DPT in Physical Therapy

Degree Requirements

All students admitted must maintain a 3.0 grade point average with no grade below a C in courses required for the degree. Failure to achieve a semester or professional cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in required courses will result in probation or dismissal from the program. Students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment in the curriculum and complete the degree requirements as outlined in the course of study. Any exception must be approved by departmental faculty. Students must demonstrate the personal behaviors and characteristics associated with optimal patient welfare and professional trust.

PH_THR 5100Introduction to Interprofessional Practice 1
PH_THR 5110Fundamentals of Physical Therapy1
PH_THR 5200Problems in Physical Therapy 1
PH_THR 5210Applied Neurophysiology3
PH_THR 5220Biophysical Agents2
PH_THR 5230Clinical Evaluation and Procedures 4
PH_THR 5240Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise3
PH_THR 5250Human Kinesiology3
PH_THR 5260Introduction to Clinical Education I1
PH_THR 5270PhysZOU I0.5
PH_THR 5310Applied Therapeutic Exercise3
PH_THR 5320Clinical Kinesiology 3
PH_THR 5330Clinical Pathophysiology3
PH_THR 5340Introduction to Clinical Education II1
PH_THR 5350Introduction to Orthopedic Physical Therapy 3
PH_THR 5360Pharmacology in Rehabilitation2
PH_THR 5370PhysZOU II0.5
PH_THR 6410Clinical Education I5
PH_THR 6510Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy3
PH_THR 6520Evidence-Based Practice3
PH_THR 6530Orthopedic Physical Therapy3
PH_THR 6540Pediatric Physical Therapy4
PH_THR 6550PhysZOU III0.5
PH_THR 6560Rehabilitation of the Neurologically Impaired Adult4
PH_THR 6620Case Management: Acute and Chronic Medical and Surgical Conditions5
PH_THR 6630Clinical Education II6
PH_THR 6640Diagnostic Imaging in Rehabilitation3
PH_THR 6650PhysZOU IV0.5
PH_THR 6660Psychosocial Issues for Health Promotion2
PH_THR 6610Assessment and Neuropsychology of Pain1
PH_THR 6710Case Management: Neurological Impairments Across the Lifespan5
PH_THR 6810Case Management: Geriatrics and Orthopedics5
PH_THR 6820Clinical Education III6
PH_THR 6830Health Policy and Leadership in Physical Therapy 2
PH_THR 6840PhysZOU V0.5
PH_THR 6850Professional Issues3
PH_THR 6910Clinical Education IV6
PH_THR 6920PhysZOU VI And Professional Development Plan0.5
PH_THR 6930Seminar in Physical Therapy4
PH_THR 6940Special Skills in Physical Therapy1
PTH_AS 7222Gross Human Anatomy (The Health Professions)7

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Plan of Study

The professional program is offered in sequential blocks and requires full-time enrollment for three academic years (including summer sessions), beginning in the summer session following acceptance. The curriculum contains foundational and clinical sciences combining traditional lectures and course work, laboratory sessions, team based learning classes and clinical education. More than 200 clinical sites in Missouri and beyond are available for supervised clinical education.

A graduate must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to receive a license to practice in the United States. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduates are eligible for licensure anywhere in the United States.

*DPT Sample Curriculum

Summer First year
PTH_AS 7222Gross Human Anatomy (The Health Professions)7
PH_THR 5110Fundamentals of Physical Therapy1
Fall First year
PH_THR 5210Applied Neurophysiology3
PH_THR 5220Biophysical Agents2
PH_THR 5230Clinical Evaluation and Procedures4
PH_THR 5240Foundations of Therapeutic Exercise3
PH_THR 5250Human Kinesiology3
PH_THR 5260Introduction to Clinical Education I1
PH_THR 5270PhysZOU I0.5
Spring First year
PH_THR 5100Introduction to Interprofessional Practice1
PH_THR 5310Applied Therapeutic Exercise3
PH_THR 5320Clinical Kinesiology3
PH_THR 5330Clinical Pathophysiology3
PH_THR 5340Introduction to Clinical Education II1
PH_THR 5350Introduction to Orthopedic Physical Therapy3
PH_THR 5360Pharmacology in Rehabilitation2
PH_THR 5370PhysZOU II0.5
Summer Second Year
PH_THR 6410Clinical Education I5
Fall Second Year
PH_THR 6510Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy3
PH_THR 6520Evidence-Based Practice3
PH_THR 6530Orthopedic Physical Therapy3
PH_THR 6540Pediatric Physical Therapy4
PH_THR 6550PhysZOU III0.5
PH_THR 6560Rehabilitation of the Neurologically Impaired Adult4
Spring Second Year
PH_THR 6620Case Management: Acute and Chronic Medical and Surgical Conditions5
PH_THR 6630Clinical Education II6
PH_THR 6640Diagnostic Imaging in Rehabilitation3
PH_THR 6650PhysZOU IV0.5
PH_THR 6660Psychosocial Issues for Health Promotion2
Summer Third Year
PH_THR 6610Assessment and Neuropsychology of Pain1
PH_THR 6710Case Management: Neurological Impairments Across the Lifespan5
Fall Third Year
PH_THR 6810Case Management: Geriatrics and Orthopedics5
PH_THR 6820Clinical Education III6
PH_THR 6830Health Policy and Leadership in Physical Therapy2
PH_THR 6840PhysZOU V0.5
PH_THR 6850Professional Issues3
Spring Third Year
PH_THR 6910Clinical Education IV6
PH_THR 6920PhysZOU VI And Professional Development Plan0.5
PH_THR 6930Seminar in Physical Therapy4
PH_THR 6940Special Skills in Physical Therapy1
Total Credits114
*

Subject to change.

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Application and Admission Information

All applicants will apply to the Graduate School online admission process. Graduate School applications must be submitted and complete by September 30th.

The departmental application will be completed during the on-line admission process.

Students who are admitted without a degree will receive a bachelor’s degree upon completion of the first year of the program.

Admission Criteria

  • Minimum TOEFL scores:
Internet-based test (iBT) Area iBT Score Paper-based test (PBT) Area PBT Score
Reading 17 Reading 52
Listening 17 Listening 52
Speaking 17 Speaking N/A
Writing 17 Writing 17
TOTAL 80 TOTAL 550
  • Minimum IELTS scores:
Item Score
Reading 6
Listening 6
Speaking 6
Writing 6
Total Score 6.5
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0

Required Application Materials

To Graduate School:

  • All required Graduate School documents/application fee
  • Departmental application/application fee
  • 2 letters of recommendation as specified by the application instructions
  • Activities and Awards Questionnaire as specified by the application instructions
  • Distinct Experiences and Attributes Essay (see application instructions)
  • Unofficial transcripts (year of application, summer grades must be recorded on transcript)

Admission Contact Information

Beverly Denbigh
College of Health Sciences
801 Clark Hall
573-882-7103 or 7250
573-884-8369 (Fax)

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Prerequisites for the Doctoral Degree

Note: The DPT program accepts students to begin the professional program only for summer terms, which begin in June.

Admission to the DPT program is available through regular admission (applicants will have a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the professional program) or through an early admission option that allows students to enter the professional program with 90 credit hours.

Regular admission applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA in the core required courses and the cumulative GPA in the last 60+ credit hours.

Students who enter without a bachelor’s degree must have satisfied general education and graduation requirements, including two Writing Intensive courses. These applicants must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application.

On-campus interviews are required for admission to the professional program.

Applicants are notified of the selection committee’s decision by December.

All students are strongly encouraged to contact the College of Health Sciences, Office of Student Services, for advisement and planning well in advance of application.

Admission to the program is selective.

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