Pitt Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce. The hybrid and on-campus options offer students the same didactic education complemented by clinical experience that includes 42 weeks of full-time immersive and hands-on experience.
While the didactic portion of the program is designed around one common curriculum, the residential and hybrid options allow for the unique delivery of and engagement with course content.
The curriculum is designed to emphasize early and intensive integration of Pitt students into the clinical environment throughout their time in the program.
Focus Areas
Students engage in interactive learning, labs and coursework that equip graduates to become leading experts in providing efficient and effective patient-centered care. Core areas of study include:
- Musculoskeletal
- Neuromuscular
- Integumentary
- Cardiopulmonary
- Geriatrics
- Evidence-based practice
- Professional development and leadership
Clinical Education
Students begin clinical education during the second term in the program and end with 30 consecutive weeks of clinical education after the didactic plan of study.
Through extensive clinical placements, students gain hands-on experiences in well renowned medical and rehabilitation centers.
Hands-on Lab Experiences for Hybrid Option Students
Each of the first five semesters of the hybrid option will include integrated intensive immersion laboratory experiences that are held on-campus. The immersions allow for the practice and mastery of the psychomotor and clinical decision-making skills necessary for examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and assessment of outcomes. Immersions (two per term, lasting six to nine days) will be structured to provide the laboratory experiences and competency assessments associated with the courses that students are currently taking.
Learn more about the hybrid immersions.
Terms 6 and 7 are full-time terminal clinical educational experiences and will not require laboratory immersions.
