Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) Major in Physical Therapy

Program Overview

The Department of Physical Therapy offers a graduate degree in physical therapy: Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.). The program admits 40 students per year into a cohort based program. The D.P.T. is a 9-semester, 3-year, full-time graduate program. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education. Graduates are eligible to take the licensure examination upon completion of the degree.

Physical therapy is defined as the care and services provided by or under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. Physical therapists provide services to patients/clients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, disease, or other causes. They interact and practice in collaboration with a variety of professionals – physicians, dentists, nurses, educators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other personnel involved with the patient/client. Physical therapists provide prevention and promote health, wellness, and fitness. In addition they provide consultative services to health facilities, colleagues, business and community organizations, and agencies. Physical therapists provide health care to their patients/clients in a wide variety of settings, including but not limited to, physical therapy office practices, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, homes, long term care settings, schools, industrial settings, and athletic/fitness centers.

Physical therapist education is built on the knowledge and skills characteristically attributed to completion of a baccalaureate degree – general education that provides students with broad exposure to the humanities, arts, basic science, and social science; requirements that provide students with the opportunity to delve into a discipline at some depth; and electives that provide students with the opportunity to explore other interests. Additionally, admission to physical therapist education programs typically requires students to have completed a set of prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, psychology, and human anatomy and physiology.

Program Standards

Students enrolled in the physical therapy curriculum must maintain high scholastic standards and develop skills necessary to work effectively as a physical therapist with people with diverse needs. Students are expected to demonstrate emotional, mental, and physical fitness in their interactions with others, use skills and techniques that are generally accepted by the professional community and conform to the Code of Ethics of the American Physical Therapy Association and the laws of the State of Texas. A student’s acceptance into the program does not guarantee that student’s fitness to remain in the program. The faculty is responsible for assuring that only those students who continue to meet academic and professional behavior standards are allowed to continue in the program.

Evaluating Student’s Professional Behavior

Members of the faculty, using their professional judgment, evaluate student’s professional behavior continuously. Students receive information and counseling related to their professional behavior performance from faculty members, their advisors, and their clinical education supervisors. The criteria used by the faculty to make such judgments include instructors’ observations of course performance, evaluation of student’s performance in simulated practice situations, supervisors’ evaluations of student’s performance in clinical situations, generic abilities/professional behavior assessment, assessment of clinical skills, and adherence to the Code of Ethics. Relevant expectations are explicit in each course syllabus. Students who are not making satisfactory progress or who are not meeting program standards will be encouraged to withdraw from the program.

In this context, the term “unsatisfactory progress in the program” refers to an academic judgment made regarding the student’s professional behavior. It is a judgment that the student has failed to meet academic standards rather than a judgment made on the basis of the student’s violation of valid rules of conduct. Disciplinary matters are referred to the assistant dean of students.

Required Withdrawal from the Program

If a faculty member believes that a student is not making satisfactory progress or meeting program or university standards, they should discuss the situation with the student and the student’s advisor.

The department chair, after considering the advisor’s recommendations and after meeting with the student will determine whether the student will be allowed to remain in the program. The department chair need not meet with the student before making a decision if the department chair has given the student reasonable opportunity to meet and the student has either failed or refused to meet. The student will be notified of the department chair’s decision in writing within ten working days of the department chair’s meeting with the student.

If the student is dissatisfied with the department chair’s decision, they may appeal to the dean of the College of Health Professions. However, in order for an appeal to be considered, the student must submit a written notice for an appeal to the department chair within 10 working days of receiving the department chair’s decision. The dean will consider the matter based on results complied by the department chair and notify the student of this or her decision within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal from the department chair.

Clinical Education

All students are required to complete part-time clinical education experiences in physical therapy facilities within the Central Texas area and in the Texas State Physical Therapy Clinic. The full-time clinical experiences may be completed in facilities within or outside of the Central Texas area. The additional costs of travel during the part-time experiences, as well as the cost associated with temporary relocation during the full-time experiences, are the responsibility of the student.

Immunization Requirements

It is the policy of the College of Health Professions that each student must provide a health report completed by a physician or licensed healthcare provider, and must take specific immunizations before the student can be placed in a clinical or internship assignment. Information on these will be provided once students are enrolled in the program. 

Background Check and Drug Screening

As a condition for placement in some professional practice sites, some students are required to have a background check and/or drug screening to meet requirements set by individual sites. Information on the background check/drug screening process will be provided by the department. Previous misdemeanor or felony convictions under various titles of the Texas Penal Code may affect eligibility for practitioner license status following graduation.

