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Baylor University
Physical Therapy
Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
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Baylor BU Physical Therapy DPT Program Curriculum Course Descriptions Class of 2028 and Following
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      • Class of 2027 and Prior
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Class of 2028 and Following

SUMMER TERM B

DPT 6301 Human Anatomy I (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Introduces gross human anatomy and the movement system. Explores embryology, histology, anatomical terminology, joint, muscle and nerve structure, and basic biomechanics of the movement system through lecture and interactive learning. Introduces concepts of health-related genetics and clinical genomics applicable to physical therapy practice and the physical therapist’s role in regenerative medicine. Laboratory experience includes learning related to observation, posture, and palpation. 


DPT 6302 Introduction to Physical Therapy (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Introduces foundational aspects of physical therapist practice, the role of physical therapy within the healthcare system, American Physical Therapy Association’s Guide to Physical Therapy Practice & Patient Client Management Model, International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, communications, ICD-10 and procedural coding, medical terminology, and body mechanics. Online learning activities include lectures, discussions, and interactive assignments.


DPT 6303 Professional Physical Therapist Practice I (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Admission to Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

This course introduces the student physical therapist to the profession of physical therapy highlighting integral constructs, such as professionalism, professional ethics and values, patient/practitioner interactions, incorporation of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging within the healthcare setting, and components of interprofessional collaborative practice. The course culminates with students creating individual professional mission statements as they begin their journey toward becoming physical therapists. Learning experiences include lecture and interactive assignments. Laboratory experiences include professionalism, intercultural learning, and teambuilding. 


TRIMESTER 1 (FALL)

DPT 6212 Functional Movement (2 credits) 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Summer Term B courses

This course introduces students to the science of movement and movement analysis. It begins by introducing physical therapy as a movement profession that uses the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health as vital in the process of clinical decision making. This course emphasizes concepts of neuroplasticity, theories of motor control, motor development, and motor learning.


DPT 6214 Clinical Medicine I (2 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Summer Term B courses

This course introduces and initiates the integration of medical screening, pathophysiology, diagnostic imaging principles and techniques, and pharmacotherapeutics across various practice settings. The application uses a system-based approach to identify disabilities across the lifespan. 


DPT 6300 Human Physiology (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Summer Term B courses

This course introduces students to the various physiological systems and principles that impact human movement and health across the lifespan through a multisystem approach to the human body. Students gain an understanding of how to apply key characteristics of physiological systems into clinical reasoning to enhance evidence-informed care and build the knowledge necessary for physical therapist practice.


DPT 6501 Human Anatomy II (5 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Summer Term B courses

Expands gross human anatomy into the exploration of structure and function of the axial and appendicular skeletons, neuromuscular system, and organ systems as components of human movement. Introduces concepts of neuromusculoskeletal impairments. Online learning activities include lecture and 3D software. Laboratory experiences include cadaver prosections, living/surface anatomy, and anatomical methods.


DPT 6540 Physical Therapy Examination (5 credits) 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Summer Term B courses

This course introduces interview, tests and measures, communication, and documentation skills used in physical therapist practice across multiple clinical settings. Lab activities include psychomotor skill training for vital signs, goniometry, muscle testing, anthropometric measures, and functional mobility skills inclusive of transfers and gait training with assistive devices. 


TRIMESTER 2 (SPRING)

DPT 6620 Musculoskeletal System I (6 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 courses

This course introduces biomechanics, functional movement, and patient management principles of the spine, ribcage, and hip region. Its emphasis builds on previously learned anatomical structures and patient management using the clinical reasoning framework. Lab activities concentrate on psychomotor skills for examination, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Topics explore concepts of evidence-informed practice across the lifespan.  


DPT 6221 Clinical Medicine II (2 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 courses

This course continues the integration of medical screening, pathophysiology, diagnostic imaging principles and techniques and pharmacotherapeutics across various practice settings with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. The knowledge gained will be used to provide evidence informed care across the lifespan. 


