Ann K. Williams, Chair
The professional program in physical therapy grants the Doctor
or Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. 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 Physical Thereapy Education of the American
Physical Therapy Association, a Doctor of Physical Therapy 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:
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 advanced biology (Course must be offered by a
biology, zoology, or physiology department.) Courses in advanced
physiology, cell biology, histology, genetics, or developmental
biology are recommended.
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. Laboratory
recommended. This course is usually available on The University
of Montana-Missoula campus during the summer prior to beginning
of the professional program.
Social Sciences: two semester courses in the social sciences.
Must include abnormal psychology or developmental psychology.
Courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology are recommended.
Humanities: two semester courses required. Must include a writing
course (English composition, technical writing, or a designed
writing course) and a communications course.
First Aid/CPR certification/competency
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 |
PSYC 330S Abnormal Psychology or 240S Developmental Psychology |
3 |
MATH 241 Statistics |
4 |
HHP 289 Advanced First Aid/CPR |
|
Computer literacy required. |
|
Additional Requirements for Application
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
The professional D.P.T. program is 33 months in length. 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
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 |
|
|
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 |
- |
3 |
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 |
21 |
Summer Session |
|
|
PT 587 Clinical Internship I |
4 |
Second Professional Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
PT 525 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology |
3 |
- |
PT 561 Research in Physical Therapy |
2 |
- |
PT 562 Scholarly Project I |
|
|
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 |
3 |
- |
PT 570 Psychology of Illness and Disability |
2 |
- |
PT 571 Scholarly Project II |
- |
1 |
PT 572 Practice and Administration |
- |
2 |
PT 575 Physical Therapy Interventions III |
- |
5 |
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 |
5 |
PT 590 Clinical Internship IV (M.S. only) |
5 |
Third Professional Year (D.P.T. only)
|
Autumn |
Spring |
PT 626 Primary Care in Physical Therapy |
3 |
- |
PT 627 Prevention, Wellness, and Education |
2 |
- |
PT 672 Research in Physical Therapy II |
2 |
- |
PT 673 Practice & Administration II |
2 |
- |
PT 676 Clinical Mastery in Physical Therapy |
4 |
- |
PT 679 Trend in Clinical Practice (may be
repeated) |
4 |
- |
PT 690 Clinical Internship IV |
- |
12 |
Total |
17 |
12 |
Four credits of professional elective course work are required
for the D.P.T. These may be satisfied by PT 679 sections or courses
outside the department. Only 2 credits may be independent study.
Total credits required for graduation D.P.T.: 112
Courses
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.
Physical Therapy (P T)
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 Development Through the Life Span 3 cr.
Offered spring. Prereq., PT 464, 465 and consent of instr. Process-based
learning course covering human development with emphasis on motor
development including pediatrics and geriatrics and a review of
geriatric care programs.
G 525 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology 3 cr.
Offered autumn. Pathology, evaluation, differential diagnosis,
pharmacology, management of oncological, endocrine, metabolic,
GI, renal, and immunological pathology.
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
autumn. 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 2 cr.
Offered autumn. Prereq., second year in PT professional program
or consent of instr. Cardiovascular and pulmonary pathology and
rehabilitation. Application of pharmacology to cardio-pulmonary
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 3 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 1 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 575 Physical Therapy Interventions III 5 cr.
Offered spring. Continuation of PT 528. Includes units in burns
and wounds, industrial physical therapy, architectural barriers,
prosthetics, advanced orthotics, obstetric PT, pelvic floor dysfunction.
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 577 Applied Clinical Anatomy and Kinesiology Teaching
1-2 cr. Offered autumn. Teaching experience in practical
application of clinical anatomy and kinesiology.
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. Seven weeks of full time clinical experience
with emphasis on developing patient treatment skills.
G 588 Clinical Internship II 4 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., PT 587. Five 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 626 Primary Care 3 cr. Offered autumn. Differential
diagnosis of system pathology including basic verbal and physical
screening, diagnostic imaging, laboratory tests and pharmacological
intervention. Infectious diseases and cancer as related to physical
therapy.
G 627 Prevention, Wellness, and Education 2 cr.
Offered autumn. Nutrition, health promotion, patient and support
network education, exercise/fitness, disease and injury prevention,
life span emphasis.
G 671 Research in Physical Therapy I 2 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., D.P.T. student. Data collection for research/special
project.
G 672 Research in Physical Therapy II 2 cr. Offered
autumn. Data analysis, writing of research manuscript, presentation
of project.
G 673 Advanced Practice and Administration II 2 cr.
Offered spring.
G 676 Clinical Mastery in Physical Therapy 4 cr.
Offered autumn. Learner-centered course synthesizing PT examination,
evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, outcomes, reimbursement,
education, delegation, and wellness.
G 679 Trends in Clinical Practice 2 cr. (R-4)
Offered autumn. Focus on advanced clinical topics in physical
therapy.
G 690 Clinical Internship IV 12 cr. Custom-designed
clinical internship of 15 weeks. Includes writing and presentation
of case study or special project.
G 696 Independent Study 1-4 cr. (R-4) Offered
intermittently.
Faculty
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
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
Emeritus Associate Professor
Nora Staael, M.A., Columbia University, 1932; P.T., Montana