Overview
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is a top ranked clinical program which prepares students for entry level practice as Physical Therapists. All students must have earned a Bachelor’s degree prior to entering the program. Any Bachelor’s degree is acceptable as long as all prerequisite course work has been completed.
The program is 36 months in length and begins in May.
The program includes 33 weeks of clinical experiences. The first clinical experience occurs at the end of the second year of study. The remaining three experiences occur during the third year.
Graduation takes place in May.
The overall goal of the curriculum is to produce a highly competent generalist practitioner at the doctoral level. This would encompass the following guiding principles enveloping our mission, philosophy and goals, and expressed as outcomes of the DPT educational experience at UMPT:
- Globally educated generalist physical therapist incorporating the patient/client management model
- Competent in the interpretation and implementation of research leading to evidence-based practice
- Capable of providing high quality care to all who need it
- To be participants and leaders in community service activities
The (DPT) curriculum is designed as a first professional degree (DPT), the curriculum is designed to further the education of students who possess a baccalaureate degree and a background in liberal arts, humanities and science. Prerequisites are directed toward producing broadly educated students prepared for life in a complex and changing society. The students are selected for demonstrated intellectual and interpersonal abilities, and for personal characteristics of sincerity, adaptability, and social consciousness. Building upon these entering qualifications, the University of Miami’s curriculum provides students with the opportunities to acquire specific knowledge and fundamental concepts and skills in an environment which fosters logical and critical thinking and values the scientific foundation of knowledge through research.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field and 3.0, or ”B” average or better in the following courses:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
English Composition/ Writing intensive course | (5 quarter hours) | 3 |
Introduction to Statistics | (5 quarter hours) | 3 |
Psychology | (5 quarter hours) | 3 |
General Biology | (5 quarter hours) | 3 |
General Chemistry I and II each with Lab | (12 quarter hours) | 8 |
General Physics I and II each with Lab | (12 quarter hours) | 8 |
Human Anatomy | (5 quarter hours) | 3 |
Human Physiology | (5 quarter hours) | 3 |
OR | ||
Combined Anatomy and Physiology I &II | (10 quarter hours) |
Application Procedure
We are accepting applications through Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). Click here to apply.
The PTCAS application opens to applicants in June each year. The application deadline is October 1; we encourage you to apply early. Classes begin in May of each year. Application requirements consist of the following:
- Submission of all application materials to PTCAS. Completion of prerequisites or plan to complete by time of matriculation, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Demonstration of knowledge concerning the physical therapy profession by submitting:
- A minimum of 100 hours of first-hand observation and/or work experience related to the practice of physical therapy.
- This experience must be substantiated in writing by a registered/licensed physical therapist. The name and email of the physical therapist(s) is required for verification.
- Submission of three to four (3-4) letters of recommendation from people who can address both the applicant’s moral character and potential as a physical therapist.
- At least one letter must be written by a registered/licensed physical therapist, and one or more from faculty.
- An interview is required and will be offered to those applicants who have met the admission criteria.
- International students are to complete the PTCAS application and submit official transcripts to the DPT program instead of PTCAS. Transcripts that are not in English must include an official translation. International applicants must have all transcripts evaluated by the University of Miami’s Office of International Admissions before they can be considered for graduate study. Any transcript not in English must be submitted with an official translation. International applicants must meet ALL the necessary requirements to qualify for a student visa.
