First Year-First Semester
HPS 405 Anatomy
This foundational science is a detailed study of bony landmarks and musculoskeletal system of the human body, which underlay physical therapy assessment and intervention. Gross anatomy includes examination of the anterior and posterior abdominal wall, superficial and deep back muscles, lower extremities, head and neck, upper extremities, and thoracic organs. The histological structure and development of the musculoskeletal, connective tissue, integumentary, vascular and respiratory systems is examined.
6 credits
PTH 407 Physiology of Rehabilitation
The physiology of the neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, and renal systems is the focus of this class. Special emphasis is given to the functions of the neurological and musculoskeletal systems during exercise and motor control. Intermediary metabolism is presented in terms of the conversion of chemical energy to mechanical and heat energy during exercise. Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport in healthy and sedentary/pathology subjects are presented in relationship to diffusion capacity, blood flow changes, work capacity, and training adaptations. Special attention is given to the response of the heart during exercise and blood pressure changes. The pulmonary and renal regulation of total body acid-base will also be a focus of this course.
3 credits
PTH 409 Kinesiology and Pathomechanics
This course covers the study of joint and muscle function applying the principles of biomechanics and motion to both normal and pathological populations including gait and gait analysis, posture and posture analysis. Students compare pathological movement to normal and analyze the probable causes. Laboratory study includes palpation of surface anatomy, application of biomechanical theory and muscle function to normal and pathological movement. Students will receive an introduction to manual therapy including non-thrust techniques to the extremities and spine.
4 credits
PTH 411 LAMP I
This introductory course stresses transcurricular components of Leadership, Administration, Management, and Practice (LAMP). Because this is a first-semester, first-year course, all elements are introduced to provide students the knowledge to integrate skills learned into the remainder of the curriculum. The components are covered under the major areas of communication (written and oral), teaching/education in physical therapy, research and professionalism.
4 credits
PTH 413 Musculoskeletal Assessment I
This course focuses on examination of muscle strength through manual muscle testing and joint range of motion through goniometry. Students learn to identify impairments by comparing the results of their examination to normal values. Students apply their examination results to evaluate problems that can occur from limited motion and muscle strength.
1 credit
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First Year-Second Semester
PTH 434 Neuroscience
This course is a detailed study of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The course will cover the basic gross anatomy, cell biology, physiology, development and support systems of the nervous system. Motor, sensory and autonomic systems will be covered, along with the effects of injury to these systems. The course will finish with the study of specific regions of the nervous system, examining their specific functions and the impairments seen after an injury.
3 credits
PTH 438 Procedural Interventions I
The course emphasizes the theory, indications, contraindications, clinical decision making, and the safe application of physical agents including heat, cold, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, traction, compression, and soft tissue mobilization. Students will also have the opportunity to practice physical agents in a clinical setting.
4 credits
PTH 442 Pathophysiology
This course introduces students to pathological conditions as they relate to differential diagnosis in physical therapy. Normal and pathological functioning of the major systems of the body will be covered, including the endocrine, cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, nervous, gastrointestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, urinary tract, integumentary, musculoskeletal, fluid and hemodynamic, hematopoietic, respiratory, visual, auditory and vestibular systems. Course content also covers cell pathology, tumors, knowledge of common pathological conditions, and recognition of when musculoskeletal symptoms may be related to systematic diseases.
3 credits
PTH 450 Pharmacology
This course covers the basics of pharmacology for physical therapists. The course includes the basis of pharmaco-therapeutics, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Drugs will be studied according to the uses for common pathological conditions with an emphasis on normal and pathological physiology, common drugs used for a condition, their mechanism of action, common adverse effects, and specific points of interest to physical therapy. Student learning activities include lectures, case studies, and a paper examining in detail a drug or dietary supplement.
3 credits
PTH 462 Musculoskeletal Assessment II
The course is an introduction to orthopedic evaluation skills in neuro-musculoskeletal assessment. Emphasis is on basic evaluation techniques in orthopedic and manual physical therapy with an introduction to special test diagnostic accuracy and interpretation. It provides the foundation for selection of appropriate assessment and treatment planning in orthopedics. Students learn an algorithm approach to screening, examination, and evaluation which all involve a critical thinking process to establish an orthopedic impairment based physical therapy diagnosis.
