It is recommended that interested students attend an advisement session in the Physical Therapy Program during the summer or fall semesters. Students may sign up for one of these sessions either on-line or by phone. Students are admitted once a year, with classes beginning in the fall. The application deadline is December 1 for PTCAS and December 15 for UNM Physical Therapy Program application.
Applicants who appear to be best qualified will be invited for an interview. Final selection will be made from the group of candidates interviewed. The program’s selection process does not discriminate against any student on the basis of gender, age, race, religion, creed or national group.
Information about general student services at the University of New Mexico, including financial aid, can be obtained by calling 1-800-CALL UNM (255-5866).
For further information, the program may be contacted at the address and phone number below:
Applicants to the program must have a degree at the baccalaureate level from an accredited university, including 35 credits of science prerequisites. Please contact the program or visit the Physical Therapy Program Web site for specific course requirements.
Only candidates with overall and prerequisite grade point averages of 3.0 or higher will be considered.
The professional program is nine semesters in length and begins with the fall session each year. Students take 120 credits of professional courses in the theory and practice of physical therapy and affiliate at clinical sites for professional experiences that are correlated with classroom activities. Professional courses are open only to those students that are admitted to the Physical Therapy Program.
In addition to satisfactory completion of the didactic portion of the curriculum, students must successfully prepare and present a Capstone Project. Included in the curriculum are 36 weeks of full time clinical practice. Hospital and health care facilities throughout New Mexico and a limited number of facilities outside the state are utilized in the clinical education experiences.
Students in the Physical Therapy program pay tuition based on full-time graduate status at UNM. Estimated tuition and course fee costs for resident students for three years is $35,550.00, and for non-residents $73,611.00. The estimated total for non-tuition expenses while in the program is approximately $12,900 (includes required personal computer). The additional costs associated with all clinical education experiences, including transportation, room and board (approximately $1000/rotation), are borne by the student. Students are required to carry health and professional liability insurance. Both types are available through the University for a reasonable fee.
Graduates of the UNM Masters in Physical Therapy (M.P.T.) degree program will be able to take the Degree Completion Track in order to earn their Doctorate in Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. Contact the Physical Therapy Program for details at either (505) 272-5755 or visit the Physical Therapy Program Web site.
Students will take a total of 16 credits, including 5 courses from the entry-level curriculum plus 4 additional courses.
Courses
PT 351. Clinical Exercise in Physical Therapy. . (3)
The physiology of the human body during exercise with emphasis on the cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular systems. Overview of selected pathological conditions of these systems relevant to the practice of physical therapy.
Prerequisite: BIOL 237 and BIOL 238.
PT 505. Foundations I. (5)
505. Foundations I. (5) This course addresses foundations for patient care that will be further developed in subsequent courses. Content includes principles of exercise physiology, documentation, professionalism, ethics, kinesiology, pathology, pharmacology, imaging, learning styles, mind/body, and therapeutic interventions.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 506L. Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation . (5)
Orthopaedic physical therapy treatment techniques including exercise-based treatments, soft tissue techniques and physical agents including electrical, electromagnetic, mechanical modalities.
Prerequisite: 505.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 507L. Orthopedics I. (5 [7])
Philosophy, process and techniques of patient examination and evaluation, including patient interview, systems review, differential diagnosis and neuromusculoskeletal assessment. Therapeutic interventions, including modalities, orthotics, manual therapy and therapeutic exercise will be addressed.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 508L. Orthopedics II. (6 [8])
Continuation of Orthopedics I, addressing remaining regions of the body. Final practical examination verifies skills and competencies for both courses at a level adequate to proceed to clinical placements.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 510. Management of Integumentary Dysfunction. (2 to a maximum of 4 Δ )
This course focuses on identification and management of integumentary pathologies obtained as primary injuries or secondary complications of other diseases. Various wound etiologies, burns, lymphedema and diseases with integumentary manifestations will be reviewed and discussed.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 511. Clinical Internship I. (5)
This course consists of one eight-week clinical internship. The student participates in examination, evaluation, formulation and implementation of the plan of care, discharge and documentation for patients/clients in an outpatient orthopedic setting.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 512. Patient Management and Clinical Decision Making I. (1)
This course allows the student to integrate recent clinical experiences with didactic knowledge and to foster inquiry and problem-solving in relation to patient cases. It will be conducted primarily in a small group discussion format.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 521L. Human Anatomy. (6)
Intensive study of the gross anatomy of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive and nervous systems. Integration of anatomical information provided in dissection and palpation laboratory.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 534. Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice. (2 [3])
Introduction to applied research for physical and occupational therapists. The central focus on this course is how information from physical and social science-based research is gathered, analyzed, reported and used to inform evidence-based practice.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 544. Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. (4)
Study of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and implications to physical therapy practice of common disease entities that affect the human body. Medical and pharmacological treatment and medication side effects will be addressed.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 545. Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy. (2)
Study of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and implications to physical therapy practice of common disease entities that affect the human body, with a focus on physical therapy differential diagnosis.
Restriction: admission to and enrollment in DPT program.