For more information contact:
Admissions Office
Department of Physical Therapy
5915 Ponce de Leon Blvd., 5th Floor
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Phone 305-284-4535
Email: physicaltherapy@miami.edu
Website: www.pt.med.miami.edu
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
PTS 616 | Clinical Research I | 2 |
PTS 629 | Evaluation and Treatment of Spinal Dysfunctions I | 3 |
PTS 631 | Gross Anatomy for Physical Therapy I | 3 |
PTS 632 | Gross Anatomy for Physical Therapy II | 3 |
PTS 640 | Neuroscience I | 3 |
PTS 641 | Neuroscience II | 3 |
PTS 642 | Biophysical Agents | 2 |
PTS 643 | Medical Pathology Seminar I | 1 |
PTS 644 | Medical Pathology Seminar II | 1 |
PTS 645 | Medical Pathology Seminar III | 1 |
PTS 646 | Medical Pathology Seminar IV | 1 |
PTS 647 | Introduction to Systems Pathophysiology | 1 |
PTS 651 | Health Systems Science 1: Foundations of Health System Science | 1 |
PTS 652 | Health Systems Science 2: Population Health and Social Determinants of Health | 1 |
PTS 653 | Health Systems Science 3: Barriers and Enablers to Health and Healthcare in the US | 1 |
PTS 654 | Health Systems Science IV: Practice Administration, Management and Leadership | 1 |
PTS 664 | Essential Skills 1 - Professional Formation | 1 |
PTS 665 | Essential Skills 2: Foundations of Communication | 1 |
PTS 667 | Essential Skills III – Situational Communication | 1 |
PTS 668 | Essential Skills IV: Career Preparation Post-Professional Development | 1 |
PTS 670 | Clinical Skills in Physical Therapy | 3 |
PTS 671 | Therapeutic Physiology | 2 |
PTS 672 | Clinical Kinesiology and Biomechanics | 3 |
PTS 674 | Clinical Examination | 3 |
PTS 675 | Clinical Decision Making I | 2 |
PTS 676 | Medical Screening in Physical Therapy | 2 |
PTS 706 | Neurological Evaluation | 2 |
PTS 708 | Normal Human Gait and Locomotion | 1 |
PTS 709 | Pathological Human Gait and Locomotion | 1 |
PTS 710 | Clinical Experience I | 2 |
PTS 711 | Clinical Experience II | 2 |
PTS 714 | Neurorehabilitation | 4 |
PTS 715 | Acute Care Management of the Complex Patient | 3 |
PTS 716 | Clinical Research II | 1 |
PTS 717 | Clinical Research Project | 3 |
PTS 723 | Oncologic Rehabilitation | 1 |
PTS 724 | Cardio-Respiratory Physical Therapy | 4 |
PTS 726 | Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
PTS 727 | Prosthetics and Orthotics | 2 |
PTS 728 | Musculoskeletal Examination and Manual Treatment I | 4 |
PTS 729 | Evaluation and Treatment of Spinal Dysfunctions II | 3 |
PTS 730 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 2 |
PTS 731 | Geriatric Physical Therapy | 2 |
PTS 732 | Foundations of Inclusive Pelvic Health | 1 |
PTS 736 | Therapeutic Exercise II | 2 |
PTS 745 | Integumentary Disorders and Treatment | 2 |
PTS 748 | Advanced Topics in Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy | 3 |
PTS 775 | Clinical Decision Making II | 2 |
PTS 785 | Medical Diagnostic Tests | 1 |
PTS 803 | Clinical Experience III | 2 |
PTS 804 | Clinical Experience IV | 2 |
Electives 1 | 1 | |
Total Credit Hours | 103 |
- 1
Students are required to complete a minimum of 1 elective credit in addition to the required courses.
Suggested Plan of Study
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
PTS 616 | Clinical Research I | 2 |
PTS 647 | Introduction to Systems Pathophysiology | 1 |
PTS 670 | Clinical Skills in Physical Therapy | 3 |
PTS 672 | Clinical Kinesiology and Biomechanics | 3 |
PTS 674 | Clinical Examination | 3 |
PTS 665 | Essential Skills 2: Foundations of Communication | 1 |
PTS 708 | Normal Human Gait and Locomotion | 1 |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Spring | ||
PTS 640 | Neuroscience I | 3 |
PTS 642 | Biophysical Agents | 2 |
PTS 644 | Medical Pathology Seminar II | 1 |
PTS 726 | Therapeutic Exercise | 3 |
PTS 728 | Musculoskeletal Examination and Manual Treatment I | 4 |
PTS 709 | Pathological Human Gait and Locomotion | 1 |
PTS 716 | Clinical Research II | 1 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Summer | ||
PTS 631 | Gross Anatomy for Physical Therapy I | 3 |
PTS 632 | Gross Anatomy for Physical Therapy II | 3 |
PTS 643 | Medical Pathology Seminar I | 1 |
PTS 651 | Health Systems Science 1: Foundations of Health System Science | 1 |
PTS 664 | Essential Skills 1 - Professional Formation | 1 |
Credit Hours | 9 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
PTS 710 | Clinical Experience I | 2 |
PTS 646 | Medical Pathology Seminar IV | 1 |
PTS 671 | Therapeutic Physiology | 2 |
PTS 706 | Neurological Evaluation | 2 |
