Ann K. Williams, Chair

The professional program in physical therapy grants a Master of Science degree in physical therapy. See the Graduate Catalog for details of this program. The following section describes the profession and the pre professional requirements and application procedures.

The professional program in physical therapy grants two degrees: the Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) And Master of Science in Physical Therapy (M.S.) degree. Beginning autumn 2001 students have a choice of a 25 month M.S. program or a 33 month D.P.T. program. The following section describes the profession and the pre-professional requirements and application procedures. This information also is available on the program website at www.umt.edu/pt.

The Profession

Physical Therapy is a health care profession concerned with the habilitation and rehabilitation of individuals having limitations resulting from pathological, surgical, or traumatic conditions. The profession is also concerned with prevention of disability in an effort to promote maximal use of an individual's capacities. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorders. Exercise and physical agents, such as heat, cold, light, electricity, and massage are used to promote healing, relieve pain, maintain or restore strength, and improve joint range of motion and functional capabilities. Physical therapists play key roles in: 1) the physical therapy diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, 2) wellness and injury prevention, 3) rehabilitating injured workers to return to their jobs, 4) rehabilitating senior citizens after debilitating disease to enable them to remain independent 5) helping handicapped children to live within the least restrictive environment, 6) preventing and treating sports related injuries, and 7) conducting research in the basic and clinical sciences. Knowledge of the psychological and social ramifications of disability affecting the individual and his or her family is an integral part of physical therapy intervention.

Physical therapy is practiced in diversified settings, including hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine programs, public schools, and private practices. Legislation in Montana permits direct public access to physical therapists for evaluation and treatment without a physician referral. Even so, physical therapists remain committed to functioning as an integral member of the health care team.
The physical therapy educational program at The University of Montana seeks to prepare physical therapists who have a broad base of skills upon graduation, and who will be able to implement physical therapy services in many settings, especially rural environments. Rural settings require a physical therapist to serve not only as a provider of direct patient care, but to fulfill the roles of administrator, supervisor, teacher, consultant, and researcher. Students successfully completing the professional program meet the competencies for physical therapy as determined by the Commission on Accreditation in Education of the American Physical Therapy Association, receive either a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree or a Master of Science degree, and are prepared for state licensure.

The Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association for the period 2001-2008.

High School Preparation: back to top

Specific high school courses are not required but a background is recommended in mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, English, and other communication skills.

Pre-Professional Physical Therapy Curriculum and Application Process

Students wishing to apply to the professional physical therapy program at The University of Montana Missoula may select any major as their undergraduate major. While pre physical therapy is not a degree granting major at the University, prospective applicants should list pre professional physical therapy (PPPT) as their second major. This will allow them also to receive advising from the Physical Therapy Department in order to assure adequate preparation for the professional program. In addition to completing a baccalaureate degree, applicants must take the following prerequisite courses and meet the additional application requirements listed following:

All prerequisite courses should be taken for a traditional letter grade and must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00) or better.

Prerequisite Courses and Credits

Biological Sciences: Students should note that these courses may require prerequisites, also. Four semesters to include:

-one semester of microbiology
-one semester of human anatomy
one semester of human physiology (One year of sequential courses combining human anatomy and physiology are acceptable. Comparative vertebrate anatomy may be substituted for human anatomy.)
-one semester of upper division vertebrate physiology (Course must be offered by a biology, zoology, or physiology department.)

Chemistry: two semesters of general chemistry with laboratory
Physics: two semesters of general physics with laboratory
Statistics: one semester of statistics
Exercise Physiology: one semester of exercise physiology with laboratory
Social Sciences: four semester courses in the social sciences. (Must include abnormal psychology and one course in sociology. Two additional courses may include courses in ethics, communication sciences, social anthropology, psychology, sociology, or courses in cultural diversity.)
Humanities: two semester courses to include English composition or writing course and public speaking

Certification in Advanced First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Computer literacy is assumed.

