Electives

Advanced electives are chosen from courses offered by the Division of Physical Therapy and/or other departments at the university. Departments offering electives include, but are not limited to, Neuroscience, Rollins School of Public Health and Goizueta School of Business. These courses are taken in the final two semesters of study. Specific elective courses may not be offered every year.

The following are 3 credit courses offered within the Division of Physical Therapy:

Advanced Oncology Elective (DPT 935 and 935A)

The Advanced Oncology elective is for someone who has a passion for oncology care and wants to continue to expand their clinical, didactic, and critical decision-making for the cancer survivor. Through this course, the student will become better prepared for examination, evaluation, intervention, coordination of care, and discharge planning for the cancer survivor across the continuum of care. Active learning through discussion boards, reviewing evidence-based best practices, introduction to compression bandaging and manual lymph drainage, administrative projects, and case study analysis allows the student to challenge themselves to grow and better comprehend the extensive challenges the cancer survivor faces. Successful completion of the Fall didactic and case-based DPT 935 is a prerequisite for the Spring DPT 935A elective. The Spring elective places students for up to 100 hours with clinical partners who have specialized in oncology care to integrate material provided in the Fall elective. Students are welcome to participate in the Fall elective without committing to the Spring clinical elective.

Advanced PT Applications of Pain Neuroscience (DPT 937)

This course is designed as an advanced study of pain science informed diagnosis and treatment in physical therapy practice. Materials will be presented with a focus on case-based learning and an emphasis on practical application of treatment and diagnosis principles utilizing hands-on lab sessions and advanced case study examples.

Introduction to Women’s Health (DPT 940)

Students will complete internal musculoskeletal examination (lab).

Movement System in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice (DPT 942)

This course is designed for the student who aspires to gain a more advanced understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of movement dysfunction as it relates to the orthopaedic client and active populations. The classroom environment will be a “moving classroom” in which students will be learning while either moving, assessing movement or teaching movement. Current concepts involving The Human Movement System, as defined by the APTA, will be integrated into examination and evaluation processes designed to identify movement dysfunctions contributing to a pathoanatomical diagnosis and/or movement dysfunctions caused by pain or injury. Specifically, the student will learn to utilize the Selective Functional Movement Assessment to screen for the presence of movement dysfunction and identify specific underlying impairments contributing to that movement dysfunction. Aberrant movement will be further classified by incorporating many of the concepts found in the literature on Movement System Impairment Syndromes.

Critical Thinking and Integration in Current Practice (DPT 947)

The residency directed ‘Critical Thinking and Integration in Current Practice elective is a clinically infused case-based course to help students prepare for post graduate practice. The 14 cases will span a variety of orthopedic, neurologic, pediatric sports medicine and acute care current clinical cases. The cases are presented and facilitated by current orthopedic, pediatric sports medicine, neurologic and acute care residents. Each case will challenge the student to incorporate evidence-based best practice with clinical and critical decision making. Influences on components of examination, intervention and discharge plan will be discussed based on ethical practice and billing, socioeconomic and underrepresented community challenges, how insurance plays a role in decision making, as well as productivity and outcome metrics. 

Business Management for the Physical Therapist Entrepreneur (DPT 952)

The purpose of this course is to instill an entrepreneurial mindset in physical therapy students irrespective of the practice environment in which they choose to work. This course is for students interested in learning the art and science of becoming a successful entrepreneur in the physical therapy industry. This course will help students learn planning, operational, and analytical skills that will improve the likelihood of success in starting their own private practices or introducing new services in different health care settings (acute care hospital, rehabilitation center, etc.). This course will provide a glimpse of a number of primary business disciplines including marketing, finance, operations, management, market research, and strategy.

Manual and Manipulative Therapy (DPT 954)

The historical development of manipulative therapy is investigated starting with the use of manipulation by bone setters followed by the introduction of manipulation into the medical, osteopathic, chiropractic and physical therapy professions. The various schools of manipulative thought are investigated with recognition to the individual contributors who advanced the practice of manipulation. The current state practice acts regarding the utilization of manipulation in the physical therapy profession is reviewed. Supportive arguments against the regulation of manipulative therapy within the profession of physical therapy are explored. Theoretical rationale and effects of manipulation are examined with respect to psychological impact, neurophysiologic influences and mechanical changes. Spinal manipulative research and evidence for the use of manipulation is analyzed. Risks, adverse reactions and contraindications are considered. The psychomotor skills required in the successful performance of manipulation are also addressed.

