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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:

  1. Provide physical therapy services in a professional, analytical, and caring manner.
  2. Synthesize and demonstrate autonomous entry-level skills in providing physical therapy services.
  3. Develop effective communication, consultation, and collaboration skills in the provision of services as a part of the health care team.
  4. Evaluate current evidence into clinical reasoning processes and incorporate into physical therapy practice.
  5. Adhere to ethical standards of practice and legal/regulatory policies.

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) 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 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

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

PT 700Physical Therapy Professionalism

2
PT 701Foundation Sciences I: Human Anatomy

4
PT 704Clinical Skills I: Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice

4
PT 706Ethicolegal Issues in Healthcare and IPE Collaboration

3
PT 707Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I

5
PT 708Cardiopulmonary and Vascular Physical Therapy

3
PT 710The Socio-Cultural Aspects of Human Interaction

2
PT 712Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I

5
PT 713Foundation Sciences II: Neuroscience I

3
PT 714Clinical Skills II: Physical Therapy Examination

3
PT 716Critical Inquiry II: Biostatistics

3
PT 717Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II

5
PT 728Evidence-Based Concepts of Musculoskeletal Imaging

2
PT 719Physical Therapy Experience

5
PT 720Foundation Sciences: Applied Biomechanics

2
PT 722Neuromuscular Physical Therapy II

5
PT 723Interprofessional Healthcare

1
PT 724Clinical Skills III: Therapeutic Exercise and Physical Agents

4
PT 725Evidence-Based Practice I

2
PT 726Foundational Sciences: Kinesiology/Pathomechanics

4
PT 729Clinical Internship I

13
PT 730Introduction to Management, Advocacy and Health Promotion

2
PT 731Foundation Sciences IV: Physiology/Histology

4
PT 732Pharmacotherapy

3
PT 734Clinical Skills IV: Physical Therapy Evaluation I: Focused Guidance

3
PT 735Evidence-Based Practice II

2
PT 739Clinical Internship II

13
PT 740Prosthetics and Orthotics

2
PT 743Foundation Sciences VI: Neuroscience II

3
PT 744Clinical Skills V: Physical Therapy Evaluation II: Independent Evaluation

3
PT 749Clinical Internship III

13
PT 751Foundation Sciences V: 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 780Advanced Physical Therapy

2
PT 781Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy

2
PT 782Advanced Neuromuscular Physical Therapy

2
PT 783Advanced Pediatric Physical Therapy

2
PT 784Advanced Cross-Cultural Service Learning

2

Total Credit Hours: 133

Total Credit Hours: 133