Doctor of Physical Therapy

Curriculum

The Columbia University Doctor of Physical Therapy program invites you to explore our unique and innovative curriculum that is completed in 8 academic semesters, which includes clinical education experiences. Students are in class an average of 5 days per week to allow for assimilation and application of new knowledge and provide the time for student self-directed learning activities. 

Students can personalize their educational path through an advanced seminar, electives, and service and experiential learning.

Year 1

Fall Courses

  • Gross Anatomy (7)
  • Applied Physiology (2)
  • Kinesiology & Biomechanics I (4)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice I (2)
  • Examination & Evaluation (3)
  • Evidence-Based Practice I (2)

Total Credits: 20

Spring Courses

  • Neuroscience (4)
  • Kinesiology & Biomechanics II (3) 
  • Physical Therapy Procedures (3)
  • Clinical Education Seminar I (1)
  • Medical Screening I (2) (½ semester)
  • Movement Science (2) (½ semester)
  • Concepts in Therapeutic Exercise (2)  (½ semester)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions I (2)  (½ semester)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice II (2) (½ semester)
  • Evidence-Based Practice II (2)​​ (½ semester)

Possible Elective:

  • Management of the Running Athlete (1)

Total Credits: 23 (plus electives)

Summer Courses

  • Physical Modalities (1)
  • Soft Tissue Mobilization (1)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions II (3)
  • Clinical Geriatrics (2)
  • Medical Screening II (1)

Total Credits: 8

Year 2

Fall Courses

PART A: 

  • Clinical Education Seminar II (1)
  • PT Management of Cardiopulmonary Conditions (3)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions III (3)
  • PT Management of the Adult with Neurological Conditions I (3)
  • Orthotics (2) 

PART B:

  • First Clinical Education Experience (0)

Possible Elective:

  • Research Practicum I (1)

Total credits: 12 (plus electives)

Spring Courses

  • Clinical Education Seminar III (1)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice III (2)
  • PT Management of Orthopedic Conditions IV (4)
  • PT Management of the Adult with Neurological Conditions II (5)
  • PT Management of Pediatric Conditions (4)
  • PT Management of Integumentary Impairments (½ semester) (2)
  • Prosthetics (½ semester) (2)    

                           
Possible Electives:

  • Service Learning (1)
  • Research Practicum II (1)
  • Management of the Running Athlete (1)

Total credits: 20 (plus electives)

Summer Courses

  • Intermediate Clinical Education Experience II (0)

Total Credits: 0

Year 3

Fall Courses

  • Clinical Education Seminar IV (1)
  • Professional Leadership & Practice IV (2)
  • PT Management of Cardiopulmonary Conditions II (2)                                            
  • Complex Medical Conditions (2)      

Students Select 1 Advanced Seminar Course (4):            

  • Orthopedics                                                               
  • Adult Neuro-Rehabilitation                                    
  • Pediatrics


Possible Electives:

  • Research Practicum III (1) 
  • Management of the Running Athlete
  • Medical Spanish
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation
  • Pelvic Health Rehabilitation
  • Sports Rehabilitation
  • Hand, Wrist & Elbow Rehabilitaion
  • Foot & Ankle Rehabilitation
  • Cervicogenic Pain & Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
  • PT Management of the Performing Artist
  • Teaching Practicum: Laboratory
  • Teaching Practicum: Small Groups
  • Research Practicum III
  • Yoga Integrated in Physical Therapy Practice
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • CancerFIT
  • Topics in Cardiopulmonary
     

Total credits: 11 (plus electives)

Spring Course(s)

  • Terminal Clinical Education Experience(s) (0)

Program Strengths

  1. Student Body - Our classes are ethnically diverse, with students from numerous states and undergraduate and graduate institutions show a wide variety of individual and dual undergraduate and graduate majors. Students who take the research elective have presented at national meetings, have published with their faculty mentors, and have been nominated for scientific and research poster awards. See About Us: Who We Are.
  2. Faculty - The program faculty is both seasoned and contemporary, with an average of 11 years teaching at Columbia. They provide a deep, broad, and challenging education directly linked to their own pursuit of excellence and commitment to teaching. The faculty has been listed, first and foremost, on Year I, Year II, and Year III surveys as “knowledgeable professors who care about students’ learning experiences, their openness to effect change and the feeling of family that outweighs the difficulty of the curriculum.”
  3. Curriculum - Sequencing of courses around the seven domains of learning. Development of advanced topic courses, teaching and research practicums, and electives allowing students to take ownership of their own learning to meet their individualized goals in more focused areas of practice.
  4. Clinical Education Experiences - Breadth and depth of clinical affiliation sites, nationwide and abroad.
  5. Resources