Application Requirements

The items listed below are required for admission consideration for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Submission instructions, additional details, and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website. International students should review the International Admission Documents page for additional requirements.

  • completed online application and additional PTCAS application
  • separate PTCAS application fee

          and either

  • $80 nonrefundable application fee

          or

  • $115 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
  • baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
  • official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
  • minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • minimum 3.0 GPA in all science courses (biology,chemistry, and physics)
  • minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite course requirements
  • official GRE (general test only) scores with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning section
  • three forms of recommendation
  • completion of pre-requisite courses by end of spring semester prior to enrollment
  • interview (Based on a holistic application review process that considers the applicant's life experience, underrepresented status, and academic record, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview as part of the admissions process.  An admission offer will be made only to applicants who participate in an interview.

TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores

Non-native English speakers who do not qualify for an English proficiency waiver:

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official PTE scores required with a 52
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0

This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree with a major in Physical Therapy requires 99 semester credit hours.

Course Requirements

Required Courses
PT 7114Professional Issues1
PT 7116Health Promotion and Wellness in Physical Therapy I 1
PT 7125Clinical Decision Making I1
PT 7135Clinical Decision Making II1
PT 7155Clinical Decision Making III1
PT 7157Reseach III in Physical Therapy1
PT 7165Clinical Decision Making IV1
PT 7176Health Promotion and Wellness in Physical Therapy II 1
PT 7190Independent Study in Physical Therapy1
PT 7197Research IV in Physical Therapy1
PT 7211Anatomy I: Structural Anatomy2
PT 7231Anatomy II – Spine2
PT 7241Anatomy III - Lower Extremity2
PT 7251Anatomy IV - Upper Extremity2
PT 7263Body Systems III – Diagnostics2
PT 7268Advanced Therapeutic Interventions2
PT 7274Current Issues in Physical Therapy2
PT 7312Patient Care Skills I3
PT 7313Body Systems I – Pathology3
PT 7326Neuroscience I:Functional Neuroanatomy3
PT 7327Research in Physical Therapy I3
PT 7328Examination Techniques3
PT 7333Body Systems II – Cardiopulmonary Systems3
PT 7336Neuroscience II-Pediatrics3
PT 7346Neuroscience III3
PT 7347Research in Physical Therapy II3
PT 7356Neuroscience IV3
PT 7364Management Issues 3
PT 7428Therapeutic Interventions4
PT 7462Patient Care Skills II4
PT 7539Musculoskeletal I – Spine5
PT 7549Musculoskeletal II - Lower Extremity5
PT 7559Musculoskeletal III - Upper Extremity5
Clinical Education Courses
PT 7130Clinical Education Orientation1
PT 7150Directed Clinical Experience1
PT 7370Clinical Education I3
PT 7480Clinical Education II4
PT 7481Clinical Education III4
PT 7690Clinical Education IV6
Total Hours99

Comprehensive Examination Requirement

The comprehensive exam requires that students demonstrate competency in all content areas in the physical therapy curriculum. Students are required to take the written comprehensive examination in their last academic year of the program. Students must pass the comprehensive exam in at most two attempts. If the student fails to pass the comprehensive exam in two attempts, the student will retake the comprehensive exam by scheduling according to policy.  The student cannot progress in the next semester of the curriculum without passing the exam.

Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.

Doctoral level courses in Physical Therapy:

Courses Offered

Physical Therapy (PT)

PT 7114. Professional Issues.

This course serves as an introduction to the historical, current, and future issues faced by the physical therapy profession and to the need for lifelong professional development.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7116. Health Promotion and Wellness in Physical Therapy I.

This course will include an in-depth investigation of the concepts of health promotion and wellness and, based on evidence, their relationship to each other and to health and wellness outcomes. The role of, theories of, and interventions for behavior change will be explored as tools to promote health and well-being.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7125. Clinical Decision Making I.

This course introduces students to a systematic method of clinical decision making for patient management in physical therapist practice, including examination, evaluation, intervention, communication, and documentation in a patient-centered context. Students will consider physical, psychosocial, cultural, environmental, and ethical factors in making decisions for patient case studies including the clinical application of pain neuroscience education.

1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7130. Clinical Education Orientation.

This course provides an orientation to the requirements of the clinical education course sequence including patient education as well as the legal, ethical and professional requirements of physical therapy practice.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7135. Clinical Decision Making II.

In this course, students apply a systematic method of clinical decision making to adult and pediatric patients with a variety of diagnoses using case studies. Students apply a systematic approach to ethical decision-making and gain insight into the physical therapist and physical therapist assistant team. This course includes application of pain science and an introduction to motor behavior.

