DPT Curriculum
Our rigorous curriculum is built around 4 key areas: basic science, clinical science, leadership & professional development,and critical inquiry. The DPT plan of study integrates the basic sciences and clinical practice, emphasizes evidence basedpractice and includes a comprehensive array of course off erings in musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary,cardiopulmonary, geriatric, and pediatric physical therapy, as well as course content related to leadership & professionaldevelopment.
We want to make sure our graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce so we complement our didactic educationprogram with a clinical program that includes 42 weeks of full-time clinical internships. The curriculum is designed toemphasize early and intensive integration of our students into the clinical environment throughout their educationalprogram. Our students begin their clinical affi liations during the 2nd semester in the program and conclude with twoconsecutive 15-week termal clinical education experiences.
PhD Requirements
The Department of Bioengineering follows university guidelines on students working toward joint degrees like the DPT-PhD in Bioengineering. Typically, we have waived the life science requirement (6 credits) as comparable coursework is covered in the physical therapy curriculum. The remaining course requirements closely follow requirements for the PhD in Bioengineering.
- Bioengineering Track Courses - 9 credits
- Graduate Electives - 6 credits
- Graduate Engineering Mathematics - 3 credits
- Statistics for Bioengineers - 3 credits
- Societal, Political, and Ethical Issues in Bioengineering (or equivalent bioethics course) - 3 credits
- Seminar - 6 credits total, 4 credits must be the Bioengineering Seminar, which is or . One of the four seminars can be substituted with a Preparation for STEM academic career course, when combined with appropriate certification. The other 2 credits may be from BIOENG 2023, BIOENG 2024 or any other seminars deemed appropriate by the Graduate Program Director. Please see list of for suggestions.
- Grant Writing in Bioengineering - 1 credit
- Doctoral Dissertation Research,
and
BIOENG 3999 - 12 credits of 3999 to be taken after the proposal - 35 credits
Total number of credit hours: 72 credits minimum, which includes 6 credits to fulfill life science requirement but does not include credits from foundational courses if applicable.
DPT/PhD students are also required to complete two teaching practicums before presenting their PhD proposal (comprehensive examination). No more than one practicum can be undertaken in a semester. There is no course registration for this educational experience, and fulfillment is monitored by the department. Students typically take the PhD preliminary exam in the next summer term after they have completed 2 full terms in the program but may be taken after only one term if approved by the Department. The PhD proposal (comprehensive examination) is presented generally at the end of the second year. A final public PhD defense is made by each PhD candidate based on the student's research work.
Please see the Department of Bioengineering's PhD Requirements page for more details.