Dry Needling (DPT 959)

This course focuses on skill acquisition of dry needling technique and clinical reasoning for implementing the intervention for upper and lower quarter dysfunction including spine. While evidence is limited pertaining to the technique, emerging evidence is supportive and will be explored including some discussion of the strengths and limitations of the current available evidence. Current ongoing research will be explored as well as identifying gaps in the literature. Case based and problem based approaches will be implemented to enhance the clinical reasoning behind the use of dry needling.

Spanish for Physical Therapists (DPT 960)

Spanish for Physical Therapists is an elective course designed for physical therapy students who want to improve communication skills with Spanish speaking patients and their caregivers through increased awareness of Hispanic American culture and improved ability to use spoken Spanish to communicate during physical therapy assessments and treatment procedures. Assessment topics include: family and home environment, work history, medical history, pain assessment, functional assessment, range of motion testing, muscle testing, neurologic examination procedures, balance and gait assessment, and developmental assessment for children. Treatment procedures include: explanation of precautions, therapeutic exercises, functional training, gait training and the use of physical modalities. Students also learn to give instructions to patients about appropriate dress for treatment procedures, to make appointments and to give directions to the clinic or other locations. Class materials including vocabulary lists, exercise programs and patient education handouts allow students to build a portfolio of resources to use in the delivery of physical therapy services to patients who speak Spanish and very little or no English.

Advanced Acute Care (DPT 961)

The purpose of this course is to enhance the assimilation of knowledge and skills to facilitate early mobilization in the intensive care unit. This course is for students interested in integrating problem solving, pathophysiology, electrocardiograms, and technology to achieve early mobilization as part of a multidisciplinary team in the Intensive Care Unit.

This course will provide students the opportunity to learn various assessment skills, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through case-based analysis of patient scenarios. Through this process the students can develop evidence based reasoning for early mobilization in the intensive care unit to impact patient and cost outcomes for the acute care setting.

Directed Study (DPT 970)

Specialized leaning experiences related to the student’s program, which are not available through formal course offerings. These courses offer student the opportunity to focus on a specific focused area of study and typically culminate in a formal paper and/or presentation to faculty and students.

Readings in Physical Therapy (DPT 972)

Readings in Physical Therapy provides the student with an opportunity for in-depth review, critique and synthesis of current literature beyond readings not available through formal course offerings. These courses typically culminate in a formal paper and/or presentation to faculty and students.

Spinal Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (DPT 978)

A study of the functional anatomy, clinical biomechanics and neuromotor behavior of spinal dysfunction/pathology. Evaluative tests to differentiate the nature of spinal motion disorders are emphasized. The significance of test findings and the formulation of treatment plans are discussed. Management strategies for pain relief, improvement in motion performance and return to functional activities will be demonstrated. Manual therapy for motion impairments and spinal stabilization strategies are significant components of the course. The course also investigates the rationale and evidence for establishing a plan of care. Also presented are special topic areas related to temporomandibular disorders and pelvic girdle dysfunction.

Advanced Pediatrics (DPT 984)

This pediatric course begins with advanced level study of musculoskeletal growth and motor development in typical children and then progresses to the study of common pediatric disorders and physical therapy interventions that are effective for these problems. Students review evidence related to effects of physical therapy interventions to improve function, musculoskeletal status, and quality of life in children with neurologic and orthopedic disorders. Format includes: presentations by the instructors, readings, case based discussions, clinical site visits, reviews of research in group seminars and occasional laboratory sessions to learn special techniques.

Vestibular Rehabilitation (DPT 986)

This intense, evidence-based, six-day course consists of lecture and laboratory sessions with additional self-study sessions emphasizing the physical therapy management of patients with peripheral vestibular disorders. All participants will be expected to demonstrate assessment skills to faculty including: oculomotor examination with emphasis on the identification of nystagmus and canal involvement; balance and gait, fall risk and functional assessments. Participants will also be expected to demonstrate appropriate treatment procedures for BPPV affecting posterior, anterior and horizontal canals for both cupulolithiasis and canalithiasis, for unilateral and bilateral peripheral vestibular disorders, and for disorders resulting in motion sensitivity such as central vestibular disorders including traumatic brain injury. Emphasis will be on utilizing assessment results to develop an effective treatment plan.

