School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science

Anita Santasier, Chair

The professional program in physical therapy grants the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The program has an entry-level DPT program, an entry-level DPT/MBA program, and a post-entry level transitional DPT curriculum leading to the DPT 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.health.umt.edu/schools/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 health, wellness and prevention of disability in an effort to promote maximal use of an individual's capacities and reduce their risk of illness. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and integumentary 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 diverse 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 also 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 Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association, receive 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 through 2018.

High School Preparation:

Specific high school courses are not required but a background is recommended in mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, English, and 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 for their undergraduate degree. 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 School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science 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. All prerequisite courses must be taken for a traditional letter grade and must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00) or better.

Prerequisite Courses and Credits

Human Anatomy and Physiology: minimum of two semesters or two to three quarters of human anatomy and physiology. This coursework must be completed either in a biology-based science department or a kinesiology-based department with an accompanying lab. A full sequence must be completed of two semesters or two to three quarters, depending upon what is offered by the institution.  A comparative vertebrate anatomy and an animal physiology course may be substituted for human anatomy and physiology.

Chemistry: A full sequence must be completed of two semesters or two to three quarters, depending upon what is offered by the institution.

Physics: A full sequence must be completed of two semesters or two to three quarters, depending upon what is offered by the institution.

Statistics: minimum of one semester or quarter of statistics coursework.

Social Sciences: minimum of two semesters or three quarters of social/behavioral science classes. These classes may include courses offered by Psychology, Educational Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Cultural Geography or Anthropology departments.

Certification in adult, child, and infant CPR is assumed.

Computer literacy is assumed. You should be able to utilize email communication, word processing, statistical and spreadsheet programs and be able to complete searches on the Web.

Department Faculty

Professor

  • Charles Leonard, Professor, Physical Therapy

Associate Professor

  • James J. Laskin, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy
  • Ryan L. Mizner, Associate Professor
  • Anita Santasier, Chair

Assistant Professor

  • Jennifer Bell, Clinical Assistant Professor/Associate Director of Clinical Education
  • David Levison, Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Education
  • Sambit Mohapatra, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy
  • Alex Santos, Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy, Director of Motor Control Laboratory

Research Faculty

  • Ryan Mays, Research Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology

Affiliates

  • Kimberly Mize, Affiliated Clinical Faculty

Course Descriptions

Allied Health: Health Sciences

  • AHHS 582 - Implementing Value Based System Change in Rehabilitation

    Credits: 1. Offered autumn, spring, summer. Prereq. Enrolled in the Rehabilitation Business Administration Certificate. Enhance the learner’s appreciation of the management, data, and system skills needed to successfully innovate and implement necessary value based practice changes to compete in the changing rehabilitation healthcare landscape. Level: Graduate

  • AHHS 584 - Leadership to Develop Innovative Clinical Practice for Value Based Care

    Credits: 2. This course will explore the drivers of health care reform, the key strategies to implement value based care. The required leadership and organizational characteristics to support innovations and transformative health care. Level: Graduate

  • AHHS 599 - System Skills to Thrive in a Changing Health Care Environment - Capstone Project

    Credits: 4. This course will culminate in a capstone project describing the concept of system skills (ie., intrinsic interest in data, the ability to devise solutions to problems identified by the data; and understanding of how to implement practice innovations on a large scale) with relevance to physical therapy practice. The course has three components 1) the importance of measurement and the resultant systems data, 2) the concept of ‘positive deviants’ and provides case examples of innovators who are using systems data to solve clinical challenges, and 3) performance of a capstone project by the student related to their clinical issue. Level: Graduate

Physical Therapy

  • P T 503 - PT and Health Care System

    Credits: 4. Offered autumn. An introduction to physical therapy and its relationship to the health care system. Topics include introduction to PT as a profession, medical terminology, medical records, teaching and learning, ethics, laws and professional issues in physical therapy. Level: Graduate

  • P T 510 - Applied Clinical Anatomy

    Credits: 5. Offered autumn. Prereq., course in human anatomy or comparative vertebrate anatomy. Anatomy of the neuromusculoskeletal system and body cavities in relation to movement and function with clinical correlates. Course lab fee. Level: Graduate

  • P T 516 - Movement System Exam & Eval

    Credits: 5. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 510, 529. Principles of musculoskeletal examination and evaluation including posture, neurologic screen, palpation, measurement of ROM and muscle performance, assessment of muscle length, and joint play. Level: Graduate

  • P T 519 - Musculoskeletal Management I

    Credits: 4. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 510, 516, 529. Coreq., PT 530, 524. Principles of musculoskeletal examination, evaluation, and intervention. The focus is application of anatomic and biomechanical principles when examining posture and movement, identification of abnormal movement patterns, and analysis of underlying neuromuscular impairments. Level: Graduate

