Physical Therapy

The Department of Physical Therapy offers a fully-accredited, graduate program of study that leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The department is also part of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Ph.D. offered by the Graduate College.

The mission of the UNLV Department of Physical Therapy is to enhance human health and quality of life through education, scholarly activity, and community service and our vision is to be recognized nationally among the top tier of physical therapy programs for impactful research, educational excellence, and service that promote the improvement of health of individuals, populations, and society

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is designed to prepare students to participate as members of the healthcare team to promote health of individual patients through evidence-based care and the promotion of wellness, optimal health and function, and prevention of disability for any age individual in any setting. Due to constantly changing environments within the health care system, the physical therapist must be flexible and holistic in the approach to the delivery of health care. Thus, the curriculum is designed to provide the student with opportunities to develop critical reasoning skills, clinical and research competence, professional values and behaviors, leadership skills, and effective communication skills in an effort to understand and function within the dynamic healthcare environment and to develop skills and strategies to be capable evidence-based practitioners. In addition, it is imperative to promote an understanding and acceptance of the diversity of individuals of various cultures, races, and religions. 

There are two major components of the curriculum: academic courses and clinical experiences. The academic courses are designed to provide the information and theory base that is integrated and expanded in the clinical setting. However, the clinical competence will be verified in the classroom as well as in the clinical setting. Clinical components are integrated into various parts of the curriculum to allow students to utilize their knowledge and develop skills in a supervised situation.

The curriculum utilizes a competency-based approach has been proven to be most effective when assessing a student’s performance level. To verify clinical competency, students will be required to successfully complete a series of “practical check-offs” throughout the curriculum. Competency-based performance ensures that learning experiences and evaluations are organized around the major clinical behaviors that must be exhibited by students at entry into the profession. Integrated learning experiences throughout the curriculum enhance the acquisition, utilization, and retention of concepts and skills necessary for competent entry-level practice. The initial focus of the physical therapy curriculum is on normal human function in conjunction with theory-based information and the introduction of problem-solving skills and critical thinking. As the curriculum advances, clinical reasoning using clinical scenarios is introduced; this encourages students to problem-solve and analyze patient cases that are more complex in terms of pathology and psychosocial issues. Repetition of key information, reinforcement of theory and hands-on practice, and the incorporation of a variety of teaching styles and methods of learning as a way of developing critical thinking and inquiry, are areas emphasized to promote full retention of material and attain proficiency in entry-level competencies. Development of coping strategies, appropriate oral and written communication skills, and understanding the roles of members of the health care team are also areas targeted to be integrated throughout the educational experience. 

Ultimately, the purpose of the DPT program is to provide students pursuing a career in physical therapy the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the safe practice of physical therapy. Students are prepared as generalists, but also have some opportunity to investigate specialized aspects of physical therapy (e.g., orthopedics, sports, pediatrics, neurologic, geriatrics, wound care) through four different clinical experiences. The program of study consists of 112 credit hours of graduate coursework and consists of intense academic and clinical work spread over six semesters and three summers. These hours are divided between classroom, clinical, service-learning, and research activities.

Upon receiving their DPT degree, students will be eligible to sit for the national licensure examination in physical therapy.

Merrill Landers, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Chair
Daniel Young, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator

Program Information 

Physical Therapy Faculty  

Physical Therapy Courses  

Department Website

Plan 

Doctor of Physical Therapy