Interfacing Engineering Technology and Rehabilitation (DPT 988)

This course incorporates an innovative education model bringing physical therapy, occupational therapy, engineering, medicine and science students together across multiple US universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University and Harvard University. This course is designed to introduce students to current and near-future technology to enhance and facilitate rehabilitation for persons with a variety of health conditions. The course will feature recent discoveries in research related to rehabilitation technology and their underlying physiological basis; lectures from leading researchers, entrepreneurs and clinicians; conversations and interviews with people living with the health conditions being studied; and group writing focusing on personal experience, clinical assessments and proposed engineering solutions.

Sports Physical Therapy (DPT 990)

This course extends the students’ clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills in the examination and management of common sports injuries and conditions affecting the athlete. Students will explore selected mechanisms of sports injuries affecting the neuromusculoskeletal system, the resulting pathokinematics, examination procedures, the rationale for clinical tests used in differential diagnosis, the significance of test findings and the formulation of treatment plans. Management strategies for acute injuries, improvement in motion performance, sports biomechanics and return to sports activities will be reviewed and demonstrated. Intervention strategies will include first aid, taping, manual therapy, and exercise techniques. The course also investigates the relationships between extremity joint injuries and adjacent regions, including the spine.

Advanced Adult Neurorehabilitation (DPT 992)

Course content will include advanced study of neurologic diagnoses, examination, intervention, and clinical decision-making. Clinical education will be incorporated either through a short-term intensive clinical service learning experience in rural Jamaica with a population of adult individuals post-stroke or via an alternative local clinical site. Classroom, laboratory, and directed study of the current body of literature for the practice of neurologic physical therapy will be required. Special attention will be given to various outcome measures and interventions with respect to both theory and practice, with a focus on current evidence-based medicine.

Service Learning (DPT 994)

This course offers the opportunity to explore the physical therapists’ role in providing a variety of services to medically underserved communities. Service learning consists of academic learning modules integrated with meaningful community service experiences designed to increase civic responsibility and cultural competence and strengthen communities. The course consists of independently completed web-based learning modules, written reflections, and provision of services to a community (community projects TBA). Student must have an agreement with a faculty advisor regarding their service learning project prior to registering for this course.

Preceptorships (DPT 900 level courses)

Preceptorships are practical learning experiences that allow students to participate in the teaching-learning process in a formal educational setting. The experience may include participation in preparation for classes, classroom lectures and/or discussion, and clinical laboratories. Faculty are currently offering preceptorships in the following courses: Introduction to Interventions, Neuroscience, General Medical Conditions, Adult Neurorehabilitation, Pediatric Rehabilitation, and Spanish for Physical Therapists.

Topics in Advanced Pediatric Physical Therapy Practice (course number 983)

This course will cover selected pediatric physical therapy topics with didactic materials, case-based clinical decision making and intervention selections beyond entry-level. After an advanced research review of motor skills in the context of whole child development, specialty topics covered will include pediatric PT in acute care, pediatric cancer rehab, review of childhood adverse experiences and advocacy surrounding ACEs etc. Teaching format will include didactic materials, readings, group seminars and interactive lab. Each class will include case studies including evidence-based intervention options, discussion and labs as needed. Development of a specialty case and presentation as a final project is required. This elective pediatric course is complementary to the Spring Advanced Pediatrics course, but content is entirely novel.      

Exploration of Human Behavior (course number 825)

Failing to recognize or underestimating behavioral, cognitive and mental health issues can significantly impact treatment outcomes. This course equips therapists with the skills to identify these behaviors, understand their own responses to them and evaluate their influence on treatment planning and effectiveness. Topics include behavioral, cognitive, and mental health conditions, the behaviors that might be seen in these conditions, as well as social-cultural aspects of disability. The course format emphasizes lectures and small group discussions.