  • P T 520 - Development Through Life Span

    Credits: 2. Offered spring. Presentation of changes in adults they progress through the lifespan. Includes the functional changes associated with aging, assessing and managng fall risk, performance and interpretation of functional outcome measures. Level: Graduate

  • P T 523 - Clinical Medicine I: Intro to Med

    Credits: 1. Introduction to medical screening within the patient/client meanagment model. Level: Graduate

  • P T 524 - Clin Med II Intro to Med

    Credits: 1. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 523. Introduction to pharmacology, medical management of selected orthopedic and hematological conditions. Level: Graduate

  • P T 525 - Clin Med III

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 523 or PT 516, and PT 524 or 519. Pathophysiology, medical and pharmacological management of hepatic, oncological, immunological diseases and organ transplantation. Level: Graduate

  • P T 526 - Foundational Skills & Intervention

    Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 510, 516. Basic skills of transfers, bed mobility, gait assistive device use, and soft tissue mobilization. Level: Graduate

  • P T 527 - Physical & Electrophysical Agents

    Credits: 3. Offered spring. Physiology, indications, contraindications, and application of electrotherapy and physical agents. Theory and application of electrodiagnostic and electrotherapeutic procedures. Level: Graduate

  • P T 529 - Biomechanics

    Credits: 4. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 510. Principles of biomechanics and application to physical therapy. Level: Graduate

  • P T 530 - PhysClinical Applied Exercise Physiology

    Credits: 4. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 510. Principles and applications of the physiological adaptations to acute and chronic exercise stresses, exercise assessment/testing, prescription and progression of the exercise program, and the adaptations of exercise interventions in the clinical environment. Basic principles and application of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). Level: Graduate

  • P T 536 - Neurosciences

    Credits: 5. Offered spring. 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. Level: Graduate

  • P T 560 - Clinical Reasoning I

    Credits: 1. Offered spring. Introduction to the clinical reasoning process in physical therapy, faculty research and scholarship options, and laboratory orientation. Level: Graduate

  • P T 563 - Cardiopulmonary PT

    Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 510, 516, 530. Cardiovascular and pulmonary pathology, pharmacology, and differential diagnosis. Physical therapy assessment and interventions for patients with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease. Level: Graduate

  • P T 565 - PT for Children

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 520, PT 536. Normal development throughout childhood. Evaluation and intervention of neuromotor and musculoskeletal physical therapy rehabilitation of children. Physical therapy for children in school systems. Level: Graduate

  • P T 567 - Neurorehabilitation I

    Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 536. Neurologic physical therapy assessment and intervention of adults with cerebrovascular accidents, Parkinson disease, or multiple sclerosis. Motor control and motor learning and application to physical therapy neurorehabilitation. Includes wheelchair and home assessment. Level: Graduate

  • P T 568 - Neurorehab II

    Credits: 3. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 536. Neurologic physical therapy assessment and intervention of adults with traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, degenerative neurological conditions, neurological diseases. Also includes assessment and treatment of vestibular system and conditions. Level: Graduate

  • P T 569 - Musculoskeletal Management II

    Credits: 5. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 510, 516, 519, 529, 530. Principles of musculoskeletal examination, evaluation, and intervention for the hip, knee, ankle, foot, and lumbar spine. Level: Graduate

  • P T 570 - Psych of Illness & Disability

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn. Psychological response to illness and disability to include patient motivation, patient/professional interaction, and treatment of persons with chronic pain. Level: Graduate

  • P T 572 - Practice & Administration

    Credits: 2. Offered spring. Practice management and operations explored with emphasis on strategic planning, human resource management, regulatory compliance/risk management, quality improvement and coding payment. Level: Graduate

  • P T 573 - Musculoskeletal Management III

    Credits: 4. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 510, 516, 519, 529, 530. Principles of musculoskeletal examination, evaluation, and intervention for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), thoracic and cervical spine. Level: Graduate

  • P T 576 - Clinical Reasoning II

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn. This course will build on the foundations established in Clinical Reasoning I. Issues related to clinical and research ethics will be discussed. The principles of evidence based practice (EBP), including the application of evidence and the creation of evidence, will be part of the discussion. Limitations of EBP and it role in the changing health care environment, critical appraisal of the literature, statistical knowledge, and weighing evidence for clinical decision making will be presented. A writing assignment, application of debate/persuasive argument techniques, and collaborative group exercise will be a part of this course. Level: Graduate

  • P T 577 - App Clin Teaching in PT

    Credits: 1 TO 2. Offered autumn. Teaching experience in practical application of clinical therapy. Level: Graduate

