DPT Program

Curriculum

Upon acceptance into the Physical Therapy Program, the Graduate College will develop a degree plan in consultation with the Physical Therapy Graduate Advisor. A copy will be provided to the student and the program. The degree program includes all courses required for successful completion of  the program--98 credit hours. The Texas State University DPT Curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure in all states. The Program retains the right to update curriculum as needed.

Student Outcomes

Technical Standards

The Department of Physical Therapy’s intent is to educate competent entry-level generalist physical therapists who can examine, evaluate, manage, and treat the general population of acute and rehabilitation patients in contemporary healthcare settings. To successfully complete both the didactic and clinical components of the program, entering students must possess specific intellectual and physical abilities, referred to as “Technical Standards”. These standards represent the minimum expected and essential abilities stipulated by the faculty for graduation from the program and performance of entry-level practice.

Prospective students are expected to review these standards prior to applying for admission into the program. Admission determinations are made on the assumption that each applicant meets these standards with or without reasonable accommodation. The Department acknowledges the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and encourages prospective students to contact the Department and/or the Texas State Office of Disability Services with any questions regarding whether they meet the Technical Standards.

The Department’s Technical Standards are divided into five sections and are listed below for thoughtful consideration:

Section 1 - Behavioral and Social Abilities

Candidates should demonstrate:

1. Awareness of and management strategies for physical and mental health required for utilization of intellectual abilities, exercise of good judgement, and completion of all responsibilities 
2. Effective strategies to manage workloads
3. Mature, sensitive, reflective, and effective relationships with individuals and colleagues
4. Strategies to assist with flexibility and adaptability in uncertain environments inherent in graduate education
5. Compassion, integrity, motivation, commitment, and concern for others in the education and healthcare settings
6. Open mindedness and respect for different values, opinions, cultures, and situations

Section 2 – Cognitive and Intellectual Abilities 

Candidates should demonstrate:

1. Ability to measure, test, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and apply information
2. Ability to acquire, integrate, apply, and retain learned information
3. Appropriate planning, time management, and use of resources
4. Self-reflection and self-assessment, as well as the ability to assess others
5. Ability to accept and process constructive criticism in a professional manner

Section 3 – Communication

Candidates should demonstrate: 

1. Capacity to collect information from patients
2. Sensitive and compassionate communication with individuals and groups, including patients, clients, and caregivers
3. Potential for accurate communication and documentation with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, payors, vendors, etc. 
4. Capacity to give instructions and feedback to others 

Section 4 – Sensory/Observation

Candidates should demonstrate: 

1. Ability to collect and accurately interpret information from classroom and clinical environments.
2. Potential to examine and evaluate patients. This requires the use, or functional equivalent, of the senses: hearing, vision, and/or touch. 

Section 5 – Psychomotor Skills

Candidates should demonstrate:

1. Strategies necessary to participate in didactic and clinical education

Candidates should review the Technical Standards by May 1st to determine if they require accommodation(s) to fully engage in the curriculum of the Texas State University Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. In rare instances where candidates are accepted after the May 1^st deadline, they should review the Technical Standards prior to the first day of class. Candidates for admission with a disability are not required to disclose the specifics of their disability but they must attest that they can complete the tasks listed above, with or without reasonable accommodation by May 1st. 

If accommodations may be needed, the candidate should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) after admission to the program to confidentially discuss their accommodation needs. The program will partner with disability resource professionals to develop accommodations to maximize access for students with disabilities. Given the clinical nature of the Texas State Physical Therapy Program, additional time may be needed to implement accommodation(s). Per ODS’s website, it may take up to 30 business days for review of your documentation. Accommodation is never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.