It is recommended that interested students attend an advisement session in the Physical Therapy Program during the spring, summer or fall semesters. Students may sign up for one of these sessions either by email or by phone. Students are admitted once a year, with classes beginning in the fall. The application deadline is October 15th.
Applicants who appear to be best qualified are invited for an interview. Final selection is 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.
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 39 credit hours of science prerequisites. Please contact the program or visit the Physical Therapy Program Web site for specific course requirements.
Only candidates with overall GPA and Science prerequisite grade point averages of 3.0 or higher are considered.
The professional program is eight semesters in length and begins with the fall session each year. Students take 120 credit hours 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.
This curriculum is in effect for students entering the program effective Fall 2017 and reflects changes to course titles and credit hours not in effect until the indicated semester.
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 $86,015.00, and for non-residents $122,300.00. The additional costs associated with all clinical education experiences, including transportation, room and board (approximately $1,600/rotation dependent on location), are borne by the student. Students are required to carry health insurance which is available through the University for a reasonable fee.
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. (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 D.P.T. program.
PT 506L. Musculoskeletal Intervention I [Orthopaedic Treatment I]. (2)
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. Musculoskeletal Concepts and Management I [Orthopedics I]. (5)
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. Musculoskeletal Concepts and Management II [Orthopedics II]. (6)
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 509L. Musculoskeletal Intervention II [Orthopaedic Treatment II]. (3)
This course addresses foundations for orthopedic treatment including exercise and physical agents. This class is designed around regional anatomy and follows both the anatomy and orthopedic evaluation courses.
Prerequisite: 506L.
Corequisite: 508L.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 511. Clinical Internship I. (6)
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 D.P.T. 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 I. (4)
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 D.P.T. program.
PT 522L. Anatomy II. (4)
This course involves dissection and study of the human body. Lecture materials highlight the nervous system including the cranial nerves, the vascular system and the muscular system of the upper extremities.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 534. Evidenced-Based Practice I. (2)
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 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 D.P.T. 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 D.P.T. program.
PT 607L. Neurological Evaluation and Treatment I [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 D.P.T. program.
PT 608L. Neurological Evaluation and Treatment II [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 D.P.T. program.
PT 610. Acute Care. (4 )
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. (6)
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 D.P.T. 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 613. Cardiopulmonary. (3)
This course gives an overview of normal cardiovascular and pulmonary function, cardiovascular and pulmonary-related pathologies, examination and evaluation procedures, diagnostic procedures, goal-setting, and interventions.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 622. Biopsychosocial Practice. (3)
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 D.P.T. program.
PT 632. Evidence-Based Practice II. (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 D.P.T. program.
PT 640. Gender Health. (2)
Enhances knowledge of evaluation, goal setting and treatments related to conditions that affect women or men preferentially. Specific topics include: pelvic floor disorders, prostate health, pregnancy, prenatal and postpartum care, sexual health, and domestic violence.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 650. Autonomous Practice. (3)
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 D.P.T. program.
PT 652. Clinical Internship III. (6)
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 D.P.T. program.
PT 653. Service Learning. (2)
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. (6)
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 D.P.T. 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 D.P.T. 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 D.P.T. program.
PT 670. Gerontology. (3)
In-depth study of evaluation and clinical management of the geriatric patient/client across the continuum of care.
Restriction: admission to D.P.T. program.
PT 680. Administration and Supervision I. (1-2)
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 D.P.T. program.
PT 685. Advanced Ortho Spine. (3)
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 Δ)
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 D.P.T. 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 D.P.T. 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.
PT 695. Special Topics in Physical Therapy. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Content varies, students may be registered for several sections concurrently. Registration by approval of the Physical Therapy Program director.
{Offered upon demand}
