The curriculum is conducted in the sequence below totaling 124 credit hours. Download as a PDF.
Please visit https://registrar.duke.edu/university-bulletins/school-medicine for more detailed curriculum information within the School of Medicine Bulletin.
Curriculum outline
Year 1
Session 1: 17 weeks total (1 STEPs®) | FALL
Structure and Function of the Human Body | 10
Movement Science | 4
Introduction to the Patient Examination | 5
Pain Science | 2
PT Professional 1 | 3
STEPs® 1 | 1
Total Credits | 25
Session 2: 12 weeks total (2 STEPs®) | SPRING
Exercise Prescription in the Continuum of Care | 2
Health Care Systems | 2
Foundational Integumentary Practice | 1
Evidenced Based Practice | 2
Prosthetics & Orthotics | 1
Foundational Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Practice | 4
PT Professional Practice 2 | 2
STEPs® 2 | 2
Total Credits | 16
Session 3: 17 weeks total (1 STEPs®/1 break) | SUMMER
Foundational Musculoskeletal Practice | 12
Physical Therapy for the Older Adult | 2
Foundational Neurologic Practice | 8
Foundational Pediatrics Practice | 4
PT Professional Practice 3 | 3
STEPs® 3 | 1
Total Credits | 30
Year Two
Session 4: 17 weeks total (2 STEPs®) | FALL/SPRING
Management of the Complex Patient | 2
PT Professional Practice 4 | 3
Advanced Practice Course 1 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 2 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 3 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 4 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 5 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 6 | 1
Patient Management 1 | 1
STEPs® 4 | 2
Total Credits | 14
Session 5: 14 weeks total | SPRING
PT Professional Practice 5 | 2
Advanced Practice Course 7 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 8 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 9 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 10 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 11 | 1
Advanced Practice Course 12 | 1
Patient Management 2 | 1
Total Credits | 9
Session 6: 15 weeks total | SUMMER
Terminal Clinical Experience 1 | 15
Total Credits | 15
Year Three
Session 7: 15 weeks total | FALL
Terminal Clinical Experience 2 | 15
Total Credits | 15