Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Information

Program Location	Center for Graduate Studies
Program Credits	133 credits
Program Length	9 Trimesters, 135 Instructional Weeks
Time to Complete	36 Months

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-1123.00

Program Mission: The mission of West Coast University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to provide a student-centric education that prepares graduates for caring, innovative, interdisciplinary, evidence-based approaches to patient-centered care.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Each student will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and professional behaviors in order to:

Provide professional physical therapy services to diverse populations consistent with American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) standards.
Perform autonomous entry-level physical therapy skills in a safe manner.
Facilitate culturally sensitive communication using consultative and collaborative skills as a part of the health care team.
Design evidence-based physical therapy treatment plans using clinical reasoning for optimal patient-centered care.
Exercise professional conduct that is consistent with the ethical and legal practice of physical therapy.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Transfer Credit

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program does not allow transfer credit.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Candidate Seat Deposit

Applicants that are conditionally accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program will be required to submit a $500.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit. The Seat Deposit will be credited to your program costs. The University will retain a maximum of $175.00 of this deposit should you cancel your enrollment within seven calendar days (excluding holidays) of enrollment or by the seventh calendar day of the first term, whichever is later. Deposits may be paid by money order or cashier's check made out to West Coast University.

Health Insurance Requirement

Students enrolled in the DPT program will be required to provide evidence of health insurance during their education at West Coast University. Students are required to carry and maintain personal health insurance during their entire tenure.

For accreditation information please see the Accreditation and Approvals section.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program must:

1. Have obtained a bachelor's degree and specific prerequisite courses from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Applicants must have achieved a minimum 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the last 60 semester units at the undergraduate level, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in program prerequisite courses.

3. Required prerequisite courses:

One (1) course in Statistics (three semester credit hours).
One (1) course in Human Anatomy (four semester credit hours including a lab, for science majors).
One (1) course in Human physiology (four semester credit hours including a lab, for science majors).
Two (2) courses in Physics (four semester credit hours each including labs, for science majors).
Two (2) courses in Chemistry (four semester credit hours each including labs, for science majors).
One (1) course in biology (at least three semester credit hours).
Six semester credit hours in the behavioral sciences (Life span development is one of the preferred courses).

4. Applicants must take the GRE, the CASPer assessment and provide evidence of completion.

5. Applicants must provide signed proof of having achieved 40 hours of clinical observation in a clinical setting.

6. Applicants must submit 2 letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member and one from a physical therapist).

7. Applicants must have an interview with the Admissions Committee.

Additional Requirement
One (1) course in Medical Terminology (certificate acceptable as well) - this is a requirement based upon acceptance into the program, not a prerequisite.

Tuition and Fees

Please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees section for cost information.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

PT 700	Physical Therapy Professionalism	2
PT 701	Foundation Sciences: Human Anatomy	4
PT 704	Clinical Skills I: Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice	4
PT 706	Ethicolegal Issues in Healthcare and IPE Collaboration	3
PT 707	Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I	5
PT 708	Cardiopulmonary and Vascular Physical Therapy	3
PT 710	The Socio-Cultural Aspects of Human Interaction	2
PT 712	Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I	5
PT 713	Foundation Sciences: Neuroscience I	3
PT 714	Clinical Skills II: Physical Therapy Examination	3
PT 716	Critical Inquiry: Research Methods and Biostatistics	3
PT 717	Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II	5
PT 728	Evidence-Based Concepts of Musculoskeletal Imaging	2
PT 719	Physical Therapy Experience	5
PT 720	Foundation Sciences: Applied Biomechanics	2
PT 722	Neuromuscular Physical Therapy II	5
PT 723	Interprofessional Healthcare	1
PT 724	Clinical Skills III: Therapeutic Exercise and Physical Agents	4
PT 725	Evidence-Based Practice I	2
PT 726	Foundational Sciences: Kinesiology/Pathomechanics	4
PT 729	Clinical Internship I	13
PT 730	Introduction to Management, Advocacy and Health Promotion	2
PT 731	Foundation Sciences: Physiology/Histology	4
PT 732	Pharmacotherapy	3
PT 734	Clinical Skills IV: Physical Therapy Evaluation I: Focused Guidance	3
PT 735	Evidence-Based Practice II	2
PT 739	Clinical Internship II	13
PT 740	Prosthetics and Orthotics	2
PT 743	Foundation Sciences: Neuroscience II	3
PT 744	Clinical Skills V: Physical Therapy Evaluation II: Independent Evaluation	3
PT 749	Clinical Internship III	13
PT 751	Foundation Sciences: Pathophysiology	3
Total Credit Hours:		133

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum-Electives

Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must choose one (1) elective.

PT 780	Advanced Physical Therapy Research	2
PT 781	Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy	2
PT 782	Advanced Neuromuscular Physical Therapy	2
PT 783	Advanced Pediatric Physical Therapy	2
PT 784	Advanced Cross-Cultural Service Learning	2

Total Credit Hours: 133