Transition DPT Program

UTHSC Program

The program will utilize a combination of short course format, independent study, and distance learning. This will allow the working clinician to gain additional knowledge in a short period of time and to be able to continue employment. For some of the courses, a prerequisite for the course may be completed via a continuing education seminar which is then enhanced through completion of assignments in a distance education format. For other courses, no seminar attendance may be required and all learning activities will be completed through distance learning. These courses may include assigned readings, videos, CD or DVD presentation, or via the Internet. Some courses that require the development of certain psychomotor skills will be offered as block scheduled courses on the UTHSC campus.

Program components for the BSPT Graduate (2 year program) from UTHSC
If the physical therapist graduated from the 2 year BSPT program (1987 – 2000) at UTHSC, this program will require a total of 38 semester hours. The therapist will be able to complete the program in approximately 1 –2 years while employed in a clinical or academic setting.

Components for the BSPT graduate from UTHSC

1.	Presentation of a portfolio of professional clinical and education experiences for review by the University. Based upon the portfolio review, the graduate may be granted up to 15 credit hours through the Portfolio portion of the application. Nine of these credit hours represent additional credit hours of clinical internship that are currently included in the DPT program. If the graduate has served as a clinical instructor for physical therapy students for a University, one credit hour can be substituted for the additional coursework in supervision that is included in the current DPT curriculum. If the graduate has evidence of competence in the content areas of the Research course sequence, the graduate may be granted exceptions for up to 6 semester credits. Coursework beyond entry level obtained at other universities may be used for degree completion and must have been completed within 7 years of admission to the doctoral program or, if older, be validated by contemporary activities demonstrating ongoing competency with the content.
2.	Required UTHSC Courses (17 hours)
	-	Motor Control, Motor Learning, Motor Development 2 credit hours
	-	Supervision in Physical Therapy 1 credit hour
	-	Pharmacology in Physical Therapy 1 credit hour
	-	Research Seminar 3 credit hours
	-	Fundamentals of Epidemiology 3 credit hours
	-	Applied Statistics 2 credit hours
	-	Kinesiology/Pathokinesiology II 2 credit hours
	-	Health and Wellness 3 credit hours
3.	Other Coursework (7- 9 hours)
		Fundamentals of Health Policy 3 credit hours Or Health Care Economics Physical Therapy Special Topic Courses 4 – 6 credit hours Clinical Gait Analysis Issues in Women’s Health Sports Physical Therapy Courses in MSPT or ScDPT program
4.	The schedule for a student who has been awarded competency credit will vary based upon which courses towards the degree completion will need to be taken. Students are given a maximum of 5 years from entrance into the program to complete all the degree requirements.

Program components for the BSPT Graduate (15 month program from UTHSC or graduate from BS program other than UTHSC)

If the physical therapist graduated from the 15 month BSPT program (1965 – 1986) at UTHSC or graduated from another baccalaureate program of any length , the therapist will need to take at least the 38 semester hours identified for the BSPT 2 year program graduate from UTHSC. The therapist also may be required to take other coursework based on an assessment of the physical therapy educational coursework completed by the applicant and his professional experiences. This assessment is done through an individualized transcript review and portfolio review. Coursework obtained at another university may be used for degree completion and must have been completed within 7 years of admission to the doctoral program or, if older, be validated by contemporary activities demonstrating ongoing competency with the content. However, in order to obtain a degree from the University of Tennessee (UT), students must have completed 30 hours of coursework at UT.

The schedule for a student who has been awarded competency credit will vary based upon which courses towards the degree completion will need to be taken. Students are given a maximum of 5 years from entrance into the program to complete all the degree requirements.

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