Physical Therapy, D.P.T.
Program Description
The entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Kean follows a hybrid curricular model including many planned, advanced learning experiences such as: problem-based learning, integrated clinical experiences, clinical grand rounds, and online course delivery. The program includes a total of 42 weeks of full-time clinical practice experiences. In addition, the program will include 240 hours of integrated clinical experiences for students, to accompany their major clinical-didactic courses, and have the application of knowledge reinforced throughout the duration of the program.
Through this curricular model, students will progress from the acquisition of, to the application of knowledge and psychomotor skill during each semester of the program. Students will have an early introduction to the application of knowledge in clinical settings, beginning in their second semester. They will gain an early understanding of clinical practice environments and the importance of clinical outcomes in physical therapy. Throughout their varied classroom and clinical practice experiences, students will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of autonomy, advocacy, leadership, and management within physical therapy practice, as part of an evolving heath care system.
Curriculum highlights include:
- Team-based human gross anatomy course with cadaver dissection
- Systems-based approach to clinical evaluation, differential diagnosis and intervention
- Problem-based learning component within clinically oriented courses
- Interprofessional Grand Rounds series
- Research and Evidence-based practice series, with emphasis on clinical outcomes, culminating in a faculty-mentored project focused on patient outcomes
- Management and Leadership Development series emphasizing business acumen required for business leadership development within the profession
- 42 weeks of full-time clinical education, and 240 hours of integrated clinical education, specifically linked to clinical content within a given curricular year
Prerequisite Coursework
44 credits of basic, applied and social science courses. Each candidate seeking consideration for acceptance into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program much show evidence of having completed the following courses with a grade of “C” or better.
- 3 credits- English Composition
- 3 credits- General Psychology
- 3 credits- Upper-level Psychology, Sociology or Philosophy
- 8 credits- Biological Sciences (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in biology
- 8 credits- Anatomy and Physiology (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in A&P
- 8 credits- Chemistry (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in chemistry
- 8 credits- Physics (with labs)-A two-semester sequence in physics
- 3 credits- Statistics
Degree Requirements
- 9-semesters of curricular study (129 credits); 3 full-time semesters of clinical education.
Program Sequence
First Semester 13
| DPT6000 | HUMAN GROSS AND SURFACE ANATOMY LECTURE | 3 |
| DPT6001 | HUMAN GROSS ANATOMY LAB | 4 |
| DPT 6010 | HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| DPT 6100 | FOUNDATIONAL ASPECTS OF PHYS THERAPY PRACTICE | 3 |
Second Semester 16
| DPT 6110 | PHYSICAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT OF THE MUSCULOLKELETAL SYSTEM I | 5 |
| DPT 6020 | CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE | 4 |
| DPT 6120 | KINESIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS | 3 |
| DPT 6200 | CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE: PT POLICY AND PRACTICE | 2 |
| DPT 6300 | CLINICAL GRAND ROUNDS I | 1 |
| DPT 6600 | INTEGRATED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE I | 1 |
Third Semester 17
Fourth Semester 11
Fifth Semester17
Sixth Semester 16
| DPT 6151 | PHYSICAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM II | 5 |
| DPT 6131 | HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS THROUGH EDUCATION | 3 |
| DPT 6210 | ETHICS, ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE | 3 |
| DPT 6330 | CLINICAL GRAND ROUNDS 4 | 1 |
Seventh Semester 13
| DPT 6170 | HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| DPT 6180 | INTEGRATIVE/MULTISYSTEM PHYSICAL THERAPY | 3 |
| DPT 6230 | DPT INDEPENDENT STUDY | 3 |
| DPT 6190 | CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX PATIENT MANAGEMENT | 2 |
| DPT 6240 | ACCOUNTABILITY AND DOCUMENTATION IN PHYSICAL THERAPY | 1 |
Eighth Semester 13
Ninth Semester 13
Total Credit Hours: 129