The Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum includes eight semesters of coursework and clinical experiences distributed over 30 months. Information and resources for PT students are listed below. For information and resources for Clinical Instructors, please click here.
Clinical Education Calendar
| Year 1 | Events |
|---|---|
| Spring | Part-time clinical experiences associated with academic courses |
| Year 2 | Events |
|---|---|
| Summer | Part-time clinical experiences associated with academic courses |
| Fall | Full-time, 5-week clinical experience mid-November to mid-December |
| Spring | Part-time clinical experiences, simulation and client lab associated with academic courses |
| Year 3 | Events |
|---|---|
| Summer | Full-time, 10-week clinical experience late March to early June |
| Full-time, 10-week clinical experience mid-June to mid-August | |
| Fall | Full-time, 9-week clinical experience late August to late October |
Physical Therapy Clinical Experience Requirements
DPT students engage in 4 full-time clinical experiences, ranging from 5 weeks to 10 weeks in length for a total of 34 weeks of full-time experiences.
Full-time DPT clinical experiences are meant to prepare all Rockhurst DPT graduates to practice across a range of settings with individuals across the lifespan. To adequately prepare students to practice across a variety of settings, students are required to complete a clinical experience of 5 weeks or longer in an inpatient adult setting and another clinical experience of 9 weeks or longer in an outpatient adult setting. Students also need to be prepared to complete one 9- or 10-week full-time clinical experience outside the Kansas City metropolitan area.
PT Matching Process
All students submit preferences for upcoming clinical experiences prior to assignments being made. The matching process includes a review of student preferences, matches via computer software and a review of all CE matches by the faculty and clinical education team. . Student clinical experience assignments are based on a range of factors specific to the student and the site. The faculty work to ensure all students experience a range of practice settings to prepare them to successfully secure employment after graduation.
DPT Curriculum
Student Clinical Education FAQs
How many and how long are the clinical experiences?
DPT students engage in 4 full-time experiences, ranging from 5 weeks to 10 weeks in length for a total of 34 weeks of full-time experiences.
Where are your clinical experiences located?
The Department of Physical Therapy Education has contracts with over 500 clinical sites in 43 states. Well over 50% of our clinical sites are located in Kansas, Missouri, and the surrounding states. We pursue contracts with new sites based on a variety of factors, including student, faculty, alumni, and area clinician recommendations.