Physical Therapy

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	Autumn	Spring
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	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	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