Our DPT curriculum is designed to progress from foundational skills to advanced practice, transforming critical thinking into clinical reasoning.
Mount St. Joseph University delivers high-quality academics, hands-on experiential learning and individualized attention from faculty and staff who are devoted to the success of students. We do so while consistently living a culture of ethics and service.
The Mount’s DPT Program is a 107 credit hour, 8 semester, 2.5 year curriculum that builds as students develop.
The first 2 semesters present foundational knowledge from which students can build initial clinical skills, culminating in their application during 4 weeks of full-time clinical education. The second year advanced clinical courses, organized by practice pattern and patient population, build from that foundation. The curriculum culminates in 36 weeks of full-time clinical education at 4 unique placements, giving students an unmatched depth and breadth of experience on which to build their career readiness.
MSJ DPT Curriculum Plan
Credit Hours:
107 credit hours over 8 semesters (2.5 years)
| CREDIT HOURS | THEME |
| 15 | Foundational Sciences series |
| 5 | Research and Evidence-based Practice series |
| 15 | Professionalism and Healthcare series |
| 14 | Introductory Clinical Skills and Reasoning series |
| 36 | Advanced Clinical Skills and Reasoning series |
| 22 | Direct Patient Care series (full-time work in healthcare – 40 weeks) |
MSJ DPT Curriculum Plan
Fall (18 credit hours)
- PT 602: Clinical Anatomy and Neuroscience (7)
- PT 605: Clinical Physiology (4)
- PT 607: Professional Socialization (3)
- PT 608: Biomechanics and Kinesiology (4)
Spring (16 credit hours)
- PT 610: Patient Care Skills (3)
- PT 612: Basic Exam & Evaluation (5)
- PT 615: Therapeutic Interventions (6)
- PT 617: Professional Practice I (2)
Summer (12 credit hours)
- PT 680: Introductory Clinical Education Experience (2)
- PT 627: Professional Practice II (3)
- PT 628: Research (4)
- PT 670: Administration & Management (3)
- PT 671: Leadership Development (1)
Fall (16 credit hours)
- PT 710: Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary I (3)
- PT 720: Musculoskeletal I (6)
- PT 740: Neuromuscular I (4)
- PT 750: Pediatrics (3)
Spring (16 credit hours)
- PT 711: Cardiopulmonary & Integumentary II (3)
- PT 721: Musculoskeletal II (6)
- PT 741: Neuromuscular Rehabilitation II (3)
- PT 751: Geriatrics (3)
- PT 760: Clinical Reasoning (1)
Summer (8 credit hours)
- PT 760: Professional Identity and Reflective Practice (1)
- PT 738: Evidence-Informed Practice (1)
- PT 772: Healthcare Systems (3)
- PT 775/6: Advanced Practice Electives (3)
Fall (11 credit hours)
- PT 881: Clinical Education Experience I (5)
- PT 882: Clinical Education Experience II (5)
- PT 828: Professional Development (1)
Spring (10 credit hours)
- PT 883: Clinical Education Experience III (5)
- PT 884: Clinical Education Experience IV (5)
DPT students get hands-on experience through integrated and terminal clinicals in various healthcare facilities.
DPT students get practical experience through short-term and long-term clinical experiences, totaling 40 full-time weeks of clinical education in a variety of practice settings. The University maintains contracts with over 300 clinical organizations to provide diverse practical experiences for students.
The majority of clinical sites are located within Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. However, students should expect to travel outside of the Greater Cincinnati area for at least one clinical experience. It is important for students to participate in a stimulating and diverse clinical experiences therefore, the MSJ DPT Clinical Education Network includes facilities in all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Availability of specific clinical sites varies from year to year. Prospective students should be aware that physical therapy interns pay tuition during their rotations and very few clinical sites are able to offer stipends.
The University is always looking to add new clinical partners who can offer unique, high-quality, intentional clinical education opportunities for students. Faculty, students, alumni, or clinical facilities should contact Director of Clinical Education, Jamie Bayliss at (513) 244-4647 or by email to recommend a clinical partner organization for the MSJ DPT Clinical Education Network.
CCIP Courses
Check back in the Fall, please contact Erin.Hofmeyer@msj.edu if you are interested in either a Level 1 or Level 2 CCIP course.