Ohio University
Graduate Catalog
Physical Therapy
The School of Physical Therapy offers an entry-level master's program in physical therapy leading to a Master of Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) degree. The program begins in June and extends over a three-calendar-year period. The problem-solving curriculum is designed to prepare competent health care professionals who will be able to employ critical decision-making skills for optimal patient care and utilize critical inquiry for self-assessment, health care and professional issues, evaluation, research, and practice analysis.
Clinical experience is integrated with the didactic and laboratory components throughout the program of study. Part-time clinical practica are arranged in local clinics (community hospitals, home health agencies, extended care facilities, developmental disabilities centers, and private practices). Students are supervised by faculty and staff from Ohio University Therapy Associates, the school's faculty practice, and local clinicians. Full-time clinical practica are arranged in clinical facilities located outside of the Athens area. The School of Physical Therapy has agreements with medical centers, general acute hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and specialty clinics in Ohio as well as Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If accepted into the program, you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from clinical sites and for housing and other living expenses during all of your affiliations. You also will be required to: (1) obtain CPR certification; (2) have a physical examination, including evidence of results of a recent TB skin test; and (3) provide documentation of current immunization for hepatitis B (or waiver form). Because you may be exposed to infectious diseases during your affiliations, some sites may require proof of immunization for other selected diseases. In addition, you must purchase name tags and malpractice insurance to be eligible for participation in the clinical practica. Membership in the American Physical Therapy Association and attendance at state conferences are encouraged.
Program of Study
The following is a listing of the courses required in the three-calendar-year graduate professional education program in physical therapy. First-year courses are dual listed at the undergraduate (400 numbers) and graduate level (500 numbers). Depending upon your admittance status, you enroll in either the undergraduate or graduate level of the course during your first year.
First Year Coursework
Course (Hours)
PT 400 or 500 Human Anatomy & Dissection (7)
PT 401 or 501 Functional Anatomy (3)
PT 402 or 502 Clinical Kinesiology (3)
PT 403 or 503 Pathophysiologic Processes in Physical Therapy (2)
PT 404 or 504 Intro to the Profession (2)
PT 405 or 505 Intro to Clinical Education (2)
PT 412 or 512 Professional Role Issues (2)
PT 425 or 525 Evaluation: Case Studies (2)
PT 440 or 540 Clinical Decision Making (3)
PT 448 or 548 Clinical Modalities (3)
PT 450 or 550 Intro to Clinical Orthopedics (3)
PT 467 or 567 General Medical Surgical (3)
PT 480 or 580 Research Design (3)
BIOS 402 or 502 Neuroscience (4)
Second Year Coursework
Course (Hours)
PT 641 Culture and Health
PT 642 Planning Physical Therapy Services (2)
PT 643 Managing Physical Therapy Services (3)
PT 651 Theoretical Foundations of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (3)
PT 652 Clinical Orthopedics I (4)
PT 660 Foundations of Neurological Physical Therapy (4)
PT 661 Motor Control and Applied Developmental Physical Therapy
(3)
PT 662 Problems in Positioning (3)
PT 668 Advanced Medical-Surgical Cases (3)
PT 670 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy (3)
PT 675 Clinical Practicum I (3)
PT 676 Clinical Practicum II (2)
PT 681 Research Issues I (2)
PT 682 Research Issues II (2)
Third Year Coursework
Course (Hours)
PT 644 Legal and Ethical Issues (3)
PT 653 Clinical Orthopedics II (4)
PT 654 Advanced Orthopedic Seminar
PT 663 Sensorimotor Control Mechanisms in Adult Neurological Rehab
(4)
PT 664 Advanced Neurological Seminar (2)
PT 677 Clinical Practicum III (3)
PT 678 Clinical Practicum IV (7)
PT 679 Clinical Teaching-Learning Processes (3)
PT 683 Research Issues III (2)
PT 685 Advanced Case Studies in Physical Therapy Evaluation and
Treatment (3)
PT 690 Independent Study (1-4)
PT 692 Critical Analysis of Physical Therapy (2)
PT 695 Research (1-4)
NOTE: The clinical practica are full 40-hour-week experiences. Clinical Practicum I is six weeks in length during the second summer. Clinical Practicum II is four weeks in length during winter break of Year 2. Clinical Practicum III is six weeks during the third summer. Clinical practicum IV is 12 weeks during spring of the third year.
