Course Descriptions
PTH700: Scholarly Writing & Research (2 Cr)
This course is dedicated to the development of doctoral quality writing skills through guided practice of writing a literature review for a scientific paper in preparation for publishing work. This is a degree orientation course, which includes introduction to the degree(s), being oriented to the James White Library, including endnote training and instruction to the APTA Guide to Physical Therapy Practice. This course is available on-campus and interactive online.
PTH705: Lifespan Considerations in Women's Health (1 Cr)
Pertinent physiological, psychosocial, and biological milestones will be addressed through childhood, adolescence, early-, middle- and late adulthood. This will lead to improved understanding of normal development and aging, as well as special considerations for wellness, athletes and emerging health conditions for various life stages. This course is interactive online.
PTH707: Principles of Contemporary Leadership in Women’s Health (3 Cr)
This course serves as a foundational exploration of personal and organizational leadership to empower women at various stages of their healthcare careers to succeed in leadership positions, transforming organizations and positively impacting health outcomes. The following topics in women's leadership are included: theory and application of complexity sciences to organizational management; examination and application of leadership styles; developing talent in others to expand opportunities for women’s growth; dynamic and persuasive communication; harnessing social media to promote healthcare leadership goals; emotional intelligence; building and leading teams; and negotiating difficult conversations. Additional content focused specifically on the needs of women and their relevance to leadership in women’s health include: Epidemiology; Population health-focused screening; Telehealth/Digital health; Health Policy; Global WH issues; Nutrition; and Self-care. This course is interactive online.
PTH713: Women, Health and Human Rights (1 Cr)
This course provides fundamental instruction in human rights, the human right to health, and explores the meaning of applying a human rights framework to healthcare. It further applies these concepts to the experience of women and girls, addressing gender equity, gender-based violence, maternal health, and education. This course is interactive online.
PTH714: Pregnancy and Postpartum (2 Cr)
Biopsychosocial case-based approach to maternal health for the physical therapist, from preconception through postpartum for low- and high-risk populations. Course will include current evidence and practice guidelines, physical examination, integrative interventions and wellness. This course is interactive online with a two day on-campus intensive.
PTH723: Pain Science and Persistent Pelvic Pain in Women’s Health (2 Cr)
Differential diagnosis and intervention of complex pelvic pain syndromes. The current evidence in pain science application to the pelvic region including examination, differential diagnosis of peripheral vs. central mediated pain algorithms and intervention techniques specific to this population. This course is interactive online with one day on-campus intensive.
PTH724: Surgical and Oncological Considerations in Women’s Health (1 Cr)
Anatomical and physiological changes leading to and resulting from surgery specific to females due to oncological and other diagnoses. Presentation of the pre and post-operative course of common women’s health conditions including the examination and intervention of post-surgical sequelae including tissue changes, lymphedema and wellness. This course is interactive online.
PTH741: Physiological Basis for Exercise Prescription: Level I (3 Cr)
Using the system of Medical Exercise Therapy founded by Odvar Holten, this course covers the physiological basis for exercise prescription specifically related to the healing process. Testing strategies, formulas for exercise dosing and equipment conducive to this approach will be presented along with computer software developed to assist dosage and patient tracking. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH744: Principles of Contemporary Leadership (3 Cr)
Theory and application of complexity sciences to organizational management; exploration of key leadership roles and changing paradigm; presentation of methods to maximize personal and professional life. This course is available on-campus and interactive online.
PTH608: Post Operative Management of Common Orthopedic Surgeries (2 Cr)
An online course covering the most common surgical procedures in orthopedic clinical practice and principles for successful postoperative management in physical therapy practice. This course is only available interactive online.
PTH609: Evidenced Based Orthopedic Clinical Practice (2 Cr)
An online review of research methodology and design and data analysis designed to allow an objective analysis of the literature concerning aspects of clinical practice. Covers the current research evidence regarding orthopedic clinical practice with analysis toward clinical utilization. This course is only available interactive online.
PTH716: Clinical Pharmacology (2 Cr)
Develops a non-prescriptive knowledge of specific medications including indications, contraindications, precautions, adverse reactions, and dosage, especially as related to physiological effects of physical therapy interventions. This course is only available interactive online.
PTH732: Clinical Research (2 Cr)
This course provides an introduction to clinical research methods. Course content includes: formulating a research question, defining variables, designing the study, instrumentation, validity and reliability of measurement and design, data collection procedures, basic data analysis, and ethical and legal responsibilities of the researcher. This course is available on-campus and interactive online.
