Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy program is a professional program leading to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who are movement experts who improve quality of life by prescribing exercise, incorporating hands-on care, and patient education.
The professional curriculum is 8 semesters in duration, 105 credits, and includes 34 weeks of full-time clinical education over 4 separate rotations. The rotations are 6, 8, 8 & 12 weeks in duration. Students complete these rotations at a variety of clinical sites (e.g. acute care, long term rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedic, etc.). The program has been designed to meet all requirements associated with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
To practice physical therapy, students must be licensed in the state in which they desire to practice. To obtain licensure, students must graduate from an accredited program and pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE).
Effective April 25, 2023, Colorado Mesa University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 970-248-2266 or email dptprogram@coloradomesa.edu.
Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.
Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT's website).
Contact Information
Physical Therapy Program
112 St. Mary's Medical Education Center
970.248.2266
PHYT 500 Anatomy3 Credits
Introduction to advanced concepts in gross anatomy, anatomical relationships, and spatial orientation of normal anatomic structures and common anatomic variations.
Prerequisites: Admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Corequisites: PHYT 500L.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Fees: Yes.
PHYT 500L Anatomy Laboratory1 Credit
Introduction to advanced concepts in gross anatomy, anatomical relationships, and spatial orientation of normal anatomic structures and common anatomic variations. Laboratory experience accompanying PHYT 500.
Prerequisites: Admission into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Corequisites: PHYT 500.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 501 Histology1 Credit
Exploration of the basic cytology and histology of the human organism.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 502 Physiology3 Credits
In-depth study of the normal functions and systems of the human body. Living processes are discussed at all hierarchical levels, molecular through organismic.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 503 Kinesiology-Biomechanics I3 Credits
Analysis of normal human movement with detailed assessment of joint kinematics and kinetics.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Corequisites: PHYT 503L.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Fees: Yes.
PHYT 503L Kinesiology-Biomechanics I Laboratory1 Credit
Analysis of normal human movement with detailed assessment of joint kinematics and kinetics. Laboratory experience accompanying PHYT 503.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Corequisites: PHYT 503.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 504 Kinesiology-Biomechanics II3 Credits
Continuation of kinesiology with analysis of normal human movement and detailed assessment of joint kinematics and kinetics.
Prerequisites: PHYT 500/PHYT 500L and PHYT 503/PHYT 503L.
Corequisites: PHYT 504L.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 504L Kinesiology-Biomechanics II Laboratory1 Credit
Continuation of kinesiology with analysis of normal human movement and detailed assessment of joint kinematics and kinetics. Laboratory experience accompanying PHYT 504.
Prerequisites: PHYT 500/PHYT 500L and PHYT 503/PHYT 503L.
Corequisites: PHYT 504.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 505 Essential Skills and Laboratory3 Credits
Introduction to patient management, basic physical therapy procedures, and examination measures commonly used in physical therapy practice.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Fees: Yes.
PHYT 506 Professional Practice Considerations I1 Credit
Exploration of professional ethics, values and responsibilities associated with physical therapy practice. Best practices for effectively educating others will also be introduced.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 507 Professional Practice Considerations II2 Credits
Introduction to clinical reasoning and decision making, the ICF (International Classification of Functioning) model, the elements of patient/client management, documentation, and how to respond to emergencies in one’s practice environment.
Prerequisites: PHYT 506.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 509 Musculoskeletal Conditions I and Laboratory3 Credits
Examination, evaluation, and intervention strategies for common musculoskeletal disorders affecting the spine.
Prerequisites: PHYT 500/PHYT 500L and PHYT 503/PHYT 503L.
Corequisites: PHYT 504 and PHYT 504L.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 510 Musculoskeletal Conditions II and Laboratory3 Credits
Examination, evaluation, and intervention strategies for common musculoskeletal disorders affecting the lower extremity.
Prerequisites: PHYT 509.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 511 Musculoskeletal Conditions III and Laboratory3 Credits
Examination, evaluation, and intervention strategies for common musculoskeletal disorders affecting the upper extremity.
Prerequisites: PHYT 509.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 512 Research I: Evidence-Based Practice3 Credits
Introduction to research methods with practical application concerning how to best integrate evidence into clinical practice.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 513 Research II: Applied Statistics3 Credits
Analysis of common research designs and statistics used in the contemporary physical therapy literature.
Prerequisites: PHYT 512.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 514 Diagnostic Imaging2 Credits
Introduction to the fundamentals of musculoskeletal imaging.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 515 Therapeutic Modalities2 Credits
Exploration of the electrophysiologic agents used to treat patients in clinical practice.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Corequisites: PHYT 515L.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Fees: Yes.
PHYT 515L Therapeutic Modalities Laboratory1 Credit
Exploration of the electrophysiologic agents used to treat patients in clinical practice. Laboratory experience accompanying PHYT 515.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Corequisites: PHYT 515.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 516 Pharmacology for Physical Therapy2 Credits
Exploration of the primary drug classes and the physiologic basis of their action.
