A 13-month, research-focused PhD scheme in Physical Therapy (DPT/PhD track) — 12 months of coursework and dissertation preparation plus a one-month clinical/research internship. The program develops advanced clinical scientists for research, teaching and evidence-based practice.
Program overview
- Degree: PhD in Physical Therapy — Advanced Clinical Science & Rehabilitation Research
- Duration: 13 months total — 12 months coursework + dissertation prep, plus a 1-month clinical/research internship
- Focus: Evidence-based practice, biomechanics, neurorehabilitation, education, and independent research
- Format: Full-time, cohort
Semester 1: Foundations (Months 1–4)
Goal: Research methods + advanced PT science
- PTD 701 — Advanced Research Methods in Rehabilitation
- PTD 702 — Biostatistics for Clinical & Movement Sciences (3 credits)
- PTD 703 — Advanced Biomechanics & Kinesiology
- PTD 704 — Motor Control & Neuroplasticity
- PTD 705 — Seminar I: Current Issues in Physical Therapy
- PTD 706 — Ethics, Policy & Healthcare Systems
Total credits, Semester 1: 15
Semester 2: Specialization (Months 5–8)
Goal: Area of expertise + teaching + grant writing
- PTD 801 — Advanced Neurorehabilitation
- PTD 802 — Musculoskeletal & Sports Rehabilitation Science
- PTD 803 — Technology in PT: Robotics, VR, Wearables
- PTD 804 — Evidence-Based Practice & Systematic Review
- PTD 805 — Curriculum Design & Teaching in Health Sciences
- PTD 806 — Grant Writing & Research Funding
- PTD 807 — Seminar II: Dissertation Proposal Development
Total credits, Semester 2: 17
Semester 3: Research + Internship (Months 9–13)
Goal: Dissertation + clinical/research practice
- PTD 901 — Dissertation Research I
- PTD 902 — Advanced Topics: Pain Science / Cardio-Pulmonary / Pediatrics
- PTD 903 — Leadership & Program Development in PT
- PTD 910 — Clinical/Research Internship (3 credits · 40h/wk × 4 weeks)
- PTD 911 — Dissertation Research II + Defense Prep
Total credits, Semester 3: 16 · Total program credits: 48
Core research courses
- PTD 701: Study design, qualitative + quantitative methods, psychometrics, clinical trials
- PTD 702: ANOVA, regression, effect sizes, systematic review meta-analysis using R/SPSS
- PTD 804: How to conduct SR/MA, GRADE, implementation science
Advanced clinical science
- PTD 703: 3D motion analysis, kinetics, modeling
- PTD 704: CNS plasticity, motor learning, mirror therapy, TMS basics
- PTD 801: Stroke, SCI, TBI, Parkinson's — outcome measures + interventions
- PTD 802: Tendinopathy, ACL, OA — mechanism-based rehab
Professional development
- PTD 805: Teach one undergraduate PT course; syllabus design
- PTD 806: NIH/funding-agency format, budget, IRB
- PTD 903: Clinic management, advocacy, policy
Dissertation track
- Months 3–4: Identify mentor, literature review
- Months 6–7: Defend proposal in PTD 807
- Months 9–12: Data collection in PTD 901
- Month 13: Analysis, writing, defense in PTD 911
Internship (PTD 910) — 1 month, 160 hours
Choose one track:
- Clinical Research Internship: work in a biomechanics lab or randomized controlled trial
- Academic Internship: teaching + curriculum development at a university
- Advanced Clinical Internship: neuro or ortho specialty center with mentorship
Deliverable: internship portfolio + case/research report.
Assessment structure
- Coursework: 40% — exams, papers, presentations
- Research: 40% — dissertation proposal + dissertation
- Teaching/Practice: 10% — PTD 805 + PTD 910
- Seminars: 10% — PTD 705 + PTD 807
Graduation requirements
- Complete 48 credits with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Pass the comprehensive examination
- Defend the dissertation proposal
- Complete the PTD 910 internship
- Defend the dissertation (PTD 911)
