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Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Information

Program Location Center for Graduate Studies
Program Credits 133 credits
Program Length* 9 Trimesters, 135 Instructional Weeks
Time to Complete 36 Months

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-1123.00

Program Mission: The mission of West Coast University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is to provide a student-centric education that prepares graduates for caring, innovative, interdisciplinary, evidence-based approaches to patient-centered care.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Each student will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and professional behaviors in order to:

  1. Provide professional physical therapy services to diverse populations consistent with American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) standards.
  2. Perform autonomous entry-level physical therapy skills in a safe manner.
  3. Facilitate culturally sensitive communication using consultative and collaborative skills as a part of the health care team.
  4. Design evidence-based physical therapy treatment plans using clinical reasoning for optimal patient-centered care.
  5. Exercise professional conduct that is consistent with the ethical and legal practice of physical therapy.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Transfer Credit

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program does not allow transfer credit.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Candidate Seat Deposit

Applicants are conditionally accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program until a non-refundable $250.00 good faith payment for a Seat Deposit has been submitted. The Seat Deposit is not a separate charge but will be credited to the program costs should the student not cancel their enrollment. The University will retain the full amount of this deposit should the student cancel their enrollment at any time, for any reason. Seat Deposits may be paid by credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier's check made payable to West Coast University. A Seat Deposit will be collected for each enrollment and cannot be applied to or carried over to enrollments for other programs or start terms. At their discretion, the Executive Director may refund the full Seat Deposit for unusual or unexpected circumstances that would warrant a full refund.

Health Insurance Requirement

Students enrolled in the DPT program will be required to provide evidence of health insurance during their education at West Coast University. Students are required to carry and maintain personal health insurance during their entire tenure.

For accreditation information please see the Accreditation and Approvals section.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program must:

1.  Have obtained a bachelor's degree and specific prerequisite courses from a regionally accredited institution.
2.  Applicants must have achieved a minimum 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the last 60 semester units at the undergraduate level, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in program prerequisite courses (from accredited universities) within the last ten years and with a grade of a C or better.

3.  Required prerequisite courses:

  • One (1) course in Statistics (three semester credit hours).
  • One (1) course in Human Anatomy (four semester credit hours including a lab, for science majors).
  • One (1) course in Human physiology (four semester credit hours including a lab, for science majors).
  • Two (2) courses in Physics (four semester credit hours each including labs, for science majors).
  • Two (2) courses in Chemistry (four semester credit hours each including labs, for science majors).
  • One (1) course in biology (at least three semester credit hours).
  • Six semester credit hours in the behavioral sciences (Life span development is one of the preferred courses).

4.  Applicants must take the GRE and provide evidence of completion.  Please submit your official GRE scores through ETS to institution/school code 4358. The GRE must have been completed within the last 5 years (GRE scores are reportable for 5 years following the test date).

5. Applicants must provide signed proof of having achieved 40 hours of clinical observation in a clinical setting.

6. Applicants must submit 2 letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member and one from a physical therapist).

7. Applicants must have an interview with the Admissions Committee.  

8. Submit a completed application for admission with all admissions requirements through the Centralized Application Service for Physical Therapy system (PTCAS).

Additional Requirement
One (1) course in Medical Terminology (certificate acceptable as well) - this is a requirement based upon acceptance into the program, not a prerequisite.

Tuition and Fees

Please see the Graduate Tuition and Fees section for cost information.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum

PT 700Physical Therapy Professionalism

2
PT 701Foundation Sciences: Human Anatomy

4
PT 704Clinical Skills I: Foundations of Physical Therapy Practice

4
PT 706Ethicolegal Issues in Healthcare and IPE Collaboration

3
PT 707Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I

5
PT 708Cardiopulmonary and Vascular Physical Therapy

3
PT 710The Socio-Cultural Aspects of Human Interaction

2
PT 712Neuromuscular Physical Therapy I

5
PT 713Foundation Sciences: Neuroscience I

3
PT 714Clinical Skills II: Physical Therapy Examination

3
PT 716Critical Inquiry: Research Methods and Biostatistics

3
PT 717Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy II

5
PT 728Evidence-Based Concepts of Musculoskeletal Imaging

2
PT 719Physical Therapy Experience

5
PT 720Foundation Sciences: Applied Biomechanics

2
PT 722Neuromuscular Physical Therapy II

5
PT 723Interprofessional Healthcare

1
PT 724Clinical Skills III: Therapeutic Exercise and Physical Agents

4
PT 725Evidence-Based Practice I

2
PT 726Foundational Sciences: Kinesiology/Pathomechanics

4
PT 729Clinical Internship I

13
PT 730Introduction to Management, Advocacy and Health Promotion

2
PT 731Foundation Sciences: Physiology/Histology

4
PT 732Pharmacotherapy

3
PT 734Clinical Skills IV: Physical Therapy Evaluation I: Focused Guidance

3
PT 735Evidence-Based Practice II

2
PT 739Clinical Internship II

13
PT 740Prosthetics and Orthotics

2
PT 743Foundation Sciences: Neuroscience II

3
PT 744Clinical Skills V: Physical Therapy Evaluation II: Independent Evaluation

3
PT 749Clinical Internship III

13
PT 751Foundation Sciences: Pathophysiology

3
Total Credit Hours:133

Doctor of Physical Therapy Curriculum-Electives

Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must choose one (1) elective. 

PT 780Advanced Physical Therapy Research

2
PT 781Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy

2
PT 782Advanced Neuromuscular Physical Therapy

2
PT 783Advanced Pediatric Physical Therapy

2
PT 784Advanced Cross-Cultural Service Learning

2

Total Credit Hours: 133

Total Credit Hours: 133