PTH846: Spirituality in Health Care (3 Cr)
A discussion of individual spiritual values; spiritual values from a Christian perspective; how faith and spirituality facilitate the healing process, and how these can be incorporated into patient care. Attention will be given to discerning/addressing the spiritual needs of the patients/clients, family members and ancillary medical staff in a professional environment. This course is only available interactive online.
PTH647: Differential Diagnosis (2 or 3 Cr)
Analysis of the decision-making process, with special focus on clinical guidelines, Physical Therapy Guide to Practice, and differential diagnosis. Differential diagnosis is addressed through comparison of systemic signs and symptoms, as well as appropriate diagnostic tests which may indicate involvement of a problem outside of the scope of PT practice. This course is only available on-campus.
PTH840: Advanced Topics in Clinical Research (3 Cr)
This course is designed to prepare students to match research questions with study design, perform the appropriate statistical analysis, and report results. Students use SPSS to run descriptive and inferential statistics including measures of central tendency and variability of a frequency distribution as well as tests of difference or relationship: t-tests, ANOVAs, correlations, regression analysis, Chi-square and non-parametric equivalents. This course is available as on-campus and interactive online.
PTH748: Education Techniques for Health Care Professionals (2 Cr)
Examines and applies educational theory to skills utilized by the physical therapist in the classroom, community, and clinical facility. Topics include the educational role of the physical therapist, the taxonomies of learning, learning styles, multiple intelligence, and education technology. This course is available as on-campus and interactive online.
PTH860: Applications in Clinical Research (2 Cr)
IThis course provides an in-depth review of study designs and serves to develop researchers’ skills in evaluating both quantitative and qualitative research. Information is presented on grant writing and IRB application as well as disseminating completed research projects through manuscript, poster, and oral presentation. This course is available as on-campus and interactive online.
PTH750: Professional Communication and Consulting (2 Cr)
An introduction to the integration of the physical therapist as a consultant. Discussion will include applying physical therapy consultation to services to individuals, business, schools, government agencies and/or other organizations. This course is available only as interactive online.
PTH898: Dissertation Project (4-10 Cr)
Serves as an essential outcome component to augment the professional development and new learning that occurs in the DScPT curriculum. The completed Project demonstrates the ability of the graduate to make significant contributions to the physical therapy profession and/or serve as a change agent in the field of physical therapy. It includes the development of a proposal for a scientific research study which is then conducted independently by each DSc PT candidate after approval by physical therapy faculty and the institutional review board. Oral defense of the Dissertation Project must be completed prior to conferral of the degree. Manuscripts of Dissertation Projects are submitted for publication. Once students begin working on their Dissertation Projects, they will register for these credits each semester until the Dissertation Project is completed.
PTH733: NAIOMT Level I: Intro. to the Fundamentals of (3 Cr)
Orthopedic Manual Therapy & Differential Diagnosis
Appropriate skills in basic and objective selective tissue examination necessary for generating a provisional differential diagnosis of spinal dysfunction. Signs, symptoms, pathology, and management of common spinal pathologies are reviewed. Selective tissue tensioning techniques for the peripheral joints are introduced. Cyriax's principles are introduced. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH734: NAIOMT Level II: Intermediate Upper Quadrant (3 Cr)
A comprehensive biomechanical and anatomical review of the upper thoracic, upper and lower cervical spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. Specific biomechanical assessment of each area is taught along with appropriate and effective treatment techniques for common injuries and mechanical dysfunctions. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH738: NAIOMT Level II: Intermediate Lower Quadrant (3 Cr)
A comprehensive biomechanical and anatomical review of the lower thoracic and lumbar spines, the hip, knee ankle and foot. Specific biomechanical assessment of each area is taught along with appropriate treatment techniques for common injuries and dysfunctions. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH757: NAIOMT Level III: Advanced Upper Quadrant (3 Cr)
Builds on the techniques learned in Level II and helps the student understand the kinetic chain inter-relationships of the upper quadrant. Integrates information generated in the assessment to understand how remote dysfunctions can be casual or contributory. Advanced techniques are demonstrated along with new material on temporo-mandibular joint material and peripheral manipulation skills. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH752: NAIOMT Level III: Advanced Lower Quadrant (3 Cr)