3 credits
PTH 475 Integrated Clinical Education Experience I
This course, which occurs in the spring of the first year and continues during the fall of the second year, allows students the opportunity to practice skills gained during the professional program. Under the guidance and supervision of PT faculty, first-year students will spend time at both the University of Mary and the United Tribes Technical College pro bono clinics. First-year students will team with second year to provide service to patients with neuromusculo-skeletal, cardiopulmonary, and integumentary conditions. In addition, students will put into practice self and peer assessment, evidence based care, and professionalism.
1 credit
First Year-May/June
PTH 530 Introduction to Client Management
This course prepares the student in the principles of body mechanics and safety precautions, transfers of patients, positioning and draping, wheelchair fitting and mobility, ambulation with assistive devices, architectural barriers and the Americans with Disabilities Act, infection control, bandaging, initial wound care, and introduction to orthotic devices.
1 credit
PTH 537 Procedural Interventions II
This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of therapeutic exercise including active and passive range of motion, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, stretching, manual therapy including thrust and non-thrust techniques, strengthening, and aerobic exercises, strengthening, and aerobic exercises. 4 hours lecture.
3 credits
PTH 555 Physical Assessment
This course implements the psychomotor and clinical decision making skills of physical screening, examination, and evaluation for the neurological, lymphatic, HEENT, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and integumentary systems. The concept of differentia diagnosis and responsibility to conduct medical screening will be addressed through appropriate identification, selection, and prioritization of clinical signs and systems. The course prepares students for their primary care role by increasing their ability to evaluate and interpret system assessment data while determining the parameters to refer and treat.
3 credits
PTH 560 LAMP II
This course prepares students to be successful in their first clinical internship and covers topics such as regulatory and legal issues in health care specific to physical therapists including supervision rules, reimbursement, HIPAA, clinical education assessment and conflict resolution. In addition, students will prepare for their first clinical experience by completing necessary paperwork, immunizations, and background checks.
2 credits
First Year-July/August
PTH 501 Clinical Education I
(8 week clinical education experience)
This first full-time internship occurs in July-August after the first academic year and primarily occurs in the settings of acute, outpatient orthopedic, or rural sites in order to allow students the opportunity to master skills gained throughout the first year. By the end of the experience, and with the assistance of the clinical instructor, students will demonstrate the ability to perform and document a comprehensive patient examination; develop a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care; and complete interventions included in the plan of care of a non-complex patient.
6 credits
Second Year-First Semester
PTH 612 Orthopedic Management I
This course emphasizes the patient/client clinical management following a thorough examination, evaluation, and differential diagnosis of neuromusculoskeletal impairments. Particular emphasis is placed on the prognosis, intervention, and outcomes of neuromusculoskeletal conditions for conservative and post-operative orthopedic conditions of the upper and lower extremities. Additionally, the advanced evaluation and intervention through manual therapy are addressed including soft tissue and joint mobilization/manipulation including intersegmental relationships involving thrust and non-thrust techniques of the spine, upper and lower extremities. This course also exposes the students to the medical management of selected orthopedic conditions through the perspective of area physicians and clinicians.
5 credits
PTH 615 Clinical Inquiry I
The course presents the components of a plan for the student’s research topic, the Research Proposal. The student selects a research topic related to physical therapy practice; students then provide background and justification for the topic, and a plan for data collection and analysis in a written proposal. The proposal is presented to peers and faculty as an oral presentation. The course also includes a case-based statistical analysis laboratory in which the student writes the hypotheses for the cases, performs the appropriate statistical analysis, and writes the conclusion in terms of applying the results to practice. Principles of research design are also studied in relationship to appropriate statistical analyses and application to clinical practice. Ethical considerations of authorship, the protection of subjects’ rights, and the institutional review process are also presented using a case-based approach.
2 credits
PTH 623 Motor Control
This course consists of the issues and theories of motor control and motor learning and the beginning process of neurological rehabilitation. Students will build on their knowledge of physiology of motor control by applying this knowledge to clinical practice. Included in the course is the theory of Motor Control and its relationship to neuroanatomy, normal postural and motor control throughout the lifespan; abnormal motor control, gait and gait analysis and neurological assessment.
4 credits
PTH 627 Psychosocial Management
The course addresses the psychological and psychosocial problems associated with chronic disease, traumatic injury and being in the “patient role.” It includes didactic and student presentations of his or her experience and evaluation of an interview with a person with a disability.
