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Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Curriculum

The Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum is designed to be completed in two years and seven months, with the goal to prepare physical therapy students to function as independent entry-level practitioners in a diverse global society. The curriculum is organized in a unique block design that helps to integrate foundational and clinical science content across the lifespan.

The first year is comprised of strong foundational science content and robust learning experiences, which include full cadaver dissection, lecture and laboratory sessions taught in a systems approach as well as a translational course that bridges foundational and clinical sciences. Two professional formation courses are taught in the first year as well to establish a solid professional foundation, including scientific inquiry, that complements the medical training.

The second-year coursework builds on the foundational sciences and focuses on clinical science preparation across the lifespan. Laboratory sessions in these courses integrate concepts of clinical care and include encounters with patient/client educators, simulated cases, onsite/offsite clinical exposure, and interprofessional education lab experiences. Students participate in three full-time clinical experiences during the program, totaling 32 weeks.

The first full-time clinical education experience takes place during the second year, which provides an opportunity for students to interact with patients and the clinical environment early in the program and integrate knowledge they have gained thus far.

The second and third full-time clinical education experiences takes place after students have completed the didactic portion of the program, enabling them to examine, evaluate, diagnose, and intervene appropriately for primary, secondary, and tertiary physical impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities.

Year Summer Fall Spring
1st year
2nd year
3rd year  

SCH = Semester Credit Hours

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum follows the rules of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. The degree prepares graduates to sit for professional licensure. The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum satisfies the educational requirements for graduates to apply for licensure in the State of Maryland.

University of Maryland School of Medicine has not made a determination if the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum satisfies the educational requirements for any other states, U.S. territories, and/or protectorates. Each licensing authority sets and enforces its own professional licensing requirements and standards. Each student should inquire directly to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction where the student plans to seek licensure in order to determine the mandatory requirements to be licensed to practice. Contact information for each state’s licensing board is listed below.

 

Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Montana Board of Physical Therapy
Alaska Board of Physical Therapy Nebraska Board of Physical Therapy
Arizona Board of Physical Therapy Nevada Board of Physical Therapy
Arkansas Board of Physical Therapy New Hampshire Board of Physical Therapy
California Board of Physical Therapy New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy
Colorado Board of Physical Therapy New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy
Connecticut Board of Physical Therapy New York Board of Physical Therapy
Delaware Board of Physical Therapy North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
Florida Board of Physical Therapy North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy
Georgia Board of Physical Therapy Ohio Board of Physical Therapy
Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy Oklahoma Board of Physical Therapy
Idaho Board of Physical Therapy Oregon Board of Physical Therapy
Illinois Board of Physical Therapy Pennsylvania Board of Physical Therapy
Indiana Board of Physical Therapy Rhode Island Board of Physical Therapy
Iowa Board of Physical Therapy South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy
Kansas Board of Physical Therapy South Dakota Board of Physical Therapy
Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy
Louisiana Board of Physical Therapy Texas Board of Physical Therapy
Maine Board of Physical Therapy Utah Board of Physical Therapy
Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Vermont Board of Physical Therapy
Massachusetts Board of Physical Therapy Virginia Board of Physical Therapy
Michigan Board of Physical Therapy Washington Board of Physical Therapy
Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy
Mississippi Board of Physical Therapy Wisconsin Board of Physical Therapy
Missouri Board of Physical Therapy Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy

 

Advancement Criteria

The Director for Student Affairs reviews the academic status of students and makes recommendations for advancement according to the advancement criteria below. The Director for Student Affairs may employ the Academic Advancement Committee and other faculty as appropriate to assist in making recommendations.

  • All didactic blocks must be passed with a grade of “C” or better for a student to proceed in the curriculum.  
  • All clinical education blocks must be passed with a grade of “C” or better. If a student fails a clinical education block, the student will be required to register for and successfully pass the Individualized Academic Preparation Plan (IAPP) Block and re-take the failed clinical education block to proceed in the curriculum. If the student fails a second clinical education block, the Director for Student Affairs will make a recommendation to the Chair for that student to be dismissed from the program. 

Graduation Requirements

The student is required to successfully complete the following before graduation:

  • All required DPT Didactic courses
  • All required Clinical Experiences

 

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is accredited by the CAPTE.

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy EducationCommission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave, Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Tel: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Web: www.capteonline.org