Program Design

The purpose of Columbia’s DPT program is the preparation of competent physical therapists who, by virtue of their graduate education, can enter the health-care arena primarily as clinicians but with beginning skills in research, administration, and education.

Students come into the program with a strong foundation in the sciences as well as in the liberal arts. Columbia's program builds on and refines this knowledge base and helps learners develop skills related to concept formation, analysis, synthesis, problem-solving, and evidence-based practice.

The program is built on a curriculum that grounds the students in the following domains of learning necessary for entry-level practice:

1. Scientific foundations
2. Clinical sciences
3. Critical inquiry
4. Professional practice
5. Health-care systems and management
6. Electives
7. Clinical experiences

Upon graduation from the program, students will be able to affirm the following four broad performance outcomes that define a competent entry-level physical therapy clinician in today’s health-care system:

1. Conceptual competence: understanding the theoretical foundations of the profession
   1. Scientific foundations
   2. Clinical sciences
   3. Critical exploration
   4. Professional practice
   5. Health-care systems and management
   6. Electives
2. Technical competence: ability to perform skills required by the profession
   1. Clinical sciences
   2. Electives
   3. Integrated clinical experiences
   4. Clinical education I, II
3. Integrative competence: ability to merge theory and skills in the practice setting
   1. Critical exploration
   2. Integrated clinical experiences
   3. Clinical education I, II
   4. Clinical experiences
4. Career marketability
   1. Advanced topic courses
   2. Electives
   3. Terminal Clinical Experience