Suggested Prerequisite Courses at The University of Montana-Missoula

BIOL 106N Elementary Medical Microbiology	3
BIOL 212N 213N Anatomy/Physiology	8
BIOL 460 Medical Physiology	3
CHEM 151N 152N, 154N General Chemistry and Laboratory	3
PHYS 121N-122N General Physics	10
HHP 377-378 Exercise Physiology	4
ENEX 101 English Composition	3
COMM 111A Introduction to Public Speaking	2
PSYC 100S Introduction to Psychology	4
SOC 110S Principles of Sociology	3
PSYC 330S Abnormal Psychology	3
PSYC 240S, PSYC 350S, PSYC 351, SOC 220, COMM 202, COMM 220, COMM 240, PHIL 200E, PHIL 421E, PHIL 43E, ANTH 220H, ANTH 323, or ANTH328	3
MATH 241 Statistics	4
HHP 289 Advanced First Aid/CPR.
Computer literacy required.

Additional Requirements for Application back to top

Because the professional program is sequential, students must enter the program in the autumn semester of the first professional year.

Application forms and information about admissions policies for the professional program are available from the Physical Therapy Department, Skaggs Building. All applicants also must apply to the Graduate School of The University of Montana Missoula. Application fees are required for both applications.

The application form and the supporting documents for admission to the first professional year must be forwarded directly to the Chair, Student Selection Committee, Physical Therapy Department, no later than January 15, preceding the autumn semester of the year for which admission is requested.

Some preference will be given to Montana resident students. To be considered for admission, an applicant must have obtained a cumulative grade average of at least 2.75 (on a four point scale) in all college courses for which the applicant has registered, as well as a minimum of 3.00 in the required pre professional courses. To qualify as a resident applicant, the student must be a Montana resident on the closing date for submission of the application for admission.

In addition to these requirements, applicants must demonstrate an appreciation and knowledge of the practical duties and responsibilities of the physical therapist through direct exposure in a variety of clinical settings (a minimum of 80 hours of work or observation under the direct supervision of a physical therapist before application).

After completed applications have been received, the Selection Committee will screen the applications based on grade average in required courses, overall grade average, GRE scores, stated purpose, physical therapy experience and letters of recommendation. Based upon the results of this screening, only those applicants who appear best qualified will be invited for a personal interview.

Although an invitation to appear for interview does not assure the applicant a place in the class, the final selection will be made from those interviewed. All applicants will be notified in writing of their status.

All applicants to the program must submit GRE scores.

Professional Physical Therapy Program

Beginning autumn 2201 students entering the professional physical therapy program have a choice of a 33 month D.P.T. program or a 25 month M.S. program. The 25 month M.S. program is projected to be phased out during the period of 2003 to 2006. Enrollment is limited to 32 students in each class.

Refer to the tuition and fee schedules for additional tuition and fees charged to students in the Professional
Physical Therapy Program.

Special Degree Requirements back to top

Once admitted into the Professional Physical Therapy Program, all students must achieve a 2.00 (C) grade or higher (or a Pass, in Pass/No Pass courses) in all required courses in the physical therapy curriculum. Because courses in the curriculum are sequential, a student who fails to achieve a 2.00 (C) grade (or a Pass, in Pass/No Pass courses) in any course will not be allowed to continue in the next semester of the professional program. The student must retake the course at the next offering. Consistent with the policies of the Graduate School, students must maintain a minimum 3.00 grade average while in the professional program. Students who do not maintain this average will be on academic probation and must achieve the 3.00 grade average in order to graduate. Students who fail to progress in the expected manner for two consecutive years will be dismissed from the Physical Therapy Program subject to review by the Academic Requirements Committee and the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. Students also must comply with all department academic and professional conduct policies as outlined in the
Physical Therapy Department Student Handbook.

Because the program is academically intense, and because courses may be offered at various times during the day, evening and on Saturday, employment is not recommended. All students enrolled in th program are expected to maintain a full time academic course load (minimum of 12 semester credits) during each semester of the program.

