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 mid-October.
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 36 credit hours of science prerequisites. Contact the program or visit the Physical Therapy Program Web site for specific course requirements.
The professional program is eight semesters in length and begins with the fall session each year. Students take 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 2020 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 $92,405.44, and for non-residents $130,257.80. The additional costs associated with all clinical education experiences, including transportation, room and board (approximately $3,600/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 2210 and BIOL 2225.
PT 505. Foundations. (3)
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 506L. Musculoskeletal Intervention 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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 507L. Musculoskeletal Concepts and Management I. (4)
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 508L. Musculoskeletal Concepts and Management 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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 509L. Musculoskeletal Intervention 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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 511. Clinical Education Experience I [Clinical Internship I]. (6)
Nine-week clinical education experience provides opportunity to participate in screening, systems review, examination, evaluation, formulation, implementation/modification of plan of care, discharge procedures, scheduling, coordination of patient care activities, supervision of support personnel, documentation for patients/clients.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 512. Professional Patient Management [Patient Management and Clinical Decision Making I]. (1)
The purpose of this course is to gain practice with effective communication techniques prior to the first clinical education experience.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 550. Pathophysiology. (2)
Study of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and implications to physical therapy practice of common disease entities that affect the human body.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 605L. Management of Neurologic Dysfunction IV. (4)
Students learn cognitive, observational, psychomotor skills necessary to examine, manage patients with neurologic dysfunction with an emphasis on adults with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 606L. Management of Neurologic Dysfunction I. (4)
This course introduces the student to neuroscience and neuropathology and illustrate the correlations with clinical practice. The student will learn cognitive, observational, and psychomotor skills necessary to assess, treat and manage adults with neurologic dysfunction.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 608L. Management of Neurologic Dysfunction III. (8)
Enhances content from 606L and 609L. Students learn cognitive, observational, psychomotor skills necessary to examine, manage patients with neurologic dysfunction with an emphasis on adults with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 609L. Management of Neurologic Dysfunction II. (4)
This course introduces the student to neuroanatomy and neuropathology and illustrate the correlations to clinical practice. The student will learn cognitive, observational and psychomotor skills necessary to assess and manage adults with neurologic dysfunction.
Prerequisite: 606L.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 611. Clinical Education Experience II [Clinical Internship II]. (6)
Nine-week clinical education experience provides opportunity to participate in screening, systems review, examination, evaluation, formulation, implementation/modification of plan of care, discharge procedures, scheduling, coordination of patient care activities, supervision of support personnel, documentation for patients/clients.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 650. Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy. (3)
Evaluation of the complex patient, with an emphasis 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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 652. Clinical Education Experience III [Clinical Internship III]. (6)
Nine-week clinical education experience provides opportunity to participate in screening, systems review, examination, evaluation, formulation, implementation/modification of plan of care, discharge procedures, scheduling, coordination of patient care activities, supervision of support personnel, documentation for patients/clients.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 653. Service and Interprofessional Learning [Service Learning]. (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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 654. Clinical Education Experience IV [Clinical Internship IV]. (6)
Ten-week clinical education experience provides opportunity to participate in screening, systems review, examination, evaluation, formulation, implementation/modification of plan of care, discharge procedures, scheduling, coordination of patient care activities, supervision of support personnel, documentation for patients/clients.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 670. Gerontology. (3)
In-depth study of evaluation and clinical management of the geriatric patient/client across the continuum of care.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
PT 693. Integrated Clinical Experiences. (1, may be repeated three times Δ)
This course is conducted at REACH clinic, a laboratory clinical setting, with a faculty mentor. Students give short presentations summarizing the presentation of their patients, the chosen interventions, and the plan of care and goals.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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: admitted to D.P.T. Physical Therapy.
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}
