Students in the Division of Physical Therapy at Emory earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The program of study is 35 months in length. Students enter the program in June and graduate three years later in May. For all degree programs, the majority of required credits for graduation must be earned at Emory University School of Medicine. In the first two semesters, students study normal structure and function of the human body, principles of movement science across the life span, and basic skills necessary for professional practice. Beginning in the third semester, study of pathophysiology and disease processes is integrated with clinical problem solving in concurrent courses with associated part time clinical education experiences. Before students are awarded their degrees, they must successfully complete 30 weeks of full time clinical internships at sites which represent the diverse environments in which physical therapists practice. Emory students choose from selected clinical education sites in the metropolitan Atlanta area and outstanding facilities around the nation. During the final two semesters of study in the DPT program, students return to Emory to complete advanced course work, research projects and choose from specialized elective courses in areas of individual interest. After graduation, all physical therapists must take a state licensure examination. Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program is required to take state licensure examinations in physical therapy.
Class Schedule
Semester 1: Summer (1st year)
| SU | DPT 700 | Health Promotion, Wellness and Prevention: Individual | 1 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 705 | Human Anatomy | 4 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 710 | Fundamentals of Clinical Measurement | 3 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 715 | Kinesiology and Biomechanics | 4 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 720 | Ethics and Professionalism | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 725 | Interpersonal Communications | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
Semester Total = 16 credits
Semester 2: Fall (1st year)
| FA | DPT 730 | Systems Physiology | 5 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 735 | Neuroscience | 4 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 740 | Introduction to Interventions | 3 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 745 | Growth Process through the Lifespan | 4 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 750 | The Teaching and Learning Process in Physical Therapy | 2 Credit Hours Graded |
Semester Total = 18 credits
Semester 3: Spring (1st year)
| SP | DPT 755 | General Medical Conditions | 12 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | DPT 760 | Medical Genetics in PT | 3 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | DPT 765 | Evidence-Based Practice | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | DPT 770 | Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice | 1 Credit Hour: Graded |
Semester Total = 18 credits
Semester 4: Summer (2nd year)
| SU | DPT 800 | Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation | 10 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 805 | Principles of Motor Learning | 3 Credit Hours: Graded |
Semester Total = 13 credits
Semester 5: Fall (2nd year)
| FA | DPT 810 | Adult Neurorehabilitation | 7 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 815 | Pediatric Rehabilitation | 4 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 820 | Health Service and Management | 3 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 825 | Exploration of Human Behavior | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
Semester Total = 16 credits
Semester 6: Spring (2nd year)
| SP | DPT 830 | Terminal Clinical Education I | 10 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | DPT 840 | Terminal Clinical Education II | 10 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | DPT 870 | Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice II | 1 Credit Hour: Graded |
Semester Total = 21 credits
Semester 7: Summer (3rd year)
| SU | DPT 900 | Terminal Clinical Education III | 10 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SU | DPT 905 | Current Practices in PT | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
Semester Total = 12 credits
Semester 8: Fall (3rd year)
| FA | DPT 910 | Advanced Medical Screening | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 915 | Clinical Research I | 6 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | DPT 930 | Professional Leadership and Development | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
| FA | Electives | 6 Credit Hours: Graded |
Semester Total = 16 credits
Semester 9: Spring (3rd year)
| SP | DPT 920 | Health Promotion, Wellness and Prevention: Community | 2 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | DPT 925 | Clinical Research II | 6 Credit Hours: Graded |
| SP | Electives | 6 Credit Hours: Graded |
Semester Total = 14 credits
Total Credits for Program = 144
Elective credits will start with the numbering of DPT 950. The DPT Curriculum Committee will identify the electives and number of hours for each.