PTS 745 | Integumentary Disorders and Treatment | 2 |
PTS 653 | Health Systems Science 3: Barriers and Enablers to Health and Healthcare in the US | 1 |
Credit Hours | 10 | |
Spring | ||
PTS 714 | Neurorehabilitation | 4 |
PTS 724 | Cardio-Respiratory Physical Therapy | 4 |
PTS 727 | Prosthetics and Orthotics | 2 |
PTS 731 | Geriatric Physical Therapy | 2 |
PTS 730 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 2 |
PTS 667 | Essential Skills III – Situational Communication | 1 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Summer | ||
PTS 629 | Evaluation and Treatment of Spinal Dysfunctions I | 3 |
PTS 641 | Neuroscience II | 3 |
PTS 645 | Medical Pathology Seminar III | 1 |
PTS 675 | Clinical Decision Making I | 2 |
PTS 676 | Medical Screening in Physical Therapy | 2 |
PTS 652 | Health Systems Science 2: Population Health and Social Determinants of Health | 1 |
Credit Hours | 12 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
PTS 717 | Clinical Research Project | 3 |
PTS 748 | Advanced Topics in Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy | 3 |
PTS 654 | Health Systems Science IV: Practice Administration, Management and Leadership | 1 |
PTS 775 | Clinical Decision Making II | 2 |
PTS 785 | Medical Diagnostic Tests | 1 |
PTS 711 | Clinical Experience II | 2 |
Credit Hours | 12 | |
Spring | ||
PTS 803 | Clinical Experience III | 2 |
PTS 804 | Clinical Experience IV | 2 |
Credit Hours | 4 | |
Summer | ||
PTS 715 | Acute Care Management of the Complex Patient | 3 |
PTS 729 | Evaluation and Treatment of Spinal Dysfunctions II | 3 |
PTS 736 | Therapeutic Exercise II | 2 |
PTS 723 | Oncologic Rehabilitation | 1 |
PTS 732 | Foundations of Inclusive Pelvic Health | 1 |
PTS 668 | Essential Skills IV: Career Preparation Post-Professional Development | 1 |
Credit Hours | 11 | |
Total Credit Hours | 102 |
- 1
Students are required to complete a minimum of 1 elective credit in addition to the required courses.
- 2
The University of Miami, Department of Physical Therapy has affiliations with several clinical sites locally and throughout the country. Distant internships may incur additional expenses for the student.
- 3
The clinical experience is full-time (minimum of 40 hours per week). Clinical experiences are a part of the required curriculum and not paid. Note: International students in F-1 status are required to obtain authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) from the Department of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to engaging in practical training. Practical training is defined as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
- 4
Clinical experiences are typically 8-9 weeks. Clinical experiences may fall outside of the Academic Calendar dates to accommodate the required number of hours.
Mission
The mission of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSOM), Department of Physical Therapy is:
“Advancing physical therapy and human movement through exceptional education, pioneering research, and transformative clinical practice.”
Goals
The overall goal of the curriculum is to produce a highly competent generalist practitioner at the doctoral level. This would encompass the following guiding principles enveloping our mission, philosophy and goals, and expressed as outcomes of the DPT educational experience at UMPT:
- Globally educated generalist physical therapist incorporating the patient/client management model
- Competent in the interpretation and implementation of research leading to evidence-based practice
- Capable of providing high quality care to all who need it
- To be participants and leaders in community service activities
Thus, our graduates are prepared for future professional and societal obligations through providing leadership and contributing to both the growth of the profession, and the clinical research agenda.
Student Learning Outcomes
- DPT graduates will demonstrate proficiency for entry level professional practice at the end of their terminal clinical experience.
- DPT graduates will demonstrate proficiency in patient/client management by the end of their terminal clinical experience.
- DPT students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize and interpret research literature as a foundation for the practice of physical therapy.
- DPT graduates will show entry level proficiency in clinical reasoning, the ability to apply current knowledge, theory, clinical judgment and the patient's value and perspective in patient management, at the end of their terminal clinical experience.