2 credits
PTH 631 Cardiopulmonary Management I
This course presents the central and peripheral cardiovascular system in a cellular through system format. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation, screening, and diagnosis regarding impairment and function. Use of the pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analysis, oximetry, expired gas analysis, and electrocardiogram for baseline testing and subsequent monitoring is presented to include both test performance and clinical utilization. Focus is on recognition, interpretation, clinical utilization and application of examination data.
3 credits
PTH 635 Integumentary Management
This course emphasizes the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, plan of care, and intervention of wounds as well as amputation/prosthetic care. The student synthesizes the knowledge of the disease process with rehabilitation management. The student collaborates with health care professionals to gain hands-on experiences working with patients with wounds and amputations.
2 credits
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Second Year-Second Semester
HPS 602 Service Oriented Leadership Experience
(elective for students traveling to Guatemala)
This course prepares students to embark on a voluntary service-learning experience in Guatemala during the fall semester of the third year. Beginning with a broad view of cultural competency in the healthcare setting, students will then narrow the scope to specifically discuss social-political issues in Guatemala, as well as the history and mission of the project they will be working with during their experience. Students will engage in independent study and reading, group discussion, peer presentations, and self-reflection.
1 credit
PTH 613 Orthopedic Management II
This course establishes an evidence based practice approach for patient/client management of disorders related to the spine and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Emphasis is placed on the examination, evaluation, and differential diagnosis of these disorders. This course also exposes the students to the medical management of orthopedic conditions through the perspective of area physicians. Special attention is placed on the workplace management of the occupational health disorders including ergonomics, work hardening/work conditioning and functional capacity evaluations. Laboratory study includes advanced evaluation and intervention of therapeutic exercise and manual therapy including thrust and non-thrust techniques of the spine and TMJ.
4 credits
PTH 624 Neurological Management
This course includes the concepts and principles in the examination, evaluation and ethical and collaborative treatment and care plan of the adult neurologically involved client. Students use case studies to manage various neurological conditions and use simulated conditions to develop therapeutic techniques for use in treatment of such conditions.
3 credits
PTH 632 Cardiopulmonary Management II
The student, already having a solid knowledge base of the cardiopulmonary system and assessment techniques (PTH 631), will be advancing their intervention and management strategies for a patient population having impaired pulmonary and cardiac function. Guidelines involving cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs and secondary prevention programs will be augmented as per the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The course is divided into two major segments: Cardiac and Pulmonary Disease Management. The majority of the training will occur outside of the classroom with health care professionals treating patients in a variety of clinical settings and involving a multidisciplinary approach.
3 credits
PTH 638 Pediatric Management
Pediatric Physical Therapy is a course covering abnormal physical and motor development, common pediatric conditions, therapeutic theory and technique, adaptive equipment and devices, synthesis of knowledge into management of a pediatric condition, ethics, and collaboration with other professionals for development of a plan of care. There is no lab for this course; however students are expected to do the equivalent of one credit of outside lab work, which includes pediatric assessment, observation, and the family mentoring project.
3 credits
PTH 644 Geriatric Management
This course provides information on current issues that impact health care delivery for the older adult population. Theory of normal aging processes, sociocultural, environmental factors, psychosocial issues, and systemic changes are discussed in relation to health promotion, prevention and wellness, optimal daily function, and quality of life. Collaboration with other health care providers, the community, and family resources are addressed. The Benedictine values, particularly respect for person and hospitality are stressed as essential to the development of a therapeutic environment. A service learning component is included to offer the student a "hands-on" opportunity to work with an elderly person while developing a relationship with and assisting the person to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
3 credits
PTH 675 Integrated Clinical Experience II
This course allows students the opportunity to practice skills gained during the professional program. Under the guidance and supervision of PT faculty, students will spend time at both the University of Mary and the United Tribes Technical College pro bono clinics. In addition, students will practice clinical teaching skills by mentoring first-year students. Students will also engage in administrative duties by managing all aspects of the clinic; and will collaborate with their peers on committees that perform marketing, billing, scheduling, quality assurance, policies and procedures, and budgeting.
1 credit
Second Year-May/June
PTH 700 Clinical Education II
(8 weeks clinical education experience)
This eight-week full-time clinical internship provides students opportunity to practice and gain further experience in content areas of advanced orthopedics, neurological rehabilitation, pediatrics, manual therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, rural or burn/wound therapy. The student should be near entry-level at the conclusion of this internship.
