Physical Therapy (DPT)

Pitt Doctor of Physical Therapy graduates are well prepared to enter the workforce. The hybrid and on-campus options offer students the same didactic education complemented by clinical experience that includes 42 weeks of full-time immersive and hands-on experience.

While the didactic portion of the program is designed around one common curriculum, the on-campus and hybrid options allow for the unique delivery of and engagement with course content.

The curriculum is designed to emphasize early and intensive integration of Pitt students into the clinical environment throughout their time in the program.

Focus Areas

Students engage in interactive learning, labs and coursework that equip graduates to become leading experts in providing efficient and effective patient-centered care. Core areas of study include:

• Musculoskeletal
• Neuromuscular
• Integumentary
• Cardiopulmonary
• Geriatrics
• Evidence-based practice
• Professional development and leadership

Curriculum Milestones

Community Engagement

Community engagement is a required graduation milestone that reflects the APTA Core Value of Social Responsibility and the Department of Physical Therapy mission and vision focused on equitable, inclusive community service. DPT students engage with communities across the country to address identified needs, understand how social and environmental contexts affect health and grow as future health care professionals. Faculty provide guidance and support throughout these experiences.

DPT students are required to join the virtual Student Service Board Community Engagement Activities Fair during their Fall 1 term. Students must also participate in two (2) unique community engagement experiences that are self selected based on a community need(s) and their own personal and professional interests.

Interprofessional Education

Interprofessional education is also a required graduation milestone that prepares DPT students for collaborative practice. Students participate in structured events where they learn alongside other health professions to develop teamwork and communication skills that support patient-centered care. Faculty guidance is available throughout the program.

Students are required to participate in three (3) pre-scheduled events, offered virtually.

1. Interprofessional Forum (Term 1)
2. PT/PA- Understanding the Referral Process (Term 3)
3. The Caregiver as a Member of the Health care Team (Term 5)

Clinical Education

Students begin clinical education during the second term in the program and end with 30 consecutive weeks of clinical education after the didactic plan of study.

Through extensive clinical placements, students gain hands-on experiences in well renowned medical and rehabilitation centers.

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Hands-on Lab Experiences for Hybrid Option Students

Each of the first five semesters of the hybrid option will include integrated intensive immersion laboratory experiences that are held on-campus. The immersions allow for the practice and mastery of the psychomotor and clinical decision-making skills necessary for examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and assessment of outcomes. Immersions (two per term, lasting six to nine days) will be structured to provide the laboratory experiences and competency assessments associated with the courses that students are currently taking.

Learn more about the hybrid immersions.

Terms 6 and 7 are full-time terminal clinical educational experiences and will not require laboratory immersions.