DPT计划旨在帮助学生计划和实施治疗，以帮助患者恢复因受伤或疾病而丧失的身体机能减弱，促进软组织愈合并缓解疼痛。确定损伤的程度可以使物理治疗师通过使用各种物理药物来减轻疼痛并通过治疗性锻炼来增强力量，耐力和协调性，从而帮助患者恢复全部功能。DPT计划的目的是为追求职业的学生提供帮助在物理治疗中，有机会获得安全实践物理治疗所需的知识和技能。学生已准备好成为通才，但也有机会通过大量的临床接触来研究物理疗法的特殊方面。该学习课程包括118个学分的研究生课程工作，并且包括为期3年的密集学术和临床工作。这些时间分为
The DPT Program is designed to prepare students to plan and administer treatment to help patients regain diminished physical function lost secondary to injury or disease, to promote soft tissue healing, and to relieve pain. Determining the degree of impairment allows physical therapists to help patients return to full function by using various physical agents to decrease pain and by using therapeutic exercises to increase strength, endurance, and coordination. <br><br>The purpose of the DPT Program is to provide students pursuing a career in physical therapy the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills required for the safe practice of physical therapy. Students are prepared as generalists, but also have some opportunity to investigate specialized aspects of physical therapy through numerous clinical exposures. The program of study consists of 118 credit hours of graduate course work and consists of intense academic and clinical work spread over 3 years. These hours are divided between classroom, clinical, and research activities.<br><br>The DPT Program is an entry-level professional degree program designed to provide individuals with baccalaureate degrees and the appropriate prerequisite courses the knowledge and skills to develop clinical and research expertise in the field of physical therapy. Upon receiving the DPT degree, students will be eligible to sit for the licensure examination in physical therapy.<br><br>The Mission of the WKU Doctor of Physical Therapy program is to prepare physical therapists who improve the quality of life of their patients and clients, especially in rural and underserved communities.<br><br>In addition to formal lecture and laboratory courses, students are required to successfully complete clinical experiences usually conducted at external agencies/facilities. Due to the nature of these experiences and to stipulations established by agencies/facilities, specific requirements for students may exist to be eligible to participate in the clinical experiences. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, undergoing criminal background checks, drug testing, and TB skin tests, providing proof of health insurance, professional liability insurance, and/or immunization records or blood titers verifying proof of immunizations. These items may need to be updated annually. Additionally, there may be certifications, training seminars, or other requirements specified by the facility/agency that a student must meet in order to be eligible for clinical experiences at a facility. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all institutional and/or facility requirements are met as a condition of participating in any on or off-campus experiences, students may be responsible in part or in full for any costs incurred to meet such requirements. Student questions regarding the agreements with external agencies may be directed to the Director of Clinical Education of the DPT Program. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from off-campus experiences.