DScPT - Distance Learning Format

The Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy (DScPT) degree represents the highest clinical specialty doctorate in the world. It is a unique degree designed to not only train the clinician to become a direct access provider and a competent researcher, but will also train the clinician to become a specialist in the area of orthopedic manual therapy.

Andrews University partners with ASPIRE OMT to provide the clinician with the skills to become a certified manipulative therapist. This degree will further enhance key areas such as medical screening, differential diagnosis, education, research, therapeutic exercise prescription, imaging and laboratory science, along with clinical leadership.

The DScPT degree allows the clinician to be a master clinician, a teacher and a researcher. Many of our graduates are faculty members at Universities within the United States and Canada, attesting to the terminal nature of this degree.

The program utilizes a combination of short course format, independent study and interactive online learning to minimize time away from home while providing necessary didactic contact. Applicants are also able to receive credit for previous achievements through our competency review process. Graduates will leave the program certified as an orthopedic manual therapist and will have the credentials to market themselves as one of the most respected orthopedic specialists in their area!

A) Program Composition - Main DScPT Track (Curriculum Outline)

Demonstrated competency or completion of a minimum of 64 credits of course work from the following areas:

Core I - Research Curriculum

Clinical Research
Advanced Topics in Clinical Research
Applications in Clinical Research
Dissertation Project: This serves as an essential outcome component to augment the professional development and new learning that occurs in the DScPT curriculum. The project demonstrates the ability of the graduate DScPT to make a significant contribution to the profession and/or to serve as a change agent in the field of physical therapy.

Core II - Foundation Curriculum

Core III -Manual Therapy Curriculum

NAIOMT Level I Introduction: Localizing and evaluating the site and source of the pain
NAIOMT Level II Upper Quadrant: Detailed biomechanical assessment and manual therapy techniques of the cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder girdle, elbow, wrist and hand
NAIOMT Level II Lower Quadrant: Detailed biomechanical assessment and manual therapy techniques of the lumbar and lower thoracic spine, hip, knee, ankle and foot
NAIOMT Level III Upper Quadrant: Advanced biomechanical assessment and skilled manual interventions to the upper and lower cervical spine, temporal mandibular joint, thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
NAIOMT Level III Lower Quadrant: Advanced assessment and treatment as noted above in the Level III upper quadrant course, and includes the lumbar and lower thoracic spine, pelvis and sacroiliac joints, hip, knee, ankle and foot
NAIOMT Level IV Spinal Manipulation: High-velocity, low-amplitude (thrust) techniques are taught addressing the spine, pelvic girdle and ribs.
NAIOMT Supervised Clinical Practice: Student will need to complete a minimum of 60 hours of 1:3 clinical supervision by completion of the degree
NAIOMT Thoracic Spine: Focuses on the thoracic region, spinal and costal joints. It will include the diagnosis, biomechanical examinations and the manual physical therapy treatment of the thoracic and costal articulations with mobilization and manipulation (thrust).
NAIOMT Advanced Clinical Reasoning: Teaches the integration of the data collected from the subjective examination (history and systems review) and the selective tissue tension examination (tests and measures from the scanning examination) to obtain a rational differential diagnosis.

Core IV - Elective Curriculum

The student must complete a minimum of 5 elective credits from course work in at least two areas of interest. 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 is enough student interest in one course, it can be offered on the Andrews Campus.

Program Synopsis: DScPT

1st Year:

Three on-campus sessions
One independent study/distance learning session

2nd Year:

Three on-campus sessions
Two independent study/distance learning sessions

3rd Year:

Three on-campus sessions
Completion of elective options either through independent study/distance learning or on-campus
Completion of Capstone Project*
Completion of 60 hours of supervised clinical practice*
Completion of manual therapy certification

*The student may work on all of these throughout the program and complete them at any time. Students have 6 years form the start of the program to fulfill all degree requirements.*

B) Program Composition - DPT - DScPT Track (Curriculum Outline)

Demonstrated competency or completion of a minimum of 42 credits of course work from the following areas:

Core I - Research Curriculum

Applications in Clinical Research
Dissertation Project: This serves as an essential outcome component to augment the professional development and new learning that occurs in the DScPT curriculum. The project demonstrates the ability of the graduate DScPT to make a significant contribution to the profession and/or to serve as a change agent in the field of physical therapy.

Core II - Foundation Curriculum

Principles of Contemporary Leadership

Core III - Manual Therapy Curriculum

NAIOMT Level I Introduction: Localizing and evaluating the site and source of the pain
NAIOMT Level II Upper Quadrant: Detailed biomechanical assessment and manual therapy techniques of the cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder girdle, elbow, wrist and hand
NAIOMT Level II Lower Quadrant: Detailed biomechanical assessment and manual therapy techniques of the lumbar and lower thoracic spine, hip, knee, ankle and foot
NAIOMT Level III Upper Quadrant: Advanced biomechanical assessment and skilled manual interventions to the upper and lower cervical spine, temporal mandibular joint, thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand
NAIOMT Level III Lower Quadrant: Advanced assessment and treatment as noted above in the Level III upper quadrant course, and includes the lumbar and lower thoracic spine, pelvis and sacroiliac joints, hip, knee, ankle and foot
NAIOMT Level IV Spinal Manipulation: High-velocity, low-amplitude (thrust) techniques are taught addressing the spine, pelvic girdle and ribs.
NAIOMT Supervised Clinical Practice: Student will need to complete a minimum of 60 hours of 1:3 clinical supervision by completion of the degree
NAIOMT Thoracic Spine: focus on the thoracic region, spinal and costal joints. It will include the diagnosis, biomechanical examinations and the manual physical therapy treatment of the thoracic and costal articulations with mobilization and manipulation (thrust).
NAIOMT Advanced Clinical Reasoning: Teaches the integration of the data collected from the subjective examination (history and systems review) and the selective tissue tension examination (tests and measures from the scanning examination) to obtain a rational differential diagnosis.

Core IV- Elective Curriculum

The student must complete a minimum of 2 elective credits from course work. 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 is enough student interest in one course, it can be offered on the Andrews Campus.

The entry point for the DScPT program is in August.
(for those holding a DPT degree entry points are in April and October)

DScPT Admissions
Requirements