Professional Physical Therapy Curriculum

First Professional Year	A	S
PT 464 Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology	4	-
PT 465 Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology Laboratory	1	-
PT 503 Physical Therapy and Health Care Issues	4	-
PT 516 Musculoskeletal Evaluation I	5	-
PT 519 Musculoskeletal Evaluation II	-	5
PT 520 Human Motor Development Through the Life Span	-	2
PT 526 Physical Therapy Interventions I	5	-
PT 527 Electrotherapy	-	2
PT 528 Physical Therapy Interventions II	-	4
PT 536 Neurosciences	-	5
PT 560 Introduction to Research	-	1
PT 582 Clinical Experience I	-	1
Total	19	20
Summer Session
PT 587 Clinical Internship I	4
Second Professional Year
PT 525 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology	-	4
PT 561 Research in Physical Therapy	2	-
PT 562 Scholarly Project I	1	-
PT 563 Cardiopulmonary PT and Pharmacology	2	-
PT 565 Physical Therapy for Children	2	-
PT 566 Advanced Anatomy Laboratory	(1)	(1)
PT 567 Neurorehabilitation	2	-
PT 568 Neurorehabilitation II	-	2
PT 569 Orthopedic Physical Therapy I	2	-
PT 570 Psychology of Illness and Disability	2	-
PT 571 Scholarly Project II (M.S. only)	-	2
PT 572 Practice and Administration	-	2
PT 573 Orthopedic Physical Therapy II	-	1
PT 575 Physical Therapy Interventions III	-	3
PT 576 Synthesis of Clinical Evaluation and Intervention (M.S. only)	-	1
PT 588 Clinical Internship II	4	-
PT 671 Scholarly Project II (D.P.T. only)	-	2
Total	17-18	17-18
Summer Session
PT 589 Clinical Internship III (M.S. and D.P.T.)	5
PT 590 Clinical Internship IV (M.S. only)	5

The third year of coursework for the D.P.T. degree includes advanced coursework in wellness and prevention, primary care, management, research, education, and clinical sciences as well as additional clinical internship requirements. Graduation occurs in May of the third year.

Total credits required for graduation M.S.:	86
Total credits required for graduation D.P.T.	110

Courses back to top

U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G= for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.