  • P T 578 - PT for Select Populations

    Credits: 6. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 510, 516, 529, 530. Physical therapy assessment and interventions are addressed in the areas of occupational health, pregnancy and pelvic floor dysfunction, wound management and prosthetic management. This course also addresses the needs and concerns of special populations in the clinical environment. Level: Graduate

  • P T 582 - Clinical Experience

    Credits: 1. Offered spring. A mix of classroom and clinical experiences to introduce students to the expectations of professional practice. CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 583 - Integrated Clinical Experience-Orthopedic Physical Therapy

    Credits: 2. Offered atumn and spring. Prereq., P T 587 and successful completion of all prior coursework and clinical experiences. An integrated, part-time clinical experience with emphasis on evaluation and management of patients with orthopedic conditions. Only CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 584 - Integrated Clinical Experience-Neurologic Physical Therapy

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., PT 587 and successful completion of all prior coursework and clinical experiences. An integrated, part-time clinical experience with emphasis on evaluation and management of patients with neurological conditions. CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 587 - Full-Time Clinical Experience I

    Credits: 4. Offered summer. Prereq., successful completion of all first-year DPT courses and PT 582. Eight weeks of full-time clinical experience with emphasis on developing patient evaluation and treatment skills. CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 589 - Full-Time Clinical Experience II

    Credits: 5. Offered summer. Prereq., Successful completion of second year DPT courses and all previous clinical edcuation courses. 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. CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 598 - Internship

    Credits: 1. Offered summer. Prereq., Successful completion of all prior clinical experiences, and previous DPT coursework. 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. Only CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 626 - Clinical Medicine IV

    Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Prereqs., PT 523 or PT 516, PT 524 or PT 519, and PT 525. Course will focus on the role of the physical therapist in a Direct Access environment. Pathology, differential screening, pharmacotherapeutics, evaluation and management of integumentary, gastrointestinal, endocrine/metabolic and urogenital disease. Course will address abdominal and dermatological screening. Level: Graduate

  • P T 627 - Prevention & Wellness Education

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn. Nutrition, health promotion, patient and support network education, exercise/fitness, disease and injury prevention, life span emphasis. Level: Graduate

  • P T 628 - PT Student Clinic

    Credits: 1. Offered autumn and spring.  Open to 2nd and 3rd year DPT students.  Supervised service learning experience for students providing physical therapy rehabilitation and wellness activities to individuals without health insurance. Level: Graduate
    Course Attributes:
    • Service Learning

  • P T 641 - Introduction to Health-Focused Lifestyle Intervention

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq. must be enrolled in HFLI certificate program. Introduces students to Health-Focused Lifestyle Interventions [HFLI] and builds the context for physical-therapist led lifestyle intervention teams to include, exploring the public health context for HFLI teams, identifying target patient populations, and presenting the core competencies required to participate in and lead HFLI teams. Level: Graduate

  • P T 642 - Defining Framework for Measuring, Planning and Delivering Health-Focused Lifestyle Interventions

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq., must be Enrolled in HFLI certificate program and PT 641 required. Introduces students to health belief and behavior models as well as a structured methodology for assessment of health status for individuals and at a community level. Level: Graduate

  • P T 643 - Principles of Interpersonal and Organizational Health Coaching

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq., must be enrolled in HFLI certificate program and PT 641 and PT 642 required. Introduction to health coaching principles, motivational interviewing, and the influence of health belief and behavior models on developing individual and community level action plans. Level: Graduate

  • P T 644 - Comptencies for Health-Focused Lifestyle Intervention [HFLI] Teams

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq., must be enrolled in HFLI certificate and PT 641, PT 642, and PT 643 required. Provides students with an overview of the knowledge, skills, and abilities in four specific content areas that are important for ensuring success of physical therapist led HFLI teams. Level: Graduate

  • P T 645 - Developing a Health-Focused Lifestyle Intervention Business Plan

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq., must be enrolled in HFLI certificate program and PT 641, PT 642, PT 643, and PT 644 required. Guides students through a structured process to develop an achievable strategic plan for a physical therapist-led HFLI program or business. Level: Graduate

  • P T 649 - Health-Focused Lifestyle Intervention Capstone Experience

    Credits: 2. Offered spring, autumn. Prereq., must be enrolled in HFLI certificate program and PT 641, PT 642, PT 643, PT 644, and PT 645 required. Provides students with an onsite capstone experience that is designed to provide students the opportunity to interact with faculty in a variety of classes, discussions and presentations. Students will also present their business plans to and receive feedback from faculty with significant HFLI business experience. Level: Graduate

  • P T 650 - Screening for Medical Disorder

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. PT’s role, responsibilities, and decision-making processes regarding appropriate referral of a patient to a physician for evaluation of medical conditions outside the scope of physical therapy. Level: Graduate

