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 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) rehabilitating injured workers to return to their jobs, 2) rehabilitating senior citizens after debilitating disease to enable them to remain independent 3) helping handicapped children to live within the least restrictive environment, 4) preventing and treating sports related injuries, and 5) 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 a Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree, and are prepared for state licensure.

The Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. This agency also has granted Interim Accreditation to the Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.

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. Five 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.)

-one semester of biology option

Chemistry: two semesters of general chemistry with laboratory

Physics: two semesters of general physics with laboratory

Statistics: one semester of statistics

Social Sciences: four semester courses in psychology and sociology that must include abnormal psychology, and one course in sociology

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

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, McGill Hall. 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 February 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 Physical Therapy Program is a 24-month curriculum covering two academic years plus two summers. Enrollment is limited to 32 students in each class (first and second professional years).

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 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 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

*Four credits of elective are required; two must be in the PT Department.

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.

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, goniometry and massage.

UG 483 Measurement and Modalities Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Corq., 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 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. An introduction to physical therapy and its relationship to the health care system. Topics include medical terminology, medical records, communication, and professional issues in physical therapy.

G 516 Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Gait, and Therapeutic Procedures I 3 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 464, 465, 482, 483. Musculoskeletal assessment and treatment including: patient transfers and positioning, posture, gait, sensation, massage, and orthopedic special tests.

G 517 Musculoskeletal Evaluation, Gait, and Therapeutic Procedures I Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 516. Clinical applications of PT 516.

G 518 Neuromusculoskeletal Pathology 2 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 464, 465 and consent of instr. The pathology and medical and surgical treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular diseases and disabilities.

G 520 Motor Development Through the Life Span 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 464, 465 and consent of instr. Survey of human motor development including embryology, pediatrics, and geriatrics.

G 525 Clinical Medicine and Pharmacology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 518. Topics in medicine, surgery, and pharmacology as related to physical therapy. Signs and symptoms of disease and implications for treatment. Topics include cardiac, pulmonary, renal, endocrine, and rheumatic disease; diabetes; cancer; review of surgical procedures; AIDS, and pharmacology.

G 526 Therapeutic Exercise and Biomechanics 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 464, 482, 483. Therapeutic exercise principles, prescription, and equipment. Biomechanical analysis and application to pathomechanics and injury. Ergonomic analysis and work hardening.

G 527 Electrophysiological Testing and Therapeutics 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 482, 483 and consent of instr. Theory and application of electrodiagnosis and electrotherapy procedures; includes laboratory.

G 536 Neurosciences for the Health Professions 4 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.

G 537 Neurosciences Laboratory 1 cr. Offered spring. Coreq., PT 537. Clinical application of PT 536.

G 561 Research in Physical Therapy 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., Math 241. Basic principles of research and measurement; planning and implementing the inquiry process; investigation and analysis of published research; research and writing on a special interest topic.

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 Neurological Rehabilitation 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 464, 465, 536, 537. Neurologic assessment and treatment including adult neurology, neurodevelopmental procedures, spinal cord injury, wheelchair and adaptive equipment needs and architectural barriers.

G 568 Neurological Rehabilitation Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn. Coreq., PT 567. Clinical applications of PT 567.

G 569 Therapeutic Procedures II 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., PT 516, 517. Evaluation and treatment procedures in manual therapy and prosthetics and orthotics.

G 570 Psychology of Illness and Disability 2 cr. Offered spring. 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 Research and Writing in Physical Therapy 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 561. 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 Theraeutic Procedures III 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 585. Continuation of PT 559. Includes units in obstetrics, pelvic floor dysfunction, burns, respiratory, peripheral vascular disease, cardiac rehabilitation, and alternative PT treatments.

G 576 Synthesis of Clinical Evaluation and Intervention 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., second year in PT program. Synthesis and analysis of the evaluation and treatment of various patient problems in physical therapy to include advanced case studies and signs and symptoms indicative of medical disease.

G 581 Clinical Clerkship I 1 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., enrollment in the PT program. Clinical experience in physical therapy departments with an emphasis on observation, patient handling, measurement, physical agents, and mentorship. Classroom meetings for the discussion of clinical issues included.

G 582 Clinical Clerkship II 1 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., PT 581 and consent of instr. Clinical experience in physical therapy departments expanding on the skills covered in PT 581.

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 consent of instr. 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.

Faculty

Professors

Richard Gajdosik, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1989; 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

Charles Leonard, Ph.D., Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1985; P.T. , Montana

Nora Staael, M.A., Columbia University, 1932; P.T., Montana (Emeritus)

Assistant Professor

Susan Queen, Ph.D., The University of New Mexico, 1987; P.T., Montana

Instructor

David L. Levison, M.H.S., Indianapolis Krannert School of Physical Therapy, 1996; P.T., Montana

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