6 credits
Second Year July/August
PTH 751 Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic imaging covers the identification of normal and abnormal radiographic findings in spine and extremity injuries. Principles regarding clinical prediction rules (CPR’s) for imaging, identification and recognition of appropriate views isolating specific lesions, and understanding of the ABC’s approach to interpret findings will be emphasized. In addition, advanced imaging modalities including MRI, CT-Scan, ultrasound, and bone scans as they apply to physical therapy will be introduced.
1 credit
PTH 815 Clinical Inquiry II
The students will organize and present case studies of selected patients from their second clinical education experience (May/June second year). The student will compose his/her research manuscript during this course; make a 15-minute oral presentation at the Annual Allied Health Scholarship Colloquium (the end of Spring semester third year).
2 credits
PTH 821 Manual Therapy
This course involves an evidence based eclectic approach to incorporating various manual therapy techniques into the management of musculoskeletal conditions. This course includes topics on the McKenzie approach, Strain and Counterstrain, Mobilization with Movement, Muscle Energy Techniques, and Soft Tissue Mobilization techniques to management of spine and extremity dysfunction. This course will emphasize mastering a basic skill set of hands-on traditional manual therapy techniques including thrust and non-thrust techniques in a laboratory setting.
3 credits
ELECTIVES
(CHOOSE 1 OF : PTH 823, 827, or 829)
PTH 823 Sports Medicine Elective
This course covers advanced sports injury concepts with special emphasis involving traumatic injury examination with on field injury management. Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to work in this specialized area of sports medicine include taping, bracing, injury prevention, spine injury, spinal immobilization, head injury assessment, sports equipment evaluation, integumentary management, biomechanical analysis, return to sports testing, and nutrition. The purpose of the elective is to provide the physical therapist student with an opportunity to develop beginning skill sets in sports physical therapy while advancing their competency in the management of both on and off-field athletic injuries.
3 credits
Third Year-First Semester
PTH 801 Leadership and Professionalism III
This course emphasizes the Leadership and Professionalism aspects of LAMP (leadership, administration, management, and professionalism). Students explore and experience leadership and professionalism as they become more familiar with the broader health care environment and the controversial issues relating to the physical therapist profession. Included topics are physical therapists as consultants, clinical educators, agents of change via legislation and the APTA House of Delegates. Included in this course is the option of an experience in a Third World country or a local service learning project.
3 credits
PTH 803 Administration & Management LAMP IV
In this course, students study the healthcare system and the role of the Physical Therapist in the health care system. Students examine various payment systems and their impact on the health care delivery. Students explore different personal management styles, human resource management, financial management, and program development. They will learn record keeping, liability, malpractice, consultation, and professional communication. Additional ethical, legal, and practice issues will also be discussed throughout the course. Emphasis will be placed on developing and managing an autonomous physical therapy practice in multiple settings.
4 credits
PTH 805 Advanced Patient Management
This class is a problem based capstone class for physical therapy management of patient cases. Special emphasis will be placed on screening for differential diagnosis, management of comorbidities, and integration of other diagnostic information. Students will work in groups with a faculty mentor to develop an evidenced based management plan based on their interpretation of screening and examination. They will synthesize the information and develop a management plan, which includes all aspects of patient care. Students also present a case study from their summer clinical education experience. Finally, students will complete a self study in differential diagnosis with regular testing. Lab and written comprehensive testing is included in this course. The service learning portion of this course will be to serve as lab instructors for beginning anatomy and kinesiology courses.
6 credits
PTH 827 Women’s Health Elective
This course further prepares students for practice in women’s health. A variety of women’s health conditions will be studied in greater depth and students will practice examination and intervention techniques. Students will be introduced to pelvicfloor examination and intervention. In addition, students will be exposed to other aspects of women’s health patient care management including marketing, reimbursement, and professional development. This elective is considered beyond entry-level.
3 credits
PTH 829 Pediatric Elective
This course will further prepare students for practice in pediatrics. Pediatric pathological conditions will be studied in greater depth in the area of assessment, treatment, and outcomes. Students work with children who have neurological, orthopedic, and coordination pathologies and further study normal development.
3 credits
Third Year-Second Semester
PTH 850.1 & 850.2
Clinical Education III and IV
(2 experiences at 8 weeks each)
The final two eight-week clinical experiences continue to progress the student to entry level in the management of patients throughout the lifespan and throughout various patient care settings.The placements round out the student’s clinical experiences so that the student will have had practice in four diverse settings.The student must be at entry level at the completion of these experiences in order to graduate from the program.
12 credits
