Curriculum and Degree Requirements
See course and clinical experience requirements in KU's three-year, full-time doctorate program in physical therapy.
Over a three-year period in KU's doctoral program in physical therapy at the University of Kansas Medical Center, you'll gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for the field of physical therapy through experiences in the classroom, lab and clinical settings. Explore all the degree requirements below.
July 2024 update: the new hybrid option to our physical therapy program is available.
The program requires a minimum 110 credit hours. Regardless of whether you enroll in the on-campus or hybrid pathway, you'll complete the same curriculum in the same sequence, with the same degree requirements.
The curriculum is provided below. You must maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all KU graduate coursework. For more information, view the curriculum schedule (PDF) and see the academic calendar provided by the Office of the Registrar.
| PTRS 702 | Physical Therapy Documentation and Health Informatics | 1 |
| PTRS 703 | Applied Anatomy | 1 |
| PTRS 704 | Physical Therapy Interventions I | 3 |
| PTRS 705 | Physical Therapy Interventions II | 4 |
| PTRS 710 | Advanced Topics in Human Anatomy | 6 |
| PTRS 711 | Applied Kinesiology and Biomechanics | 4 |
| PTRS 720 | Integrated Clinical Experience I | 1 |
| PTRS 730 | Integrated Clinical Experience II | 1 |
| PTRS 745 | Orthopedic Physical Therapy I | 6 |
| PTRS 746 | Musculoskeletal Conditions and Management | 3 |
| PTRS 750 | Research in Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Practice | 3 |
| PTRS 817 | Ethics in Health Care | 2 |
| PTRS 825 | Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| PTRS 826 | Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy | 5 |
| PTRS 828 | Medical Imaging | 1 |
| PTRS 830 | Integrated Clinical Experience III | 2 |
| PTRS 833 | Pediatric Physical Therapy | 3 |
| PTRS 840 | Integrated Clinical Experience IV | 2 |
| PTRS 845 | Orthopedic Physical Therapy II | 6 |
| PTRS 846 | Orthopedic Physical Therapy III | 3 |
| PTRS 852 | Neurologic Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation I | 6 |
| PTRS 853 | Neurologic Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation II | 6 |
| PTRS 855 | Pharmacology for Physical Therapists | 2 |
| PTRS 860 | Evidence-Based Research Practicum I | 1 |
| PTRS 861 | Evidence-Based Research Practicum II | 1 |
| PTRS 877 | Administration in Physical Therapy | 2 |
| PTRS 882 | Pathophysiology and Physical Therapist Screens | 6 |
| PTRS 890 | Specialties in Physical Therapy Practice | 2 |
| PTRS 920-923 | Full-time Clinical Experiences (option 1 or 2 below) | 24 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 110 |
During the program, you'll participate in 36 weeks of full-time clinical experience for a total of 24 credit hours. During this time, you'll be assigned to one of two scenarios, to fulfill your full-time clinical experiences requirement.
- Scenario 1: Three 12-week full-time clinical experiences across the fall and spring semesters of your third year. You will enroll in two of these experiences in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. The second 12-week clinical experience will bridge across the fall and spring semesters.
- Scenario 2: Four 9-week full-time clinical experiences across the fall and spring semesters of your third year. You will enroll in two of these experiences in the fall semester and two in the spring semester.
International Clinical Experiences
You may also choose an international clinical experience option. Those who elect to pursue an international clinical experience will enroll in PTRS 924 Specialized Clinical Experience as an elective 1-6 credit hour course. You will enroll during the semester you participate in the international clinical experience. The number of credit hours (1-6) for the course is clinic specific and varies by location.
The requirement for 24 total credit hours of full-time clinical experience remains the same for those completing an international clinical experience; however, the total credit hours for either PTRS 920 Full-time Clinical Experience I, PTRS 921 Full-time Clinical Experience II, or PTRS 922 Full-time Clinical Experience III will be decreased by the number of credit hours you are enrolled in PTRS 924 during the semester of the international clinical experience.
The DPT program also requires you to complete a research practicum via PTRS 860 Evidence-Based Research Practicum I and PTRS 861 Evidence-Based Research Practicum II courses.
You must complete the university’s research skills and responsible scholarship requirement prior to the semester you complete your research practicum.
- PTRS 750 Research in Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Practice, PTRS 860 Evidence-Based Research Practicum I, and PTRS 861 Evidence-Based Research Practicum II meet the research skills requirement.
- PTRS 817 Ethics in Health Care meets the responsible scholarship requirement.
** Course schedules are provided for reference only. For complete, current information about courses and requirements in our doctorate program in physical therapy, please visit the KU Academic Catalog.
Vaccines and Clinical Site Requirements
The University of Kansas Medical Center requires various immunizations for its students. For a detailed list please visit the student health forms webpage or speak with Student Health Services. These immunization requirements help promote health and safety and facilitate clinical placement.
Many, if not all, clinical sites who partner with the University of Kansas Medical Center require proof of these vaccines for students engaged in training or other programmatic experiences at clinical sites. Not being vaccinated may preclude students from participating in activities, potentially impeding their ability to complete all program requirements for degree completion. Applicants with questions should speak with a representative from the academic program to which they intend to apply.
Connect with us!
We're here to answer questions and provide assistance as you prepare for an exciting career in physical therapy.
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Advising for prospective students
If you're close to applying to KU's physical therapy degree program and have questions, please contact the department directly at ptrsat@kumc.edu.
High school students and college students in their early undergraduate years of study may contact Alex Lopez, our school's outreach and recruitment specialist, at alopez12@kumc.edu or 913-588-1743 (711 TTY).