DPT 6331 Physical Therapy Interventions (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 courses

This course provides an introduction to selection, application, and progression of principles and interventions across the lifespan and various clinical settings. This course incorporates concepts from the International Classification of Function, Disability, and Health into clinical practice. Knowledge from this course will be integrated across the clinical management courses to prepare for physical therapist practice. 


DPT 6421 Clinical Research (4 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 courses

This course provides the necessary foundations for finding and interpreting health care research and applying them to the evidence-informed care of individual patients. Topics include searching the literature, critically appraising research studies, and applying biostatistical results within clinical reasoning. The course further builds student's professional identity as doctoral-level clinician-scientists.


DPT 6450 Applied Neuroscience (4 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 courses

This course builds on prior knowledge of anatomical cellular structure and function. Emphasis is placed on the central and peripheral nervous system regulation of movement and movement impairments that present from nervous system pathology. Lab activities apply foundational knowledge of neuroscience to the neurologic screen and a comprehensive neurological examination. Common outcome measures and assessment tools will be introduced.


TRIMESTER 3 (SUMMER)

DPT 6630 Musculoskeletal System II (6 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 2 courses

This course introduces biomechanics, functional movement, and patient management principles of the lower and upper extremities. Emphasis of this course builds on prior learned anatomical structures and concepts related to patient management, using the clinical reasoning framework. Lab activities concentrate on psychomotor skills for examination, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise. Topics explore concepts of evidence informed practice across the lifespan.


DPT 6431 Aging Adult (4 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 2 courses

This course introduces the management of the aging adult across inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Topics include normal physiology of aging and common pathologies seen with aging. Coursework emphasizes understanding of ageism, frailty, fall risk, fall prevention, management of falls, and home environmental assessments, along with adaptations of interventions for the older adult. 


DPT 6470 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems (4 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 2 courses

This course expands students’ knowledge of how the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic systems impact human movement across various practice settings. Students learn, apply, and integrate assessment and management of system impairments into the clinical reasoning framework. Lab activities include ECG analysis, exercise testing, heart and lung auscultation, pulmonary function testing, and chest examination.


DPT 6531 Neuromuscular System (5 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 2 courses

This course applies clinical management to the patient with central and peripheral neurologic conditions. Emphasis of this course is on functional movement restoration using the clinical reasoning framework. Laboratory activities concentrate on psychomotor skills for functional interventions, therapeutic exercise, and neuromuscular reeducation. Topics explore concepts of evidence informed practice across the lifespan. 


TRIMESTER 4 (FALL)

DPT 6220 Bracing, Prosthetics, and Orthotics (2 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 3 courses

This course applies student knowledge of functional anatomy, impairments, and movement analysis to advanced patient management with common braces, orthotics, and prosthetics utilized across physical therapist practice settings. Related pathophysiology and surgical conditions are integrated with didactic coursework. Lab activities emphasize gait and movement analysis, orthotics, residual limb management, prosthetics, and amputee rehabilitation. 


DPT 6350 Pediatrics (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 3 courses

This course expands students’ knowledge of the practice of pediatric physical therapy by integrating the clinical reasoning framework into contemporary pediatric examination, assessment, interventions, and outcome measures. Students will integrate family focused models of practice in the school and community environment and will incorporate common congenital and childhood diagnoses advancing societal health in populations with childhood disorders.


DPT 6530 Clinical Integration I (5 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 3 courses

This course introduces systems-based pathology and expands on student knowledge from previous patient management courses integrating concepts of clinical reasoning for those with multiple co-morbidities and systems-based impairments. Emphasis is placed on integumentary/wound care, oncologic rehabilitation, edema management and higher-level systems dysfunction. Learning will consist of case and problem-based learning in multiple care settings to prepare students for clinical practice. 


DPT 6441 Clinical Experience I (4 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 3 courses and demonstrated readiness for clinical education progression as determined by faculty.

