Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of the Incarnate Word is a 29-month program that consists of a combination of small group learning, didactic and clinical courses, plus the opportunity to participate in community outreach, which prepares students to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and embark on a career dedicated to helping others.

Our Learning Approach

The Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy program uses a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, which places the student in a position of active responsibility for learning and mastering content. Students work in small groups with close faculty guidance and engage and solve problems in the form of clinical patient cases of growing complexity. Rather than listening to a lecture on a given topic (teacher-centered learning), students are presented with a patient case which typically integrates previously learned information with a great deal of new content. The group must come to consensus about the knowledge needed in order to manage the patient case. They do this by developing “learning issues” or topics which represent questions about the case. On an individual basis, students then research the topics by using textbooks, review articles, peer-reviewed research and electronic data bases. Our students become skillful at searching databases, critically reviewing the evidence and synthesizing information from a variety of sources.

Later in the week, students regroup to discuss their findings and apply them to the patient case at hand. Rather than lecturing, the faculty member facilitates discussion and asks questions to ascertain that students are learning the material to the appropriate breadth and depth required of an entry level physical therapist. Carefully crafted scenarios are the "anchors" around which other content is taught. The curriculum includes extensive laboratory experiences, as well as special topic seminars to support knowledge acquisition.

  1. Based on the pathophysiology of his disease process, what precautions would be important when treating this patient?
  2. How would the patient's emotional status influence the plan of care?
  3. How might the patient's medications influence the outcome of the intervention?
  4. What tests and measures might be appropriate for the patient given their current status

Through the PBL process, students are learning how to ask questions and to explore the answers. They do this by developing "learning issues" or topics which represent questions about the case. On an individual basis, students then research the topics by using textbooks, review articles, peer-reviewed research and electronic data bases. Later in the week, students regroup to discuss their findings and apply them to the patient case at hand. Rather than lecturing, the faculty member facilitates discussion and asks questions to ascertain that students are learning the material to the appropriate breadth and depth required of an entry level physical therapist. Carefully crafted scenarios are the "anchors" around which other content is taught. The curriculum includes extensive laboratory experiences (Patient/Client Management and Foundational Sciences) as well as special topic seminars (Professional Topics) which complement and reinforce content learned in PBL sessions.

Students become skillful at searching for and critically analyzing the evidence, and synthesizing information from a variety of sources. Since group members are dependent on each other for enriching discussion and subsequent learning, each student must participate in the tutorial sessions, whether by volunteering information, asking questions, seeking clarification, confirming the thoughts of a peer or relating information to the patient case. Inherent in the PBL process, students learn how to function as individual members of a team, conferring for the greater good (learning the material/treating the patient). Students also have an opportunity to evaluate the participation skills of their classmates (preparation, clinical reasoning, quality of learning resources, team skills and respective listening) and themselves, in written and oral formats. This teaches critical reflection and the skills of providing/receiving constructive criticism.

RSA animation (published on Oct 14, 2010) adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award.

 

Preparation for Licensing Exam

University of the Incarnate Word FSBPT school code: 4444

In addition to having successfully completed an entry level Doctor of Physical Therapy program, physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) governed by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). They must also comply with individual state licensing board requirements. A complete content outline of the NPTE is available online.

Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate can sit for the NPTE four (4) times each year (January, April, July, and October). They must apply to the state they intend to work in and receive approval prior to taking the examination.

Preparation for the Licensing Examination

UIW SRS conducts ongoing assessment of the curriculum and examination of contemporary clinical practice to ensure that its graduates are well prepared for being successful on the licensing examination. To facilitate familiarization with the testing style and the examination itself, the SRS provides opportunities for the students to take a mock licensure exam at least twice during the course of the program. It also hosts a national physical therapy exam preparation workshop prior to graduation.