Curriculum
New 2026 Curriculum
Fall, Block One (8 weeks)
- Gross Anatomy (CBPH 791) – 4 CR
- Pathology and Pharmacology (PHYT 742) – 2 CR
- Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Illness I (PHYT 750) – 1 CR
Fall, Block Two (8 weeks)
- Introduction to PT Exam and Intervention (PHYT 720) – 4 CR
- Foundations of Human Movement (PHYT 730) – 3 CR
- Exercise Foundations and Prescription (PHYT 726) – 2 CR
Spring (16 weeks)
- Motor Dev. & Human Movement Assessment Across the Lifespan (PHYT 701) – 4 CR
- Functional Neuroanatomy (CBPH 793) – 3 CR
- Cardiopulmonary PT Exam and Intervention (PHYT 710) – 3 CR
- Musculoskeletal I-PT Intervention (PHYT 732) – 4 CR
- Clin ed seminar I (PHYT 760) – 1 CR
- Clinical Practicum I, 2 weeks part time (PHYT 761) – 1 CR
Summer 1&2 (10 weeks)
- Pain Science and Biophysical Agents (PHYT 722) – 3 CR
- Neuromuscular Assessment & Intervention I (PHYT 784) – 3 CR
- Motor Control (PHYT 727) – 1 CR
Credits for the year: 39
Fall, Block One (8 weeks)
- Applied Manual Therapy, with MSK lab (PHYT 723) – 1 CR
- Evidence Based Practice I (PHYT 751) – 3 CR
- Musculoskeletal II-PT Intervention, with AMT (PHYT 734) – 4 CR
Fall, Block Two (10 weeks)
- Clinical Practicum II (PHYT 764) – 5 CR
Spring (16 weeks)
- Neuromuscular Assessment & Intervention II (PHYT 785) – 4 CR
- Advanced Patient Cases & Differential Diagnosis (PHYT 798) – 3 CR
- Health Behavior & Health Promotion (PHYT 824) – 3 CR
- Managing Contemporary Practice (PHYT 705) – 3 CR
- Elective; see other tab – 2 CR
Summer 1 (10 weeks)
- Clinical Practicum III (PHYT 768) – 5 CR
- Clinical Education Seminar II (PHYT 765)
Credits for the year: 34
Fall (16 weeks)
- Advanced Patient Management (PHYT 820) – 4 CR
- Evidence-Based Practice II (PHYT 752) – 3 CR
- Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Illness II (PHYT 755) – 1 CR
- Practice Issues I (PHYT 739) – 2 CR
- Elective; see other tab – 2 CR
- Capstone Project I (PHYT 852) – 1 CR
Spring 1 (6 weeks)
- Capstone Project II (PHYT 854) – 2 CR
- Practice Issues II (PHYT 839) – 2 CR
Spring 2 (12 weeks)
- Clinical Practicum IV (PHYT 770) – 6 CR
- Clinical Education Seminar III (PHYT 769) – 1 CR
Credits for the year: 24
Fall Electives (in division)
- Advanced Orthopedic Assessment (PHYT 875) – 2 CR
- Child and Family Assess & Interv (PHYT 880) – 2 CR
- Research Experience (PHYT 754) – 1,2,3 CR
- Teacher Scholar (PHYT 872) – 1 CR
- Independent Study (PHYT 800) – 1,2,3 CR
- Topics in Sports Physical Therapy (PHYT 874) – 2 CR
- Advanced Neuromuscular Interv (PHYT 885) – 2 CR
Spring Electives (in division)
- Research Experience (PHYT 754) – 1,2,3 CR
- International Service Learning Trip (PHYT 895) – 1 CR
- NC Service Learning Trip (PHYT 896) – 1 CR
- Independent Study (PHYT 800) – 1,2,3 CR
- Total FT Clinical: 32 weeks + 2 weeks ICE
- Total Credits: 97
The DPT program requires three full years of study (36 consecutive months) with 108 hours of didactic and clinical courses and 36 weeks of clinical rotations. Students are also required to successfully complete four mock clinical cases, a written comprehensive examination, and a capstone project.
Based on our program mission and philosophy, the program objectives reflect the outcomes we expect from our students at the completion of the program. With satisfactory mastery of the program objectives, students are well prepared for licensure and clinical practice in a variety of clinical settings.
Coursework is completed over three years beginning with basic sciences and progressing to clinical sciences and clinical rotations. Students should expect to be in the classroom between 25 and 35 hours per week during the didactic work throughout the first two years of the program. Clinical rotations require 40 hours per week of clinical contact time. During the final year of the program, courses are taught through a combination of in-class and online formats. Students should continue to expect to participate in class-related activities on a full-time basis. The curriculum overview provides an outline of the timing of various courses. For a brief description of individual courses, consult the course descriptions.
Our program affiliates with approximately 200 clinical education facilities both inside and outside of North Carolina. Students are assigned to four eight-to-12 week clinical affiliations for a total of 36 weeks of full-time clinical experience. Students must work with patients of all ages and in a variety of clinical conditions to gain the entry-level knowledge and skills they need in the general practice of physical therapy. Students’ special interests are considered as clinical assignments are made. Each student must have clinical experience in three settings (musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and acute care) and one site must fulfill service to an underserved facility or area.