Eligibility to Apply
Materials are available each September for application to the next
year's class, which begins in June. The application deadline is the
third Wednesday in November. You must meet the following requirements
in order to be eligible to apply for June admission to the School of
Physical Therapy graduate program:
- Earned a minimum overall grade-point average (g.p.a.) of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale.
- Completed at least eight of the 13 life and physical sciences prerequisite courses by the end of the fall quarter in which you apply. The remainder of the math, behavioral, and life/physical science prerequisites must be completed during the winter and spring quarters following submission of your application and prior to beginning study in the program.
- Earned a minimum of 94 to 98 undergraduate quarter hours or 62 to 65 semester hours by the end of the fall quarter of the academic year in which you apply.
- Completed or be able to complete a baccalaureate degree by the end of the first year of the program.
Minimum Prerequisite Course Requirements
NOTE: Recommended routes at Ohio University for completing prerequisite coursework, a baccalaureate degree, or a degree in absentia are through the College of Arts and Sciences Biological Sciences Prephysical Therapy Program or Psychology Prephysical Therapy Program; or the College of Health and Human Services, School of Recreation and Sport Sciences, Sport Sciences-Exercise Physiology Program, which offers a slightly less direct route.
General
Course (Hours)
PHIL 101 Fundamentals of Philosophy (5)
or PHIL 120 Principles of Reasoning (4)
PHIL 130 Intro to Ethics (4)
MATH 163A, B Intro to Calculus (7)
Behavioral Science
Course (Hours)
PSY 101 General Psychology (5)
PSY 273 Child and Adolescent Psychology (4)
PSY 332 Abnormal Psychology (4)
ANTH 101 Intro to Cultural Anthropology (5)
or SOC 101 Intro to Sociology
PSY 221 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (5)
Life and Physical Sciences
NOTE:
All life and physical science courses, except for
biomechanics/kinesiology, must include a laboratory component.
Course (Hours)
BIOS 301 or 302 Human Anatomy (6)
BIOS 170, 171 Intro to Zoology (10)
BIOS 352 Biomechanics (4)
or BIOS 420 Animal Locomotion
or PESS 302 Biomechanics
CHEM 121, 122, 123 Principles of Chemistry (12)
or CHEM 151, 152, 153 Fundamentals of Chemistry (15)
BIOS 445, 446 Physiology of Exercise (7)
or PESS 414, 415 Physiology of Exercise (7)
PHYS 201, 202 Intro to Physics (10)
BIOS 345, 346 Human Physiology (7)
Total 93-99 qtr hrs
Application Procedures
You must complete the following procedures:
1. Obtain a Physical Therapy Graduate Program admission packet from
the School of Physical Therapy, Ohio University, Convocation Center
199, Athens OH 45701. (Note: all application materials will be
included in the packet; do not use application or recommendation
forms found in this website.)
2. Submit your completed application packet to School of Physical
Therapy, Ohio University, Convocation Center 199, Athens OH
45701-2979, by the third Wednesday in November. There is a $25
nonrefundable fee for application to a graduate program at Ohio
University. The following must be included with the packet:
Selection Procedures
The School of Physical Therapy admissions committee considers the
following in ranking and selecting eligible applicants:
- Overall g.p.a.
- Prerequisite life and physical sciences g.p.a.
- Interview
- Essay
- References
Typically 36 students will be admitted yearly. You will be notified of acceptance by mid-April.
Eligibility Requirements to Begin Physical Therapy Coursework
If admitted, you must meet the following requirements prior to
beginning physical therapy coursework in June:
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework.
