Clinical Education in PT

Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program complete 39 weeks of full-time clinical rotations over the course of the curriculum. Students gain experience in inpatient and outpatient settings with a variety of patients across the lifespan in preparation for generalist physical therapy practice. A 15-week clinical experience during the final semester allows DPT students to focus on a preferred area of practice and interest.

PT 647 – Clinical Experience I

Students participate in an eight-week clinical rotation that focuses on continued development of basic patient management skills from examination through intervention. This is the first of four full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum.

PT 677 – Clinical Experience II

Students participate in an eight-week clinical rotation that focuses on continued development of patient management skills from examination through intervention. This is the second of four full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum.

PT 687 – Clinical Experience III

Students participate in an eight-week clinical rotation that focuses on continued development of patient management skills from examination through intervention. This is the third of four full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum.

PT 697 – Clinical Experience IV

Students participate in a 15- week clinical experience that focuses on development of entry-level patient management skills from examination through intervention, as well as development of other skills related to practice such as consultation and administration. This is the culminating full-time clinical rotation after which students are expected to possess the skills and behaviors required to enter practice as a physical therapist.

Students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant program are required to complete three full time clinical education experiences, which include one inpatient experience and one outpatient experience. It is also highly suggested that students do not repeat the same clinical focus, as this allows students to be exposed to a greater variety of settings in preparation for the licensing exam and their future careers. The third clinical experience can be selected based upon the student’s area of interest, site availability and clinical skills not yet at entry level.

PTA 291 – Clinical Experience I

Students participate in a five-week clinical experience, in a facility affiliated with the program that focuses on development of basic patient management skills including intervention. The experience is scheduled during the summer timeframe after the first year in the program. This is the first of three full-time clinical experiences within the PTA curriculum.

PTA 292 – Clinical Experience II

Students participate in a six-week clinical rotation in a facility affiliated with the program that focuses on continued development of patient management skills from assessment through intervention.  The rotation is scheduled during the summer time frame after the second year in the program. This is the second of three full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum.

PTA 293 – Clinical Experience III

Students participate in a seven-week clinical rotation in a facility affiliated with the program that focuses on the development of entry-level patient management skills from assessment through intervention.  This is the culminating full-time clinical rotation after which students are expected to possess the skills and behaviors required to enter practice as a physical therapist assistant. The rotation is scheduled during the summer timeframe after the second year in the program. This is the third of three full-time clinical rotations within the curriculum.