction to research concepts, methods, and techniques with emphasis on those that facilitate the development of evidenced based physical therapy practice. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT710 Principles of Education in Physical Therapy A survey of the theories of adult and clinical education with the focus on practical application in the practice setting. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT714 Physical Therapist Roles in Prevention and Wellness An examination of the role of physical therapy in health promotion, health protection, wellness, and the prevention of illness and disability. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT722 Physical Therapy Clinical Examination I. A review of the physical therapy examination process with integration of medical screening principles. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT723 Physical Therapy Clinical Examination II. A survey of imaging modalities and other diagnostic procedures with emphasis on how the results of these procedures influence the physical therapy management of patients and clients. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).
    • PT750 Integration of Professional Practice Concepts. Comprehensive clinical case analyses based on the patient/client management model with integration of evidence-based physical therapy practice. (3 semester hours) (3-0-0).

    Admission requirements

    Documentation of graduation from an accredited physical therapist educational program with a bachelor or master of physical therapy degree. (Graduates of a UMMC physical therapist program will not need to submit a UMMC transcript.)

    • Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
    • A photocopy of the current physical therapist license to practice
    • An official report of GRE Scores
    • A resume with career goals
    • A completed and signed application with all required documentation

    Application procedure and fee

    Program enrollment is limited. Students will be admitted fall and spring semesters. The application deadlines are June 30 for fall applicationand Oct. 30 for spring application. All applicants pay a nonrefundable application fee of $25.

    Fees

    Tuition is $328.18 per semester hour for in-state residents and $836.84 per semester hour for out-of-state students.