DPT curriculum and requirements

Overview

Binghamton's Division of Physical Therapy is committed to developing the next generation of physical therapy clinicians, educators and leaders by providing students with the resources, education, guidance and opportunities they need to be successful. Our innovative curriculum, leading faculty scholars and researchers, and brand-new state-of-the-art facilities allow Binghamton University to offer a top-notch education at a competitive price. 

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Binghamton University is a full-time, three-year curriculum that requires 115 credit hours for completion. 

The curriculum combines classroom instruction, laboratory instruction and practice, online interactions, readings and homework assignments, discussions, peer-teaching, seminars and clinical experiences. 

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to take the licensing exam to be able to practice as physical therapists.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration for admission into the DPT program, applicants must: 

  • Complete a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to enrollment.
  • Have completed or be taking the prerequisite coursework listed in the section below.

Binghamton’s Division of Physical Therapy does not require applicants to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

Curriculum

Prerequisite coursework

Students must have completed or currently be taking the prerequisite coursework listed below (refer to the PTCAS Qualifying Course Subject List for any questions regarding prerequisites). A minimum grade of C is required in each prerequisite course.

Prerequisite coursework
Course  Minimum Credit Hours

Anatomy + Lab and Physiology + Lab OR
Anatomy and Physiology I and II + Lab

4 credits each (8 credits) OR 8 credits
General Biology I and II + Lab 4 credits each (8 credits)
General Chemistry I and II + Lab 4 credits each (8 credits)
Physics I and II + Lab 4 credits each (8 credits)
Psychology 3 credits
Statistics 3 credits 

Other courses/electives (2 courses total)

Electives can include courses in psychology and/or social/behavioral sciences

3 credits each x 2 (6 credits)
English Composition, Writing, Communication or Speech Communication 3 credits

Curriculum plan/worksheet

A printer-friendly DPT curriculum plan is available. 

YEAR 1

Summer session

Credits

DPT 600

Professional Development I - Learning & Teaching

2

DPT 601

Clinical Human Anatomy

6

Summer term credit total

8

Fall semester

Credits

DPT 610

Kinesiology & Applied Biomechanics

3

DPT 611

Cardiopulmonary I - Exercise Physiology

3

DPT 612

Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy I

3

DPT 613

Professional Development II - Clinical Reasoning

2

DPT 614

Introduction to Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation - ICE I

3

DPT 615

Clinical Examination Skills & Documentation

2

DPT 616

Integumentary I - Patient Management & Mobility

2

Fall semester credit total

18

Spring semester

Credits

DPT 620

Cardiopulmonary II - Clinical Management of Cardiopulmonary Conditions

4

DPT 621

Musculoskeletal (MSK) I: Examination Skills

4

DPT 622

Special Populations I - Physical Therapy Management of the High-Acuity Patient

3

DPT 623

Essentials of Therapeutic Exercise

2

DPT 624

Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy

3

DPT 625

Special Populations II - Physical Therapy Management of the Older Adult - ICE II

2

Spring semester credit total

18

YEAR 2

Summer session

Credits

DPT 692

Clinical Education I (10 weeks)

4

DPT 630

Professional Development III - Ethics & Moral Agency

2

Summer session credit total

6

Fall semester

Credits

DPT 641

Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy II

2

DPT 642

Physical Agents and Electrotherapeutic Interventions

2

DPT 643

MSK II: Management of the Lower Quarter/Lumbopelvic Spine

4

DPT 644

Advanced Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation

3

DPT 645

Foundations of Neurorehabilitation I - Central Nervous System

3

DPT 646

Integumentary II

2

DPT 647

Special Populations III - Rural and At-Risk Populations

1

Fall semester credit total

17

Spring semester

Credits

DPT 650

Foundations of Neurorehabilitation II - Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nervous System

3

DPT 651

Neurorehabilitation I (CNS)

4

DPT 652

MSK III: Management of the Upper Quarter/Cervical Spine

4

DPT 653

Integumentary III - Prosthetics & Orthotics

2

DPT 654

Special Populations IV - Health & Wellness Promotion 

2

DPT 655

Healthcare Systems 

2

Spring semester credit total

17

YEAR 3

Summer session

Credits

DPT 694

Clinical Education II (10 weeks)

4

DPT 660

Introduction to Physical Therapy Clinical Management

2

Summer session credit total

6

Fall semester

Credits

DPT 670

Physical Therapy Management of Complex Patients

2

DPT 671

MSK IV - Advanced Spine and Manual Physical Therapy

3

DPT 672

Neurorehabilitation II (SC, ANS, PNS)

4

DPT 673

Special Populations V - Physical Therapy Management of Pediatric Conditions

3

DPT 674

Clinical Administration, Marketing, Management

3

DPT 675

EBP III - Capstone

2

Fall semester credit total

17

Spring semester

Credits

DPT 696

Clinical Education III (12 weeks)

6

DPT 680

Professional Development IV - Capstone

2

Spring semester credit total

8

 

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE COMPLETION

115

Apply

Students interested in applying to the DPT program at Binghamton University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences should apply through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service, known as PTCAS

Explore our Admissions Webpage