Curriculum

The FIU Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curriculum features a progressive, problem-oriented approach and includes rigorous coverage of the full range of basic medical and clinical sciences, hands-on skills and research relevant to the current practice of physical therapy.

We’re excited to announce updates to our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program curriculum designed to help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently. Our curriculum has been streamlined without compromising quality, allowing you to complete your degree in less time, reducing housing and living expenses.

In addition, we now offer a 5–6 week, stand-alone, comprehensive exam course during Summer A of your third year (PHT 6961 Comprehensive Exam II), final semester, specifically designed to prepare you for the NPTE board exam. With this structure, students are eligible to sit for the NPTE as early as July, positioning you to successfully pass on your first attempt and enter the workforce sooner.

Courses & Syllabi

Visit the FIU Catalog for full course descriptions and program requirements

Navigate to the current academic year
Enter the Course Code in the “Search Bar” OR select “Graduate”
Select “Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences”

Doctor in Physical Therapy Curriculum as of Fall of 2025

Fall Semester 1: (15 Credits)

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 5070	Principles of Diagnostic Imaging	1
PHT 5174	Analysis of Movement and Function	3
PHT 5174L	Analysis of Movement and Function Lab	1
PHT 5244C	Principles of Therapeutic Exercise	3
PHT 5523	Dimensions of Professional Practice Seminar I	3
PHT 5180	Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management I	3
PHT 5180L	Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management I Lab	1

Spring Semester 1: (12 Credits)

Course #	Description	Credits
PHT 5181	Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management II	3
PHT 5181L	Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management II Lab	1
PHT 5205	Clinical Skills	3
PHT 5205L	Clinical Skills Lab	1
PHT 6725L	Orthopedic Tests and Measures	1
PHT 6125	Clinical Biomechanics	3

Summer Semester 1: (13 Credits)

Course #	Description	Credits
PHT 5027	Clinical Education Seminar	1
PHT 5182	Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management III	3
PHT 5182L	Musculoskeletal Diagnosis & Management III Lab	1
PHT 6165C	Applied Clinical Neuroanatomy	3
PHT 5303	Principles of Pathophysiology in Physical Therapy	3
PHT 6353	Principles of Diagnostics and Pharmacology in Physical Therapy	2

Fall Semester 2: (14 Credits) (Fall A/B- 8 weeks each)

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 6163	Neurorehabilitation Diagnosis & Management I Lecture	3
PHT 6163L	Neurorehabilitation Diagnosis & Management I Lab	1
PHT 6625	Advanced Physical Therapy Clinical Research Methodologies and Design	3
PHT 6341	Diagnosis and Management of Disease	3
PHT 6341L	Diagnosis and Management of Disease Lab	1
PHT 5805	Clinical Internship I (8 weeks)	3

Spring Semester 2: (15 Credits) (Spring A/B- 8 weeks each)

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 6164	Neurorehabilitation Diagnosis & Management II Lecture	3
PHT6164L	Neurorehabilitation Diagnosis & Management II Lab	1
PHT 6381	Diagnosis and Management of Cardiopulmonary Systems Lecture	3
PHT 6381L	Diagnosis and Management of Cardiopulmonary Systems Lab	1
PHT 6970C	DPT Project I	3
PHT 6547C	Case Management in Physical Therapy I	1
PHT 6817	Clinical Internship II (8 weeks)	3

**No Spring Break**

Summer Semester 2: (14 Credits)

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 5373	Advanced Therapy Assessment of the Elderly	3
PHT 6169	Neurorehabilitation Diagnosis & Management III Lecture	3
PHT 6169L	Neurorehabilitation Diagnosis & Management III Lab	1
PHT 6127	Advanced Pathological Movement Analysis	3
PHT 6972C	DPT Project II	3
PHT 5336C	Theories in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation	1

Fall Semester 3: (13 Credits) (Fall A/B- 8 weeks each)

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 6009	Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy	3
PHT 6973C	DPT Project III	3
PHT 6548C	Case Management in Physical Therapy II	1
PHT 6325	Advanced Clinical Pediatric Physical Therapy	3
PHT 6827	Clinical Internship III (8 weeks)	3

Spring Semester 3: (14 Credits) (Spring A/B- 8 weeks each)

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 6716C	Advanced Orthopedics	3
PHT 5639	Physical Therapy Administrative Techniques and Methods	1
PHT 5960	Comprehensive Exam I	3
PHT 6549C	Case Management in Physical Therapy III	1
PHT 5505C	Physical Therapy Constructs in Health and Wellness	3
PHT 6828	Clinical Internship IV (8 weeks)	3

Summer Semester 3: (3 Credits) (Summer A- 6weeks- Live NPTE prep course)
**Eligible to Test in July**

Course#	Description	Credits
PHT 6961	Comprehensive Exam II	3

The above curriculum schedule is subject to change.

DPT Project

You have three semesters of DPT project. You will be assigned to a faculty member to assist in their research. Please remember that there is no assigned time for this course so please work closely with your faculty mentor to make sure you are available when requested. Plan your work around the course and not the course around your work. The culmination of this research experience will be a paper formatted for publication and/or oral/poster presentation of your work.

Graduation

Students may apply for graduation in accordance with university-wide procedures.

The Chair, or his or her designee, will support the application if the student shows evidence of the ability to complete their program of studies by the graduation date applied for.

Informed consent relative to participation in instructional activities.

Students are required to participate in lecture-demonstrations, laboratory classes, clinical observation, and participation in clinical treatments as part of their training to become physical therapists. Many of these activities may pose more than a trivial risk to students’ physical and/or mental health and comfort.

Students should expect to come into close physical contact with fellow students as well as wear clothing that maximizes exposure while maintaining modesty.

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