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree or an approved plan for baccalaureate degree completion by the end of the first year of the physical therapy program. At the minimum, you should have earned at least 94 to 98 undergraduate quarter hours or 62 to 65 semester hours. NOTE: If you do not complete a degree by the end of the first year, you will not be allowed to progress into the second year which begins the next June.
Faculty
Physical Therapy (PT) Courses
500 Human Anatomy and Dissection (7)
Detailed study of gross structures of extremities and body wall with
emphasis on musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, respiratory, and
cardiovascular structures. Relationships of structure to normal and
abnormal function stressed. Includes surface inspection, palpation,
analysis of radiographic studies, and dissection. 4 lec, 9 lab.
Staff; Su; Y.
501 Functional Anatomy (3)
Prereq: 500. Based on a foundation of gross anatomy structure, course
applies the principles of biomechanics to explore the relationship
between structure and function. Emphasis on biomechanics,
arthrokinematics, and muscle function of common activities. Study of
palpation, goniometry, manual muscle testing. 2 lec., 2 lab.
Staff; F; Y.
502 Clinical Kinesiology (3)
Prereq: 501. Course applies the principles of functional anatomy to
the study of posture and gait. Applications of palpation, goniometry,
and muscle testing skills to clinical situations. 2 lec. 3 lab.
Staff; W; Y.
503 Pathophysiological Processes in Physical Therapy
(2)
Prereq: 501. Application of physiological principles to the study of
disease and injury. Of particular importance are the etiologies and
classifications of pathology and the implications of pathophysiology
for physical therapy evaluation and treatment. 2 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
504 Introduction to the Profession (2)
Prereq: major. Introduces the physical therapy profession and
professional role expectations. Studies the history of physical
therapy as it relates to the professionalization process, including
ethical and legal obligations, as well as student responsibilities. 2
lec.
Staff; Su; Y.
505 Introduction to Clinical Education (2)
Prereq: 504. Introduces professional role responsibilities and
patient problems involved in different clinical settings such as
acute care hospitals (inpatient and outpatient), outpatient clinics,
rehab facilities, home health agencies, long term care facilities,
schools, and industrial settings. Basic communication skills for
effective therapist/patient interaction. Prepares students for first
clinical experiences. 2 lec.
Staff; F; Y.
512 Professional Role Issues (2)
Major philosophical and substantive issues confronting physical
therapists and other professionals involved in health care delivery
are discussed. Includes historical perspectives, education and
accreditation, and roles and responsibilities of physical therapists
relative to supportive personnel and related health care disciplines.
Emphasis on role problems. 2 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
525 APT Evaluations: Case Studies (2)
Introduction to evaluation formats and procedures to complement the
clinical decision-making process concurrently taught. Focus on
presenting general and specialty evaluations by clinicians, with
opportunities for discussion, practice, and critique. 1 lec, 2
lab.
Staff; W; Y.
540 Clinical Decision Making (3)
Prereq: 512. Presents theoretical foundation of clinical problem
solving. Problem solving models for decision making are advanced and
critiqued. Focus on physical therapy evaluation and treatment with
analysis of process utilized by clinicians. Application in the
clinical setting is provided through arranged experiences. 2 lec, 3
lab.
Staff; W; Y.
548A Clinical Modalities (3)
Prereq: 503. Designed to provide both theoretical base and procedural
techniques involved in the use of clinical modalities. Emphasis on
thermal agents, mechanical agents, electrical stimulation,
biofeedback, and electromyography. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; Sp; Y.
550A Introduction to Clinical Orthopedics (3)
Prereq: 502. Application of kinesiology, pathophysiology, evaluation,
and decision-making skills in common conditions such as sprains,
strains, fractures, and total joint arthoplasty. Clinical decision
making in sports medicine, industrial, and geriatric cases. Aspects
of orthopedic surgical intervention discussed. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; Sp; Y.
