Independent Health Professions at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
Doctor of Philosophy in Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
The graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy offers an opportunity for highly qualified students to prepare for careers in academic health care. The curriculum is designed for individuals who envision a career that combines training for physical therapy practice and scholarly research.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree with a superior grade point average as well as Graduate Record Examinations scores. A personal interview with program faculty is required. Prerequisite course work must include: four courses in the biological sciences with labs (including human anatomy, human physiology and cell or molecular biology); one year of college physics with lab; one year of college chemistry with lab; one semester of college mathematics; two courses in psychology; one course in composition and writing; one course in literature or history. Courses that are highly recommended include: biochemistry, calculus, kinesiology, exercise physiology, neuroscience, genetics and a cross-cultural course in sociology.
Application for admission to the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy requires submission of two sets of materials: special division application and university application forms. Students are admitted for study in the Ph.D. in Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy program beginning in the fall semester of each academic year. Both sets of applications must be submitted by December 1 of the previous year. At the time of admission to the program, the student must identify a faculty member who will serve as an adviser throughout every phase of study.
Degree Requirements
This degree is under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations.
| Years 1, 2 – required courses | units | |
|---|---|---|
| PM 510L | Principles of Biostatistics | 4 |
| PM 511aL | Data Analysis | 4 |
| PT 507 | Professional Practice: Therapist Perspective | 2 |
| PT 509 | Cellular and Systems Physiology | 3 |
| PT 514L | Musculoskeletal Anatomy | 4 |
| PT 516 | Principles of Disease | 2 |
| PT 521L | Basics of Patient Management | 4 |
| PT 529 | Life Span Motor Control | 3 |
| PT 534L | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| PT 536 | Pathology of Cardiopulmonary Disease and General Medical Conditions | 3 |
| PT 539 | Clinical Pharmacology | 1 |
| PT 546 | Neuropathology | 3 |
| PT 547 | Professional Practice: System Perspective | 2 |
| PT 549L | Clinical Exercise Physiology | 4 |
| PT 551L | Therapeutic Applications of Physical Agents | 2 |
| PT 554L | Analytical Anatomy | 3 |
| PT 557 | Professional Practice: Patient Perspective | 2 |
| PT 566 | Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System | 3 |
| PT 569 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience | 4 |
| PT 571L | Clinical Management of Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction | 4 |
| PT 574 | Clinical Biomechanics | 3 |
| PT 581L | Clinical Management of the Patient with Neurological Dysfunction | 5 |
| PT 582 | Mechanics of Human Gait | 2 |
| PT 583L | Clinical Electrophysiology | 3 |
| PT 600abcdez | Clinical Clerkship | 1-3-1-1-3-0 |
| PT 621L | Clinical Management of the Patient with Musculoskeletal Dysfunction | 5 |
| Years 3, 4, 5 — required courses | units | |
|---|---|---|
| BKN 790 | Research | 1-12 |
| BKN 794abcdz | Dissertation | 2-2-2-2-0 |
| Year 6 — required courses | units | |
|---|---|---|
| PT 630 | Integrated Management of the Upper and Lower Extremities | 3 |
| PT 631 | Integrated Management of the Axial Skeletal System and Related Movement Disorders | 3 |
| PT 632 | Integrated Patient Management Seminar | 5 |
| PT 660 | Advanced Clerkship with Academic Integration | 5 |
| PT 665 | Advanced Clinical Clerkship | 8 |
A minimum of 116 units is required for completion of this program.
Estimated Calendar of Study
Basic and Clinical Science Foundation Courses (Years 1, 2)
The student will enroll in all required course work and clinical experiences excluding BKN 790, BKN 794abcdz, PT 630, PT 631, PT 632, PT 660 and PT 665.
Qualifying Exam (Year 3)
The student will select a qualifying exam committee and begin preparing a research proposal (register for BKN 790). During this time, the student is encouraged to enroll in key elective courses, both inside and outside the division, which will enhance research proposal development. The expectation is that the student will sit for the qualifying exam and achieve doctoral candidacy at the end of year three.
Research and Dissertation Preparation (Years 4, 5)
The student will complete the research project and prepare a dissertation (register for BKN 790 and BKN 794). The expectation is that the student will successfully defend the dissertation by the end of year five.
Completion of Internship Requirement (Year 6)
The student will complete the required internships to achieve clinical competency (register for PT 630, PT 631, PT 632, PT 660 and PT 665).