PT 546. Pharmacology for Physical Therapists. (2)
This course will prepare students to evaluate medications and the potential impact on physical therapy rehabilitation. Content in this course will be given in association with relevant D.P.T. courses.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 580. Prosthetics. (2)
This course provides students with knowledge and practical experience in the therapeutic area of prosthetics. Pathology and etiology of amputation as well as medical and therapeutic intervention for the amputee are included.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 607L. Neurologic Physical Therapy I. (8)
The purpose of this course is to continue the student’s education in neuroscience, add to their knowledge of various neurologic diseases and problems, and to explore the relationship of physical therapy to these neurological problems.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 608L. Neurologic Physical Therapy II. (8)
The purpose of this course is to enhance the student’s knowledge of physical therapy examination, evaluation, goal setting and interventions related to specific patient populations with a neurological diagnosis.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 609. Neuroscience. (1)
This course will provide the basic science background of current concepts in CNS neurochemical anatomy, pain and pain management, neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 610. Cardiopulmonary and Acute Care. (4 [5])
This course is designed to enable students to practice in an acute/critical care setting. Topics include cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and general acute care, including ICU equipment, lab values, pharmacology, evaluation, treatment and discharge planning.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 611. Clinical Internship II. (5)
This course consists of one eight-week clinical internship. The student participates in examination, evaluation, formulation and implementation of the plan of care, discharge and documentation for patients/clients in an acute care setting.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 612. Patient Management and Clinical Decision Making II. (1)
This course allows the student to integrate recent clinical experiences with didactic knowledge and to foster inquiry and problem-solving in relation to patient cases. It will be conducted primarily in a small group discussion format.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 620. Understanding Medical Imaging. (1)
This course addresses recognition of basic types of medical imaging including radiographs, MRI, CT, US, and bone scan; and choosing the appropriate imaging for a variety of pathologies common to PT practice.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 622. Psychosocial and Cultural Concepts I . (2)
The purpose of this course is to develop the student’s awareness of psychosocial and cultural issues of the health professional and the patient, necessary to provide optimal care to patients.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 623. Psychosocial and Cultural Concepts II. (2)
The purpose of this course is to further enhance the student’s awareness of psychosocial and cultural issues of the health professional and the patient that are necessary to provide optimal care to patients.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 624. Cultural Awareness. (1)
The course emphasizes the topic of culture, including the disabled culture, and cultural competence. Also included are smaller sections combining prior topics such as cultural issues, and death and dying.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 630. Pharmacology in Rehabilitation. (1)
Basic science background will provide the basis to understand the actions and side effects of specific medications that affect the CNS, muscle or endocrine systems, and how these may influence rehabilitation treatment strategies.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 632. Advanced Evidence-Based Practice. (2)
This course utilizes the application of search strategies and critical appraisal of research, including statistical interpretation to answer foreground and background clinical questions.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 640. Gender Health. (2)
The purpose of this course is to develop the student’s knowledge of physical therapy evaluation, goal setting and treatments related to specific issues of women’s health.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 650. Advanced Differential Diagnosis. (2)
Evaluation of the complex patient. Emphasis is on the ability to integrate and critically analyze patient examination results to identify systemic origins of neuromusculoskeletal pain and determine the need for medical or other referral.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 651. Patient Management and Clinical Decision Making III. (2)
This course focuses on integration of clinical and didactic knowledge; application of evidence-based practice; inquiry and problem-solving in relation to patient cases. It is conducted primarily in a small and large group discussion format.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 652. Clinical Internship III. (7)
One ten-week clinical internship. The student participates in screening, systems review, examination, evaluation, development and implementation of a plan of care, discharge procedures, scheduling, coordination of patient care activities and supervision of support personnel.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 653. Patient Management and Clinical Decision Making IV. (3)
This course allows the student to integrate recent clinical experiences with didactic knowledge and to foster inquiry and problem-solving in relation to patient cases. It will be conducted primarily in a small group discussion format.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 654. Clinical Internship IV. (7)
One ten-week clinical internship. The student participates in screening, systems review, examination, evaluation, development and implementation of a plan of care, discharge procedures, scheduling, coordination of patient care activities and supervision of support personnel.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 660. Health, Wellness and Fitness. (3)
Application of current models of physical therapy management related to assessment and promotion of health, wellness and fitness throughout adulthood.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 662L. Pediatrics. (5)
Application of current models of physical therapy management, including assessment and intervention, for children with various neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions during infancy, childhood and adolescence.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 670. Gerontology. (2 or 3)
In-depth study of evaluation and clinical management of the geriatric patient/client across the continuum of care.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 680. Organization and Administration. (2)
This course will prepare students to practice in an increasingly complex health care delivery system. Emphasis includes personnel supervision, practice regulatory and legal requirement issues, reimbursement, litigation, and ethics related to service delivery.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 681. Administration and Supervision II. (1)
This course engages the student in advanced administrative, professional and management concepts, including principles of financial management, establishment of a business plan, marketing and PR, professional advocacy, and involvement in the legislative and political processes.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 685. Advanced Spinal Manipulation. (3 [2])
This course will look at advanced spine evaluation and treatment with emphasis on diagnosis, muscle energy and thrust techniques as well as therapeutic exercise as it relates to mechanical spinal pain.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 691. Capstone Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 ∆)
This course is the academic home for a comprehensive evidence-based practice project that definitively, and in a completely supported manner, answers a focused clinical question. A comprehensive paper and platform presentation are required.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 692. Board Preparation. (1)
An intensive overview of test-taking and study strategies and review of all major content areas in the National Physical Therapy Exam.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admission to DPT program.
PT 694. Physical Therapy Independent Study. (1-7)
This course is a supervised independent study for students to complete an elective academic experience of relevance to physical therapy or to complete a course required for graduation, such as a clinical internship.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