This course is a full time (8-week) clinical experience, supervised by clinical faculty, during which students develop patient examination and intervention skills. Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism and progress towards competency as a clinician as rated on the Clinical Internship Evaluation Tool. Students work to enhance communication skills and integrate evidence-based management of patient care.


TRIMESTER 5 (SPRING)

DPT 6110 Doctoral Synthesis I (1 credit) 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 4 courses

This course comprehensively reviews body systems, pathophysiological mechanisms, examination procedures, and management strategies consistent with evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines. Students participate in independent study and sample examinations with a musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems focus, preparing students for an exit examination based on FSBPT Content Outline.


DPT 6151 Pain Science (1 credit)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 4 courses

This course introduces students to managing patients with chronic pain syndromes and associated psychosocial factors using emerging and contemporary concepts of assessment, education, treatment, and outcomes. Current best practice techniques and research are integrated to provide discussion of the multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary nature of chronic pain, to enhance evidence informed patient care, and to advance societal health. 


DPT 6310 Health and Wellness Promotion (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 4 courses

This course applies prior coursework to individual and community health promotion and wellness. Students explore various domains and influencers of health and identify appropriate screening and testing procedures, culminating in individual patient and community interventions. An understanding of social determinants of health on culturally competent healthcare, wellness, and education is emphasized. 


DPT 6360 Clinical Integration II (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 4 courses

This course advances student clinical reasoning, examination, differential diagnosis, and intervention skills as an interdependent practitioner across the lifespan in various clinical settings. Course activities emphasize mindful, holistic, and evidence-based physical therapist management of patients. Lab activities culminate in a comprehensive practical examination.


DPT 6370 Business Principles for the Physical Therapist (3 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 4 courses

This course provides an overview of practice management fundamentals and applies principles to various aspects of leadership and personal development, strategic planning, and business operations. Students gain knowledge in health care management, leadership, strategic planning, human resources, finance, organizational structures, and fiscal management as they relate to physical therapy practice.  


DPT 6442 Clinical Experience II (4 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 4 courses and demonstrated readiness for clinical education progression as determined by faculty.

This course is a full time (8-week) clinical experience, supervised by clinical faculty, during which students develop patient examination and intervention skills. Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism and progress towards competency as a clinician as rated on the Clinical Internship Evaluation Tool. Students work to enhance communication skills and integrate evidence-based management of patient care.


TRIMESTER 6 (SUMMER)

DPT 6120 Doctoral Synthesis II (1 credit)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 5 courses

This course continues the comprehensive reviews of body systems, pathophysiological mechanisms, examination procedures, and management strategies consistent with evidence-based practice and clinical guidelines. Students participate in independent study and sample examinations focusing on cardiovascular, pulmonary, other-systems, and non-systems, ultimately preparing students for an exit examination based on FSBPT Content Outline.


DPT 6270 Professional Physical Therapist Practice II (2 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 5 courses

This course explores core concepts and contemporary issues in health care and physical therapist practice, including social determinants of health, ethical practice, and supervisory responsibilities. Learners reflect on their own personal leadership development to refine professional mission/goals and build a portfolio in preparation for their career in physical therapy. 


DPT 6710 Clinical Experience III (7 credits)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 5 courses

This course is a full-time (15-week) clinical experience completed under the mentorship of clinical faculty. Students work toward mastery of patient examination and intervention skills. By the completion of this course, students should demonstrate entry-level physical therapist safety, professionalism and evidence-informed patient management skill, as rated on the Clinical Internship Evaluation Tool.

Physical Therapy

Robbins College of Health & Human Sciences

One Bear Place #97193
Waco, TX 76798-7193

DPTadmissions@baylor.edu
254-710-8999
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The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Baylor University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

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The Orthopedic Residency at Baylor University is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).

Baylor BU Physical Therapy DPT Program Curriculum Course Descriptions Class of 2028 and Following
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