Prerequisites: PHYT 502.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 517 Neuroscience3 Credits
Orientation to the elements of the nervous system and how those elements interact to produce behavior.
Prerequisites: PHYT 501 and PHYT 502.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 593 Capstone I2 Credits
Application of evidence-based principles to develop a clinical question dealing with diagnosis or intervention. Once identified, students will initiate a literature review to gather evidence to answer the clinical question.
Prerequisites: PHYT 513.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 599 Clinical Education I3 Credits
Participation in full-time physical therapy practice under the direction of a licensed physical therapist at an assigned health care facility. Concentration of development of clinical skills as a novice clinician with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: PHYT 600/PHYT 600L, PHYT 601, PHYT 604, PHYT 605, PHYT 606, and PHYT 607 as well as successful completion of the Matriculation Exam.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 600 Exercise Physiology2 Credits
Exploration of the effects of various types of exercise upon human body structure and function in healthy persons and those with select health conditions.
Prerequisites: PHYT 502.
Corequisites: PHYT 600L.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Fees: Yes.
PHYT 600L Exercise Physiology Laboratory1 Credit
Exploration of the effects of various types of exercise upon human body structure and function in healthy persons and those with select health conditions. Laboratory experience accompanying PHYT 600.
Prerequisites: PHYT 502.
Corequisites: PHYT 600.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 601 Neuromuscular Conditions I and Laboratory3 Credits
Examination, evaluation, and intervention strategies of neurologic disorders affecting adults.
Prerequisites: PHYT 517.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
PHYT 602 Neuromuscular Conditions II and Laboratory3 Credits
Continuation of the Neuromuscular course series. Focus is on examination, evaluation and intervention strategies of neurologic disorders affecting adults.
Prerequisites: PHYT 601.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 603 Neuromuscular Conditions III and Laboratory3 Credits
Continuation of the Neuromuscular course series. Focus is on providing physical therapy services for patients with neuromuscular diseases and injury as well as incorporating the use of assistive technology and specialized techniques during rehabilitation.
Prerequisites: PHYT 602.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 604 Medical and Surgical Conditions3 Credits
Overview of the principles of pathology as it applies to the various systems, diagnoses, and conditions that patients exhibit.
Prerequisites: PHYT 517.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 605 Lifespan I: Pediatrics and Laboratory3 Credits
Provides foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities related to care of the pediatric patient/client.
Prerequisites: PHYT 504/PHYT 504L and PHYT 517.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 606 Lifespan II: Geriatrics2 Credits
Foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities related to care of the geriatric patient/client.
Prerequisites: PHYT 504/PHYT 504L.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 607 Therapeutic Exercise and Laboratory3 Credits
In-depth exploration of the theory and practical application of therapeutic exercise for patients with impairments categorized by body region.
Prerequisites: PHYT 504/PHYT 504L.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 608 Professional Practice Considerations III2 Credits
Exploration of administration, management, finance, and law as it relates to physical therapy practice.
Prerequisites: PHYT 507.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 609 Professional Practice Considerations IV2 Credits
Exploration of communication and teaching/learning in physical therapy as well as a detailed analysis of the psychosocial aspects of health and disability.
Prerequisites: PHYT 608.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 610 Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Conditions and Laboratory3 Credits
Examination, evaluation, and intervention for the patient/client with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary impairment.
Prerequisites: PHYT 600/PHYT 600L.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 611 Differential Diagnosis and Laboratory3 Credits
Exposure to a systematic clinical process to differentially diagnose and triage conditions that may present in a clinical encounter across physical therapy practice settings.
Prerequisites: PHYT 604.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 612 Prosthetics-Orthotics and Laboratory3 Credits
Comprehensive review of normal and pathologic gait, limb prostheses, the pre-prosthetic and prosthetic training phases of rehabilitation for patients with amputations as well as an introduction to limb orthotics.
Prerequisites: PHYT 599.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 693 Capstone II2 Credits
Continuation and refinement of the literature review initiated in PHYT 593. The previously identified clinical question will be answered using the format of a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT). Results will be presented to Physical Therapy faculty and students.
Prerequisites: PHYT 593.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 694 Interprofessional Education Seminar1 Credit
Exploration and engagement with other students from professional programs with the intent of cultivating collaborative practice in an effort to provide patient-centered care.
Prerequisites: PHYT 599.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PHYT 699 Clinical Education II4 Credits
Participation in full-time physical therapy practice under the direction of a licensed physical therapist at an assigned health care facility. Concentration of development of clinical skills as an intermediate clinician with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: PHYT 599.
Corequisites: PHYT 799.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
PHYT 793 Clinical Education IV6 Credits
Participation in full-time physical therapy practice under the direction of a licensed physical therapist at an assigned health care facility. Concentration of development of clinical skills as a competent entry-level clinician with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: PHYT 799.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
PHYT 799 Clinical Education III4 Credits
Participation in full-time physical therapy practice under the direction of a licensed physical therapist at an assigned health care facility. Concentration of development of clinical skills as an advanced clinician with focus on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking.
Prerequisites: PHYT 599.
Corequisites: PHYT 699.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.