DPT Curriculum
Spanning a duration of three years across nine semesters, the curriculum is structured with three semesters per year—spring, summer, and fall. These semesters are intricately segmented into five distinct categories: Foundational Sciences, comprising both basic and applied sciences; Clinical Management, which delves into patient/client management; Behavioral & Professional Sciences, encompassing psychosocial aspects, teaching methodologies, and professional behavior skills; Critical Inquiry & Research Science; and finally, Clinical Education. This curriculum model seamlessly blends traditional foundational courses with clinical management components, strategically organized around a comprehensive systems-based approach using a "spiral curriculum" that reinforces material learned earlier in the curriculum while scaffolding additional knowledge essential for practice.
Additionally, WSSU DPT students are immersed in a cycle of "experiential learning" through collaboration with others in contextual learning environments that engage them socially, intellectually, and physically, beginning in the laboratory environment of the classroom. Students progress from the laboratory environment in the classroom in semester 1, to actively engaging in community-based experiential learning through engagement in fall screening, community-based pro-bono clinics, and digital learning projects. Experiential learning is also emphasized through active experimentation with the process of research with student research groups generating and presenting new evidence. Community engagement is essential to our process in that it helps learners consider the sociocultural and social spacial aspects of learning including psychosocial aspects of health, social determinants of health, and health systems delivery processes.
The contemporary practice of Physical Therapy is emphasized within the DPT curriculum using a systems approach that focuses first on the basic foundations of science, moves to the clinical complexities of clinical sciences, and culminates with students as producers of evidence in the research curriculum. Contemporary practice is emphasized in the curriculum by faculty who are ABPTS-certified clinical specialists who teach in their specialty areas and who are engaged in contemporary physical therapist practice.
Winston-Salem State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program
strives to move society towards optimal health by developing
and empowering diverse leaders in physical therapy.
Winston-Salem State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program
prepares graduates who are knowledgeable movement clinicians,
culturally humble, equity-minded, and service-oriented.
The WSSU Doctor of Physical Therapy program strives to prepare graduates who will deliver both primary and interdisciplinary health care to diverse populations within a variety of practice settings and healthcare delivery systems. In keeping with the institutional and department missions, the Department of Physical Therapy will develop practitioners who promote its core values of:
- Social and Professional Responsibility
- Integrity
- Cultural Competency and Humility
- Leadership
- Personal and Professional Development
- Scholarship and Evidence-Based Practice
- Interprofessional Practice
- Students will engage in critical inquiry to address questions related to contemporary physical therapy practice.
- Students will be actively engaged in community outreach in medically underserved communities.
- Students will successfully pass the Final Comp Exam at the end of the program.
- Students will achieve entry-level physical therapy clinical performance in the areas of professionalism, communication, clinical reasoning, and overall safety.
