The Physical Therapy Program strives to develop competent physical therapists who are critical thinkers, educators, and professionals. Graduates of our program are prepared to value all people and be person-centered practitioners who are knowledgeable, ethical, independent and collaborative, adaptable, reflective, effective communicators, and service-oriented. UK offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) entry-level curriculum at two campuses: Lexington and Hazard, KY at the Center of Excellence in Rural Health.
Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program will prepare you to become a compassionate, ethical practitioner who will help patients to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. We combine a thorough curriculum with clinical experiences and rotations to produce graduates who will become the next generation of physical therapy leaders.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Professional Program in Physical Therapy, you must complete the application procedure for the Department of Physical Therapy’s Professional Program. Application materials received after the posted deadline will not be considered in admission review.
Once you are accepted to the PT Professional Program, you must complete ALL the pre-professional (prerequisite) courses BEFORE starting the professional courses.
Full admission requirements can be found on the College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Admissions website.
Degree Requirements
The DPT is a full-time professional doctoral program requiring completion of 137 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. The course work is taken in a prescribed sequence over nine semesters. The program requires a total of 39 weeks of full-time clinical education, as well as two additional part-time, integrated clinical education experiences. During all clinical education experiences, students work under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist. All clinical education procedures are administrated by the Director of Clinical Education, with standards communicated through the Clinical Education Handbook and clinical education course syllabi.
CURRICULUM INTENSITY - The curriculum of this program is designed to prepare the student for entry-level competencies as a generalist physical therapist. The intensity of the program is advanced and commensurate with a professional doctoral program in alignment with CAPTE standards.
Credit Hour Requirement:
Core Course Credits: 135
Elective Course Credits: 2
Total Degree Requirement: 137 Credit hours
Annual Credit Hour Breakdown:
Year 1: 41 credits
Year 2: 45 credits*
Year 3: 49 credits*
* Elective credits (2) typically taken in second or third year of program
Fall Term 1 - 16 Credit Hours
Spring Term 1 - 14 Credit Hours
- ANA 811 - Human Gross Anatomy (5)
- PT 645 - Evidence Informed Practice I: Fundamental Principles (3)
- PT 805 - Functional Anatomy (4)
- PT 814 - Foundational Clinical Skills I (2)
Summer Term 1 - 11 Credit Hours
- PT 603 - Pharmacology I (1)
- PT 604 - Pharmacology II (1)
- PT 815 - Foundational Clinical Skills (3)
- PT 856 - Therapeutic Exercise (2)
- PT 867 - Evidence Informed Practice II: Design (1)
- PT 877 - Cardiopulmonary Management (3)
Fall Term 2 - 16 Credit Hours
- ANA 802 - Neuroanatomy (2)
- PT 652 - Musculoskeletal Assessment (3)
- PT 676 - Clinical Electrophysiology (3)
- PT 825 - Prosthetics (2)
- PT 826 - Orthotics (2)
- PT 831 - Clinical Neurophysiology (2)
- PT 835 - Integrated Clinical I (1)
- PT 887 - Professional Issues in Physical Therapy I (1)
Spring Term 2 - 15 Credit Hours
- PT 628 - Geriatric Management (2)
- PT 650 - Musculoskeletal Management I (3)
- PT 654 - Motor Control, Motor Learning, & Movement Science (4)
- PT 836 - Integrated Clinical II (3)
- PT 847 - Neurologic Management I (3)
Summer Term 2 - 14* Credit Hours
- PT 668 - Evidence Informed Practice III: Analysis (1)
- PT 686 - Elective (optional)*
- PT 821 - Management of Vascular & Integumentary Disorders (2)
- PT 837 - Full-Time Clinical I (9)
- PT 830 - Decision-Making in Screening, Diagnostics, & Imaging (2)
Fall Term 3 - 17 Credit Hours
- PT 651 - Musculoskeletal Management II (3)
- PT 655 - Neuromotor Development (3)
- PT 827 - Neurologic Management II (2)
- PT 838 - Full-time Clinical II (9)
Spring Term 3 - 19* Credit Hours
- PT 669 - Evidence Informed Practice IV: Outcomes (1)
- PT 686 - Elective (optional)*
- PT 850 - Advanced Manual Interventions (3)
- PT 860 - Diagnosis & Management of Complex Patient (3)
- PT 839 - Full-Time Clinical III (9)
- PT 888 - Professional Issues in Physical Therapy II (3)
Summer Term 3 - 13 Credit Hours
- PT 840 - Full-Time Clinical IV (12)
- PT 890 - Professional Seminar (1)
*Elective Course Requirement - all student must take 2 total credit hours of elective coursework. Courses are typically taken in Summer Term 2 or Spring Term 3. Options include but are not limited to:
- Advanced Pediatrics
- Aquatics
- Exercise Physiology
- Mentorship
- Oncology
- Performance Rehab
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Telehealth
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