Builds on the techniques learned in Level II and helps the student understand the kinetic chain inter-relationships in the lower quadrant. Presents advanced biomechanical tests and treatment and includes the sacroiliac and pubic joints. Discusses the integration of examination and treatment techniques. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH764: Physiological Basis for Exercise Prescription: Level II (3 Cr)
Advanced clinical reasoning and application for precision therapeutic exercise design, dosing, and delivery. Topics: hand-held dynamometry, exercise design, optimal improvement, 4 outcome domains, lower quadrant, spine. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH774: Physiological Basis for Exercise Prescription: Level III (1 Cr)
Mastery of the application of precision therapeutic exercise design, dosing, and delivery is demonstrated through a comprehensive theoretical exam and a lab-based oral practical with clinical discussion derived from case studies submitted by the student. Upon satisfactory completion, Certified Manual Exercise Therapist (CMET) credential is awarded. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH755: Advanced Gastrointestinal Health and Dysfunction (2 Cr)
A comprehensive approach to gastrointestinal disorders including bowel and digestion dysfunction. This approach allows for the consideration of management of multiple factors including nutritional, psychosocial, medical-surgical decisions, and physical therapy examination/intervention advanced intervention. A multifactorial approach can often lead to improved management of this complex patient as a varied intervention approach may be required to be successful. A comprehensive understanding of the physiology and symptom manifestation can improve the ability to develop a comprehensive intervention strategy tailored to each patient's needs throughout the episode of care. This course is available only as interactive online.
PTH835: Holistic Care in Physical Therapy (1 Cr)
This course will give the physical therapist a method of analysis and a wealth of practical information to evaluate more than just mechanical factors that affect pain, symptoms and disease progression. Application of this material will allow the therapist to be more effective with the same number of physical therapy visits. This course will provide the knowledge and skill needed to bring confidence in treating more complex patients and patients that do not respond to mechanical treatment only. Course content includes functional medicine, chronic pain physiology, traumatic brain injury and post-Concussion Syndrome, and other challenging dysfunctions physical therapists treat in the complex patient. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH836: Medical Screening and Clinical Differential Diagnosis (2 Cr)
Knowledge and clinical skills designed for screening patients for medical conditions. Differential diagnosis is addressed trough comparison of systematic signs and symptoms. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH848: NAIOMT Level IV: Advanced Spinal Manipulation (3 Cr)
Instructs the student on the indications and contra-indications, as well as, the safe and effective application of spinal, pelvic, and costal manipulation techniques. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH850: NAIOMT Supervised Clinical Practice (4 Cr)
Using up to a 3-to1 model, students will be required to do a minimum of 60 supervised clinical hours applying hands-on techniques with patients under the supervision of a certified NAIOMT clinical instructor, FAAOMPT, or other approved instructors. These hours can be split up into two 30-hour blocks, or other increments as agreed upon by the student and CI. No less than 15 hours can be registered for at any given time. Student must complete a minimum of 15 hours of PTH850 before taking PTH742 Level II Practical Exam (NAIOMT CMPT exam).
PTH746: NAIOMT: Thoracic Spine (2 Cr)
Lecture/lab course studying the thoracic spine as a source of spinal dysfunction. Emphasis is placed on a biomechanical model for detailed examination and treatment of the thoracic spine and costovertebral dysfunctions. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
PTH 762: NAIOMT: Advanced Clinical Reasoning (2 Cr)
Course helps the student integrate the clinical reasoning from the Level I through Level III series of NAIOMT courses. Using case based instruction, data from the subjective examination and selective tissue tensioning exam will be analyzed to arrive at a reasonable differential diagnosis. Clinical reasoning of treatment selection will also be integrated into this class. This course is available only as blended learning with on-campus intensive and interactive online.
ELECTIVES
Students may develop a personal elective plan in areas of interest. Electives may involve continuing education courses available closer to home, or they may be chosen from the list of specialty courses on the NAIOMT web site. If there are enough students interested in one course, it can be offered on the Andrews Campus.
PTH790: Topics in ________Physical Therapy (1-4 Cr)
Exists to allow independent direction in the elective track. Topic decided by student and advisor.
PTH890: Independent Study (2 Cr)
The student, working with their advisor and following degree/course guidelines will develop an independent 40 hour learning contract with a qualified clinical specialist to facilitate intensive focused clinical training in a field of study of their choosing.