1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7150. Directed Clinical Experience.

A structured clinical experience in which the student will have the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to apply the theory and clinical skills acquired during didactic course work into the clinical environment. This course will be completed in the Texas State Physical Therapy Clinic. This course is repeatable for credit.

1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 15 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7155. Clinical Decision Making III.

This course prepares students to apply a systematic method of clinical decision making to the geriatric patient. Students will consider physical, psychosocial, cultural, environmental, and ethical factors in making decisions for geriatric patient based on case studies. The course includes application of pain science for chronic pain and discussion of patient-centered end-of-life decisions.

1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7157. Research in Physical Therapy III.

This course is a continuation of the DPT research sequence that culminates in a supervised project to analyze outcomes in a defined area of clinical practice. Prerequisite: PT 7327 and PT 7347 and instructor approval.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 1 Lab Contact Hour.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7165. Clinical Decision Making IV.

This course uses a body systems approach for students to apply previously learned knowledge and skills for differential diagnosis in the context of clinical decisions about when and how a referral to a physician or other healthcare provider is necessary. Students will identify warning signs (red flags) and urgent or life-threatening situations which require a referral to a medical specialist.

1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7176. Health Promotion and Wellness in Physical Therapy II.

The role of the physical therapist in health promotion, wellness, and prevention at the community and population levels will be explored. Using the framework of a social ecological model, strategies for community assessment and prevention of disease and disability related to movement will be performed through service learning activities.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7190. Independent Study in Physical Therapy.

An in-depth independent study of a singular problem or related problem in the dynamic field of physical therapy and health care. Emphasis will be on the relevance of the problem and the value to the participant. May be repeated twice for credit.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PT 7197. Research in Physical Therapy IV.

This course is a continuation of the DPT research sequence that culminates in a supervised project to analyze outcomes in a defined area of clinical practice. The course includes completion of data collection and analysis for an oral presentation and final paper. Completion of this last course is required for graduation.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7211. Anatomy I: Structural Anatomy.

This course is an introduction to the structure and function of the human body with emphasis on the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and integumentary systems. Content includes basic neurological screening and an introduction to palpation of the human body, embryology, and vasculature.

2 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7231. Anatomy II – Spine.

Study of static and dynamic aspects of the vertebral column and skull including bony landmarks, muscular, ligamentous attachments, and blood and nerve supply will be studied through lecture, lab, dissection of human cadavers, and independent study.

2 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7241. Anatomy III - Lower Extremity.

Study of static and dynamic aspects of the lower extremity including bony landmarks, muscular, ligamentous attachments, and blood and nerve supply will be studied through lecture, lab, dissection of human cadavers, and independent study.

2 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7251. Anatomy IV - Upper Extremity.

Study of static and dynamic aspects of the upper extremity including bony landmarks, muscular, ligamentous attachments and blood and nerve supply studied through lecture, lab, dissection of human cadavers, and independent study.

2 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7263. Body Systems III – Diagnostics.

Pharmacology, medical imaging, electroneuromyography, and other selected diagnostic tests as related to physical therapist practice. Content emphasizes expected and adverse effects of selected medications, documentation of results of medical imaging procedures, and the use of muscle and nerve integrity testing via nerve conduction velocity techniques.

2 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7268. Advanced Therapeutic Interventions.

This course provides expansion of clinical reasoning and intervention skills for neuromusculoskeletal impairments. Advanced clinical cases, including pediatric, adult neurological and orthopaedic impairments, afford students the opportunity to hone manual and handling skills, utilize advanced forms of exercise and incorporate pain science in comprehensive patient treatment. Prerequisite: PT 7428 with a grade of "C" or better.

2 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 2 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7274. Current Issues in Physical Therapy.

Current issues that are not required by accreditation and/or that are not included in other courses are presented in this course to ensure students are prepared for success in full-time clinical education experiences.

2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7312. Patient Care Skills I.

This course introduces students to basic patient care skills in physical therapist practice. Topics include body mechanics, patient positioning, mobility, transfers, patient communication and instruction skills, patient rights, and documentation format.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7313. Body Systems I – Pathology.

Normal and abnormal organ system function as related to physical therapist practice with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular/pulmonary, and integumentary systems. Content includes tissue inflammation and repair, infection, degenerative processes, and changes related to processes of aging.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7326. Neuroscience I:Functional Neuroanatomy.

Structure and function of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems in the context of lifespan human development.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7327. Research in Physical Therapy I.