  • P T 651 - Med Imaging in Rehabilitation

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, summer. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Provide the physical therapy clinical learner with the tools needed to interpret and apply specialized medical imaging information to the rehabilitation patient. Level: Graduate

  • P T 652 - Pharmacology in Rehab

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Provide clinical learners with the primary drug classes and the physiologic basis of their action. Level: Graduate

  • P T 653 - Legal and Ethical Issues

    Credits: 1. Offered spring, summer. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Foundational information as to the legal, ethical and administrative decision making process often facing physical therapists in clinical practice. Level: Graduate

  • P T 654 - Clinical Decision Making

    Credits: 1. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Provide ways to utilize the Guide to PT Practice for effective and efficient clinical decision making. Level: Graduate

  • P T 655 - Business and Marketing

    Credits: 2. Offered spring, summer. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Enhance the PT clinical learner’s appreciation of business and management practices needed to succeed within the current healthcare landscape. Level: Graduate

  • P T 656 - Coding and Reimbursement

    Credits: 1. Offered autumn, summer. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Educate the clinical learner in analyzing reimbursement of current billing, accounts receivable, collection procedures and use of proper coding. Level: Graduate

  • P T 657 - Professionalism

    Credits: 2. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. This seminar course provides the clinical learner with the opportunity to analyze and discuss the roles/responsibilities and challenges/opportunities inherent in doctoral level physical therapy practice. Only CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 658 - Critical Assessment

    Credits: 3. Offered autumn, spring. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Develop skills in the application of evidence-based practice as a model for effective clinical decision-making. Level: Graduate

  • P T 659 - Capstone Project

    Credits: 4. Prereq. Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum. Development of the skills needed by physical therapists to fulfill their role as effective participants in the research process. Guide student through the capstone case report completion process. Only CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 660 - Mgmt of MS Disorders

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring, summer.  Prereq., enrolled in t-DPT curriculum.  PT's role, responsibilities, and decision-making processes regarding patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Level: Graduate

  • P T 661 - Mgmt of CVP Disorders

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring and summer.  prereq., Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum.  PT's role, responsibilities and decision-making processes regarding appropriate patient management of persons with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disorders. Level: Graduate

  • P T 662 - Mgmt of Neuro Disorders

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring, summer.  Prereq., enrolled in t-DPT curriculum.  PT's role, responsibilities, and decision-making processes regarding patients with neurological disorders. Level: Graduate

  • P T 663 - Mgmt of Integ Disorders

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring, summer.  Prereq., Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum.  PT's role, responsibilities, and decision-making processes regarding patients with integumentary disorders. Level: Graduate

  • P T 664 - Wellenss Hlth Promotion

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn, spring, summer.  Prereq., Enrolled in t-DPT curriculum.  PT's role, responsibilities, and decision-making processes regarding patient/client involvement with wellness and health promotion. Level: Graduate

  • P T 672 - Research in PT II

    Credits: 2. Offered autumn. Data analysis, writing of research manuscript, presentation of project. Level: Graduate

  • P T 676 - Clinical Reasoning III

    Credits: 3. Offered autumn. Course addresses elements of clinical mastery, professional development, career options, ethics and patient advocacy.  Each student develops and presents a case report and provides peer review and feedback.  Level: Graduate

  • P T 679 - Trends & Scholarly Act.

    Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring. Students are required to complete at least 6 credits during their 2nd and 3rd years. Seminar sections that focus on advanced clinical topics in physical therapy and/or engagement in research with an individual faculty advisor. Traditional or CR/NCR grading as determined by instructor. Level: Graduate

  • P T 680 - Clinical Internship

    Credits: 12. Prereq., Successful completion of all prior DPT coursework and clinical experiences. Final summative experience is a 15 week clinical internship. Includes writing and presentation of case study or special project. CR/NCR grading. Level: Graduate

  • P T 690 - Research

    Credits: 1 TO 10. (R-10) Prereq., consent of instr. Traditional or CR/NCR grading as determined by instructor. Level: Graduate

  • P T 691 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Traditional or CR/NCR grading as determined by instructor. Level: Graduate

  • P T 692 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 4. (R-6) Prereq., consent of instructor. Traditional or CR/NCR grading as determined by instructor. Level: Graduate

  • P T 694 - Seminar/Workshop

    Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-6) Traditional or CR/NCR grading as determined by course instructor. Level: Graduate

  • P T 699 - Thesis/Dissertation

    Credits: 1 TO 10. (R-10)  Offered every term. Only CR/NCR grading. Preparation of a thesis or manuscript based on research for presentation and/or publication. Level: Graduate