567 General Medical-Surgical Cases (3)
Prereq: 500. Presentation of general medical-surgical patient
problems commonly seen in physical therapy. Case study approach
incorporates basic, social, and clinical sciences as well as PT and
interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment. Practice skills focus on
diagnostic and patient care procedures. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; Sp; Y.
580A Research Design (3)
Prereq: 540. Application of research principles and procedures to
critical analysis of physical therapy related research literature;
identification and development of a researchable problem in physical
therapy. 3 lec.
Staff; Y.
641 Culture and Health (3)
Prereq: 540. Provides a cultural perspective for clinical problem
solving. Focus is on the cross-cultural nature of
professional-patient interaction. Participation in clinical setting
allows students to explore cultural dimensions of actual cases and
communities. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; F; Y.
642 Planning Physical Therapy Services (2)
Provides students with basic knowledge and skills needed to plan for
physical therapy services. Topics include organizational theory and
design, as well as planning for space, personnel, and budget needs of
a physical therapy practice. 2 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
643 Managing Physical Therapy Services (3)
Provides students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to
manage physical therapy services. Topics include implementing
personnel, equipment, and budgetary policies and procedures. 2 lec, 3
lab.
Staff; Sp; Y.
644 Legal and Ethical Issues (3)
Prereq: 643. Provides an ethical and legal framework for clinical
problem solving. Focuses on personal and professional assessment of
complex issues in health care delivery. Participation in clinical
setting to explore ethical and legal issues in patient practice. 2
lec, 3 lab.
Staff; W; Y.
651 Theoretical Foundations of Orthopedic Physical Therapy
(3)
Prereq: 550. Presentation of patient problems involving
musculoskeletal dysfunction commonly seen in PT. Each problem
incorporates content from basic, social, and clinical sciences, as
well as physical therapy arts and sciences. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; F; Y.
652 Clinical Orthopedics I (4)
Prereq: 651. Designed to complement and expand on the basic knowledge
and skills taught in 651. Focuses on specific pathological problems
of the hip, knee, ankle, foot, and lumbar spine. Covers the anatomy,
arthrokinematics, detailed evaluation, and treatment in relation to
specific pathological problems. 3 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; W; Y.
653 Clinical Orthopedics II (4)
Prereq: 652. Designed to complement and expand on basic knowledge and
skills taught in 652. Focuses on specific pathological problems of
the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Covers the
anatomy, arthrokinematics, detailed evaluation, and treatment in
relation to specific pathological problems. 3 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; F; Y.
654 Advanced Clinical Orthopedic Seminar (2)
Prereq: 653. Provides opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills
from prior orthopedic courses into the study of advanced patient
problems. Emphasis on recent theoretical advances and/or
state-of-the-art physical therapy approaches. 2 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
660 Foundations of Neurological Physical Therapy (4)
Prereq: 500. Presentation of patient problems involving neuromuscular
dysfunction associated with trauma or pathology of spinal or
peripheral structures. Content of each problem incorporates basic,
social, and clinical sciences and physical therapy arts and sciences.
3 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; F; Y.
661 Motor Control and Applied Developmental Physical Therapy
(3)
Prereq: 660. Physical therapy evaluation, treatment, and
documentation of developmental patient problems related to central
nervous system dysfunction in infants, children, and adolescents.
Emphasis on treatment procedures for clients with abnormalities of
muscle tone, postural stability and adjustment, movement quality, and
function. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; W; Y.
662 Problems in Positioning (3)
Prereq: 661. Designed to help students learn to augment physical
therapy plans of care by integrating the use of orthotics, casts,
mobility systems, custom seating systems, and adaptive positioning
systems. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; Sp; Y.
663 Sensorimotor Control Mechanisms in Adult Neurological
Rehabilitation (4)
Prereq: 661. Physical therapy evaluation, treatment, and
documentation of complex problems related to sensorimotor control
dysfunction in adults. Contemporary models of neurophysiologic
control of posture and movement form the basis for applying
evaluation and treatment procedures for abnormalities of muscle tone,
postural adaptability, movement quality, and function. 2 lec, 4
lab.