UG 464 Applied Clinical Anatomy and Kinesiology 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., course in human anatomy and consent of instr. Anatomy of the neuromusculoskeletal system and body cavities in relation to movement, function and clinical correlates.
UG 465 Applied Clinical Anatomy and Kinesiology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 464. Clinical applications of PT 464.
UG 482 Measurement and Modalities 3 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 464, 465 or consent of instr. Physiology, indications, contraindications, and application of physical agents; manual muscle testing, and goniometry.
UG 483 Measurement and Modalities Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 464, 465 or consent of instr. Clinical applications of PT 482.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-4) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-12) Offered intermittently.
G 503 Physical Therapy and the Health Care System 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. An introduction to physical therapy and its relationship to the health care system. Topics include introduction to the PT literature, medical terminology, medical records, communication, ethics, and professional issues in physical therapy.
G 516 Musculoskeletal Evaluation I 5 cr. Offered autumn. Principles of physical therapy musculoskeletal evaluation including pathology, patient interviews, measurement of ROM, strength, special tests.
G 519 Musculoskeletal Evaluation II 5 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 516. Continuation of PT 516. Physical therapy musculoskeletal evaluation including screening and functional evaluation.
G 520 Motor Development Through the Life Span 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 464, 465 and consent of instr. Process-based learning course covering human motor development including pediatrics and geriatrics and a review of geriatric care programs. Clinical problems are completed in small groups..
G 525 Clinical Medicine, Pharmacology, and Exercise Prescription 4 cr. Offered spring. Pathology, evaluation, differential diagnosis, pharmacology, management of oncological, endocrine, metabolic, GI, renal, and immunological pathology. Application of therapeutic exercise principles to programs for people with chronic diseases physical disability.
G 526 Physical Therapy Interventions I 5 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 516. Basic principles of therapeutic exercise, wellness, soft tissue mobilization, motor learning, exercise prescriptions, PNF, transfers, and protocols.
G 527 Electrophysiological Testing and Therapeutics 2 cr. Offered spring. Physiology, indications, contraindications, and application of physical agents. Theory and application of electrodiagnosis and electrotherapy procedures.
G 528 Physical Therapy Interventions II 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 526. Continuation of PT 526. Application and prescription of therapeutic exercise to various patient problems and environments, including gait functional training, and aquatics. Emphasis on equipment analysis and patient education.
G 536 Neurosciences for the Health Professions 5 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 464, 465 or consent of instr. Anatomy of the head and neck, and neuroanatomy of the human nervous system with emphasis on evaluation of central nervous system lesions and pathological conditions, clinical applications to physical therapy.
G 560 Introduction to Research 1 cr. Offered spring. Introduction to the research process in physical therapy including evidence based practice, faculty research tracks, and laboratories. Includes beginning literature review for special/research project.
G 561 Research Methods in Physical Therapy 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., MATH 241. Research design and statistical analyses in physical therapy and related sciences.
G 562 Scholarly Project I 1 cr. Offered autumn. Directed research with individual faculty advisor to develop proposal for research/special project.
G 563 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy and Pharmacology 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., second year in PT professional program or consent of instr. Cardiovascular and pulmonary pathology and rehabilitation. Basic principles of pharmacology and application to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
G 565 Physical Therapy for Children 2 cr. Offered autumn. Evaluation and intervention of neuromotor and musculoskeletal physical therapy rehabilitation of children. Physical therapy for children in school systems.
G 566 Advanced Anatomy Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., PT 464, 465, 536, 537. Regional dissection and study of the back, neck, upper extremity and lower extremity, including clinical correlates.
G 567 Neurorehabilitation I 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 464, 465, 536, 537. Neurologic physical therapy assessment and intervention of adults with cerebrovascular accidents. Motor control and motor learning and application to physical therapy neurorehabilitation.
G 568 Neurorehabilitation II 2 cr. Offered spring. Neurologic physical therapy assessment and intervention of adults with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological disorders. Includes wheelchair and home assessment.
G 569 Orthopedic Physical Therapy I 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 516, 517. Evaluation and intervention procedures in manual therapy of the extremities.
G 570 Psychology of Illness and Disability 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., second year in professional PT program. Psychological response to illness and disability to include patient motivation, patient/professional interaction, and treatment of persons with chronic pain.
G 571 Scholarly Project II 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., M.S.P.T. student. Research and writing on a special topic as related to physical therapy.
G 572 Practice and Administration 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Organization and management of the physical therapy department with emphasis on the therapist's role as administrator, supervisor and consultant.
G 573 Orthopedic Physical Therapy II 1 cr. Offered spring. Evaluation and intervention procedures in manual therapy of the spring.
G 575 Physical Therapy Interventions III 3 cr. Offered spring. Continuation of PT 528. Includes units in obstetrics, pelvic floor dysfunction, burns and wounds, industrial physical therapy, architectural barriers, alternative PT treatments.
G 576 Synthesis of Clinical Evaluation and Intervention 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., second year in PT program. Synthesis and analysis of PT evaluation and intervention through case reports.
G 582 Clinical Experience I 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Clinical experience in physical therapy departments.
G 587 Clinical Internship I 4 cr. Offered summer. Prereq., PT 582 and consent of instr. Six weeks of full time clinical experience with emphasis on developing patient treatment skills.
G 588 Clinical Internship II 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 587 and consent of instr. Four weeks of full time clinical experience with emphasis on patient evaluation and continuation of developing patient treatment skills.
G 589 Clinical Internship III 5 cr. Offered summer. Prereq., PT 588 or consent of instr. Eight weeks of full time clinical experience with emphasis on learning about administrative issues, problem solving, time management, and communication skills. Continuation of development of patient treatment and evaluation skills.
G 590 Clinical Internship IV 5 cr. Offered summer. Prereq., PT 589 and M.S.P.T. student. Eight weeks of full time clinical experience that is a continuation of PT 589 in a different setting. Emphasis is on entry level mastery of all required clinical skills.
G 594 Seminar Variable cr. (R 6) Offered autumn and spring.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 4) Offered autumn and spring. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 6) Offered autumn and spring.
G 671 Research in Physical Therapy I 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., D.P.T. student. Data collection for research/special project.

Faculty back to top

Professors

Richard Gajdosik, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1989; P.T., Montana
Charles Leonard, Ph.D., Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1985; P.T. , Montana
Ann K. Williams, Ph.D., Portland State University, 1985; P.T., Montana

Associate Professors

Carrie Gajdosik, M.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1986; P.T., Montana
Beth Ikeda, M.S., Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, 1989; P.T., Montana
Nora Staael, M.A., Columbia University, 1932; P.T., Montana (Emeritus)

Assistant Professor

Steve Fehrer, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1984; P.T., Montana
James Laskin, Ph.D., University of Alberta, 2001; P.T., Montana
David L. Levison, M.H.S., Indianapolis Krannert School of Physical Therapy, 1996; P.T., Montana