Physical Therapy

DOCTOR of PHYSICAL THERAPY

Program Director
Mary Sinnott, PT, DPT
msinnott@temple.edu

What is the Doctor of Physical Therapy?

Physical therapists work to identify, prevent, improve, and ameliorate movement dysfunction in people who have or potentially have injury, disease, or inherited disorders. They base their examinations, diagnoses, and interventions on theory related to movement and behavior.

Physical therapists work in a variety of clinical and community examination settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric and geriatric treatment centers, extended care facilities, sports physical therapy centers, home health care, exercise centers, community agencies, schools, and out-patient practices. They also work in administrative and management positions in these clinical settings and as teachers and researchers.

Physical therapy offers opportunities for both employed positions and for self-employed practice with the potential for a rewarding, life-long career. The profession demands strong skills in critical thinking, writing, and the behavioral and biological sciences. These are also the skills that are requested of the program applicants.

What is Temple's program in Physical Therapy like?

Temple offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Students participate in a three year program with all academic and clinical course work in the academic semesters, leaving part of the summers available for work, travel, and other activities. The course work in the curriculum includes foundation sciences, such as anatomy and physiology; behavioral sciences, such as interpersonal communication and ethics; clinical sciences based on the neurological, musculoskeletal, and cardiopulmonary systems; research, culminating in a project; and clinical practice, including clerkships throughout the first year and two eighteen week internships in the second and third years.