Staff; F; Y.
664 Advanced Clinical Neurology Seminar (2)
Prereq: 663. Provides opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills
from prior neurology courses and clinical experiences into the study
of advanced patient problems and critical issues. Emphasis on recent
theoretical advances and/or complex, state-of-the-art physical
therapy approaches. 2 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
668 Advanced Medical-Surgical Cases (3)
Prereq: 667. Designed to provide students with opportunities to
incorporate the knowledge and skills of medical-surgical problems
with physical therapy knowledge and skills. Emphasis on complex
medical-surgical problems, advanced evaluation and treatment
techniques, and interdisciplinary health care issues. 2 lec, 3
lab.
Staff; Sp; Y.
670 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy (3)
Prereq: 667. Covers patient problems involving cardiovascular and
respiratory dysfunction commonly seen in physical therapy. Problems
incorporate content from basic, social, and clinical sciences and
physical therapy arts and sciences. 2 lec, 2 lab.
Staff; W; Y.
675 Clinical Practicum I (3)
Prereq: 512. Participation in planning, development, delivery, and
evaluation of patient care and administrative, educational, and
consultative services in physical therapy or community health.
Students assigned to variety of community-based physical therapy
units and health care agencies. 40 hours/week for six weeks.
Staff; Su; Y.
676 Clinical Practicum II (2)
Prereq: 675. See 675 for description. 40 hours/week for four
weeks.
Staff; W; Y.
677 Clinical Practicum III (3)
Prereq: 676. See 675 for description. 40 hours/week for six
weeks.
Staff; Su; Y.
678 Clinical Practicum IV (7)
Prereq: 677. See 675 for description. 40 hours/week for 12 weeks.
Staff; Sp; Y.
679 Clinical Teaching-Learning Processes (3)
Prereq: 668. Application of education theories, practices, and
procedures in developing, implementing, and evaluating instructional
programs for patients, families, community groups, physical therapy
students, and health care providers. Emphasis on unique demands
imposed on education by consumer's health care needs, clinical
environment, and health care organization and delivery. 2 lec, 3
lab.
Staff; F; Y.
681 Research Issues I (2)
Prereq: 580. Designed as part of a three-course series on systematic
inquiry into questions surrounding PT education and clinical
practice. Explores theoretical frameworks for both quantitative and
qualitative research design. Topics depend upon faculty and student
research questions and will vary each year. Students may take
research hours concurrently to work with an advisor on an approved
project. 2 lec.
Staff; F; Y.
682 Research Issues II (2)
Prereq: 681. Second course in series and explores data collection and
analysis methodologies. Students may take research hours concurrently
to work with an advisor on an approved project. 2 lec.
Staff; Sp; Y.
683 Research Issues III (2)
Prereq: 682. Third course in series explores the dissemination of
research findings through publication, presentation, and grant
writing. Topics will depend on research projects completed and
dissemination strategies of the researchers. Students may take
research hours concurrently to work with an advisor on an approved
project. 2 lec.
Staff; F; Y.
685 Advanced Case Studies in PT Evaluation and Treatment
(3)
Prereq: 653, 663. Synthesis course designed to incorporate basic and
clinical science knowledge and skills into evaluation and treatment
of complex patient problems. Emphasis on integration of theory and
practice with application to advanced cases. 2 lec, 3 lab.
Staff; W; Y.
690 Independent Study (1-4, max 12) Supervised study of selected topics in or related to physical therapy.
692 Critical Analysis of Physical Therapy (2)
Prereq: 683. Designed to develop skills necessary for the analysis of
physical therapy education, research, and practice. Emphasis on
aspects of physical therapy evaluation and treatment, both on the
patient and program level. 2 lec.
Staff; W; Y.
695 Research (1-4, max 12) Supervised research in selected topic of interest.
Return to 1995-1997 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents
University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/95-97/areas/psych.html
) April 13, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.cats.ohiou.edu ."