Three-course sequence introducing the physical therapy student to research and statistical methodologies. This initial course emphasizes the application of basic principles of the scientific method for: 1) critically reviewing physical therapy literature; 2) developing research proposals; and 3) identifying the tools necessary for analysis and assessment of clinical practice patterns.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7328. Examination Techniques.

This course introduces foundational physical therapist examination and screening techniques for patients across the lifespan. Students will perform basic orthopedic, neurologic, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary exam and screening techniques, identify and correct or adapt to substitutions, and interpret results. An emphasis will be placed on anatomical structures, body mechanics, handling skills, professional communication, and positioning.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7333. Body Systems II – Cardiopulmonary Systems.

Fitness, health, wellness, and normal and abnormal function of the cardiovascular/pulmonary and metabolic systems as related to physical therapist practice. Content emphasizes basic principles of care in respiratory therapy, chest physical therapy, electrocardiography, exercise testing, exercise prescription, and cardiac rehabilitation.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7336. Neuroscience II.

This course covers examination and evaluation techniques for individuals with neurologic diseases, disorders, and dysfunction across the lifespan. Content emphasizes models of disablement, hypothesis-oriented clinical practice, motor control, and motor development.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7346. Neuroscience III.

This course covers interventions for the rehabilitation of individuals with neurologic diseases, disorders, and dysfunction across the lifespan. Content emphasizes motor development, motor control, motor learning, postural control and recovery of function in the context of relevant models of practice, models of disablement, hypothesis-oriented clinical practice, and theories of motor control.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7347. Research in Physical Therapy II.

Three-course sequence introducing the physical therapy student to research and statistical methodologies. This second course emphasizes the proposal writing aspect of research, building on knowledge of research methods and statistics gained in PT 7327. Includes introduction to statistical software packages used for data-analysis and generating bibliographic material.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7356. Neuroscience IV.

This course covers the physical therapy management of individuals with neurologic diseases, disorders, and dysfunction affecting postural control across the lifespan. Content emphasizes the application of relevant neuroanatomy and physiology concepts to specialized populations in rehabilitation.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7364. Management Issues.

This course is the study of basic management theories, principles, and practices as they relate to the delivery of physical therapist practice, reimbursement resources and issues, and internal and external forces that impact physical therapist practice.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7370. Clinical Education I.

A full-time clinical education experience in which the student will apply the theory and clinical skills acquired during previous didactic course work in the clinical setting.

3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PT 7428. Therapeutic Interventions.

This course provides an introduction to therapeutic interventions and their role in preventing loss of, restoring, and improving movement. Students will learn how to identify the diseased/injured tissue and/or body system, and how to use targeted movement-related interventions (physical agents, soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic exercise) to enhance movement.

4 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 4 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7462. Patient Care Skills II.

This course covers physical therapist care of medically complex patients with multi-system involvement. Content focuses on integumentary care/wound management, acute care/ICU, orthotics, and prosthetics. Complicating factors such as age, malnutrition, pain, obesity, diabetes, and other comorbidities are included.

4 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 4 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7480. Clinical Education II.

A full-time clinical education experience in which the student will apply the theory and clinical skills acquired during previous didactic course work in the clinical setting.

4 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PT 7481. Clinical Education III.

A full-time clinical education experience in which the student will apply the theory and clinical skills acquired during previous didactic course work in the clinical setting.

4 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 20 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

PT 7539. Musculoskeletal I – Spine.

Study of static and dynamic aspects of the vertebral column and skull studied through lecture, lab, literature review, and independent study. Knowledge and skill will be integrated to identify problems, prognosis, functional goals, and to develop comprehensive intervention programs related to the spine, including preventative health planning.

5 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 4 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7549. Musculoskeletal II - Lower Extremity.

Study of static structural and dynamic aspects of the lower extremity. Emphasizes the effects and affects of forces on function. Clinical decision-making involving the integration of knowledge and skill to identify problems, establish goals, and develop comprehensive physical therapy programs related to the region of study.

5 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 4 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7559. Musculoskeletal III - Upper Extremity.

Study of static structural and dynamic aspects of the upper extremity. Emphasizes the effects and affects of forces on function. Clinical decision-making involving the integration of knowledge and skill to identify problems, establish goals, and develop comprehensive physical therapy programs related to the region of study.

5 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 4 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Lab Required
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

PT 7690. Clinical Education IV.

A full-time clinical education experience in which the student will apply the theory and clinical skills acquired during previous didactic course work in the clinical setting.

6 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 40 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit