Curriculum

The curriculum is conducted in the sequence below totaling 129 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

PT Professional I | 2

STEPs® I | 1

Structure and Function of the Human Body | 10

Movement Science | 4

Introduction to the Patient Examination | 5

Total Credits | 22

 

Session 2: 12 weeks total (2 STEPs®) | SPRING

PT Professional Practice II | 2

STEPs® II | 2

Healthcare Systems | 2

Foundational Integumentary Practice | 1

Exercise Prescription in the Continuum of Care | 2

Foundational Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Practice | 4

Pain Science | 2

Total Credits | 15

 

Session 3: 18 weeks total (1 STEPs®/1 break) | SUMMER

PT Professional Practice III | 2

STEPs® III | 1

Physical Therapy for the Older Adult | 2

Evidence Based Practice | 2

Adaptive Technology | 1

Foundational Musculoskeletal Practice | 12

Foundational Neurologic Practice | 8

Total Credits | 28

 

Year Two

Session 4: 17 weeks total (2 STEPs®) | FALL/SPRING

PT Professional Practice IV | 2

STEPs® IV | 2

Foundational Pediatric Practice | 4

Management of the Complex Patient | 2

Advanced Practice Courses (APC) 4 classes offered | 0-4*

Patient Management (CAMP) 1 class offered| 0-1*

Total Credits | 10 (min) - 15 (max)

 

Session 5: 13 weeks total | SPRING

PT Professional Practice V | 2

Advanced Practice Courses (APC) 8 classes offered | 0-8*

Patient Management (CAMP) 2 classes offered | 0-2*

Total Credits | 6-12

 

Session 6: 9 weeks total | SUMMER

PT Professional Practice VI | 2

Advanced Practice Courses (APC) 4 classes offered | 0-4*

Patient Management (CAMP) 1 class offered| 0-1*

Total Credits | 2 – 7*

*Students are required to take 12 APCs and 2 CAMPs over Sessions 4-6

 

Year Three

Session 7: 24 weeks total | FALL

Terminal Clinical Experience I | 12

Terminal Clinical Experience II | 12

Total Credits | 24

Session 8: 12 weeks total | SPRING

Terminal Clinical Experience III | 12

Total Credits | 12